College of San Mateo vs California Institute of Technology: which has better ROI?
College of San Mateo has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $1,072 in 0.2 years versus 0.8 years at California Institute of Technology, on median earnings of $54,172 vs $128,566 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | College of San Mateo | California Institute of Technology |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $536 | $16,075 |
| Total net cost | $1,072 | $64,300 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $54,172 | $128,566 |
| Median debt | $14,695 | — |
| Payback | 0.2 yrs | 0.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $115,168 | $1,539,820 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, College of San Mateo or California Institute of Technology?
College of San Mateo, at $536 a year after aid versus $16,075 — a gap of $15,539 a year, or $63,228 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do College of San Mateo or California Institute of Technology graduates earn more?
California Institute of Technology graduates report a median $128,566 ten years after entry, $74,394 more than the $54,172 at College of San Mateo. 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 graduates more of its students?
94% of students finish at California Institute of Technology, against 61% at College of San Mateo. 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.