College of San Mateo vs Stanford University: 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 0.7 years at Stanford University, on median earnings of $54,172 vs $124,080 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | College of San Mateo | Stanford University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $536 | $13,807 |
| Total net cost | $1,072 | $55,228 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $54,172 | $124,080 |
| Median debt | $14,695 | $12,000 |
| Payback | 0.2 yrs | 0.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $115,168 | $1,459,172 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, College of San Mateo or Stanford University?
College of San Mateo, at $536 a year after aid versus $13,807 — a gap of $13,271 a year, or $54,156 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 Stanford University graduates earn more?
Stanford University graduates report a median $124,080 ten years after entry, $69,908 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 leaves students with less debt, College of San Mateo or Stanford University?
Stanford University: its completers carry a median $12,000 in federal loans versus $14,695 at College of San Mateo, a difference of $2,695. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
92% of students finish at Stanford University, 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.