City College of San Francisco vs University of San Francisco: which has better ROI?
University of San Francisco has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $165,724 in 4 years versus not at all at City College of San Francisco, on median earnings of $89,812 vs $45,805 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | City College of San Francisco | University of San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $6,906 | $41,431 |
| Total net cost | $27,624 | $165,724 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $45,805 | $89,812 |
| Median debt | $8,218 | $23,000 |
| Payback | — | 4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$78,724 | $663,316 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, City College of San Francisco or University of San Francisco?
City College of San Francisco, at $6,906 a year after aid versus $41,431 — a gap of $34,525 a year, or $138,100 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do City College of San Francisco or University of San Francisco graduates earn more?
University of San Francisco graduates report a median $89,812 ten years after entry, $44,007 more than the $45,805 at City College of San Francisco. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, City College of San Francisco or University of San Francisco?
City College of San Francisco: its completers carry a median $8,218 in federal loans versus $23,000 at University of San Francisco, a difference of $14,782. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
70% of students finish at University of San Francisco, against 40% at City College of San Francisco. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.