Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

Las Positas College vs Mission College: which has better ROI?

Public, Livermore CA · vs · Public, Santa Clara CA

The verdict

Las Positas College has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $10,754 in 3.9 years versus 3.9 years at Mission College, on median earnings of $51,088 vs $50,936 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureLas Positas CollegeMission College
Net price / yr$5,377$5,080
Total net cost$10,754$10,160
Median earnings, 10 yrs$51,088$50,936
Median debt
Payback3.9 yrs3.9 yrs
20-year net return$43,806$41,360

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Las Positas College or Mission College?

Mission College, at $5,080 a year after aid versus $5,377 — a gap of $297 a year, or $594 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Las Positas College or Mission College graduates earn more?

Las Positas College graduates report a median $51,088 ten years after entry, $152 more than the $50,936 at Mission 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 graduates more of its students?

53% of students finish at Las Positas College, against 39% at Mission 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.

Las Positas College vs Mission College: frequently asked questions

Is Las Positas College or Mission College a better value?
Las Positas College. It clears its $10,754 net cost in about 3.9 years versus 3.9 years at Mission College, on median earnings of $51,088 vs $50,936 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Las Positas College or Mission College?
Mission College: $5,080/yr net price after aid versus $5,377/yr at Las Positas College — a difference of $297 a year, or about $594 over four years.
Do Las Positas College or Mission College graduates earn more?
Las Positas College graduates earn a median $51,088 ten years after entry, versus $50,936 at Mission College — a $152 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.