Degree Dividend
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Las Positas College vs University of San Francisco: which has better ROI?

Public, Livermore CA · vs · Private nonprofit, San Francisco 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 4 years at University of San Francisco, on median earnings of $51,088 vs $89,812 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureLas Positas CollegeUniversity of San Francisco
Net price / yr$5,377$41,431
Total net cost$10,754$165,724
Median earnings, 10 yrs$51,088$89,812
Median debt$23,000
Payback3.9 yrs4 yrs
20-year net return$43,806$663,316

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

Which is cheaper, Las Positas College or University of San Francisco?

Las Positas College, at $5,377 a year after aid versus $41,431 — a gap of $36,054 a year, or $154,970 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 University of San Francisco graduates earn more?

University of San Francisco graduates report a median $89,812 ten years after entry, $38,724 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 University of San Francisco, 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.

Las Positas College vs University of San Francisco: frequently asked questions

Is Las Positas College or University of San Francisco a better value?
Las Positas College. It clears its $10,754 net cost in about 3.9 years versus 4 years at University of San Francisco, on median earnings of $51,088 vs $89,812 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Las Positas College or University of San Francisco?
Las Positas College: $5,377/yr net price after aid versus $41,431/yr at University of San Francisco — a difference of $36,054 a year, or about $154,970 over four years.
Do Las Positas College or University of San Francisco graduates earn more?
University of San Francisco graduates earn a median $89,812 ten years after entry, versus $51,088 at Las Positas College — a $38,724 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.