De Anza College vs California State University-San Bernardino: which has better ROI?
California State University-San Bernardino has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $18,256 in 1.6 years versus 1.6 years at De Anza College, on median earnings of $59,977 vs $56,596 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | De Anza College | California State University-San Bernardino |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $6,642 | $4,564 |
| Total net cost | $13,284 | $18,256 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $56,596 | $59,977 |
| Median debt | $5,625 | $14,715 |
| Payback | 1.6 yrs | 1.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $151,436 | $214,084 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, De Anza College or California State University-San Bernardino?
California State University-San Bernardino, at $4,564 a year after aid versus $6,642 — a gap of $2,078 a year, or $4,972 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do De Anza College or California State University-San Bernardino graduates earn more?
California State University-San Bernardino graduates report a median $59,977 ten years after entry, $3,381 more than the $56,596 at De Anza 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 leaves students with less debt, De Anza College or California State University-San Bernardino?
De Anza College: its completers carry a median $5,625 in federal loans versus $14,715 at California State University-San Bernardino, a difference of $9,090. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
68% of students finish at De Anza College, against 55% at California State University-San Bernardino. 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.