College of San Mateo vs Canada College: which has better ROI?
Canada College has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $64 in 0 years versus 0.2 years at College of San Mateo, on median earnings of $50,087 vs $54,172 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | College of San Mateo | Canada College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $536 | $32 |
| Total net cost | $1,072 | $64 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $54,172 | $50,087 |
| Median debt | $14,695 | — |
| Payback | 0.2 yrs | 0 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $115,168 | $34,476 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, College of San Mateo or Canada College?
Canada College, at $32 a year after aid versus $536 — a gap of $504 a year, or $1,008 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 Canada College graduates earn more?
College of San Mateo graduates report a median $54,172 ten years after entry, $4,085 more than the $50,087 at Canada College. 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?
61% of students finish at College of San Mateo, against 47% at Canada College. 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.