Evergreen Valley College vs California State University-Monterey Bay: which has better ROI?
California State University-Monterey Bay has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $54,652 in 5 years versus 5.3 years at Evergreen Valley College, on median earnings of $59,247 vs $53,077 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Evergreen Valley College | California State University-Monterey Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,414 | $13,663 |
| Total net cost | $24,828 | $54,652 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $53,077 | $59,247 |
| Median debt | $13,219 | $12,750 |
| Payback | 5.3 yrs | 5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $69,512 | $163,088 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Evergreen Valley College or California State University-Monterey Bay?
Evergreen Valley College, at $12,414 a year after aid versus $13,663 — a gap of $1,249 a year, or $29,824 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Evergreen Valley College or California State University-Monterey Bay graduates earn more?
California State University-Monterey Bay graduates report a median $59,247 ten years after entry, $6,170 more than the $53,077 at Evergreen Valley 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, Evergreen Valley College or California State University-Monterey Bay?
California State University-Monterey Bay: its completers carry a median $12,750 in federal loans versus $13,219 at Evergreen Valley College, a difference of $469. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
59% of students finish at California State University-Monterey Bay, against 41% at Evergreen Valley 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.