College of San Mateo vs Skyline College: 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 0.5 years at Skyline College, on median earnings of $54,172 vs $55,702 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | College of San Mateo | Skyline College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $536 | $1,738 |
| Total net cost | $1,072 | $3,476 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $54,172 | $55,702 |
| Median debt | $14,695 | — |
| Payback | 0.2 yrs | 0.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $115,168 | $143,364 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, College of San Mateo or Skyline College?
College of San Mateo, at $536 a year after aid versus $1,738 — a gap of $1,202 a year, or $2,404 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 Skyline College graduates earn more?
Skyline College graduates report a median $55,702 ten years after entry, $1,530 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?
61% of students finish at College of San Mateo, against 44% at Skyline 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.