Las Positas College vs Saint Mary's College of California: which has better ROI?
Las Positas College has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $10,754 in 3.9 years versus 4 years at Saint Mary's College of California, on median earnings of $51,088 vs $78,812 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Las Positas College | Saint Mary's College of California |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $5,377 | $30,378 |
| Total net cost | $10,754 | $121,512 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $51,088 | $78,812 |
| Median debt | — | $23,691 |
| Payback | 3.9 yrs | 4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $43,806 | $487,528 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Las Positas College or Saint Mary's College of California?
Las Positas College, at $5,377 a year after aid versus $30,378 — a gap of $25,001 a year, or $110,758 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 Saint Mary's College of California graduates earn more?
Saint Mary's College of California graduates report a median $78,812 ten years after entry, $27,724 more than the $51,088 at Las Positas 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?
70% of students finish at Saint Mary's College of California, against 53% at Las Positas 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.