Foothill College vs Mount Saint Mary's University: which has better ROI?
Foothill College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $30,612 in 3.5 years versus 3.6 years at Mount Saint Mary's University, on median earnings of $57,072 vs $72,379 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Foothill College | Mount Saint Mary's University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $7,653 | $21,413 |
| Total net cost | $30,612 | $85,652 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $57,072 | $72,379 |
| Median debt | $10,500 | $25,949 |
| Payback | 3.5 yrs | 3.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $143,628 | $394,728 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Foothill College or Mount Saint Mary's University?
Foothill College, at $7,653 a year after aid versus $21,413 — a gap of $13,760 a year, or $55,040 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Foothill College or Mount Saint Mary's University graduates earn more?
Mount Saint Mary's University graduates report a median $72,379 ten years after entry, $15,307 more than the $57,072 at Foothill 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, Foothill College or Mount Saint Mary's University?
Foothill College: its completers carry a median $10,500 in federal loans versus $25,949 at Mount Saint Mary's University, a difference of $15,449. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
56% of students finish at Foothill College, against 53% at Mount Saint Mary's University. 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.