Mission College vs Saint Mary's College of California: which has better ROI?
Mission College has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $10,160 in 3.9 years versus 4 years at Saint Mary's College of California, on median earnings of $50,936 vs $78,812 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Mission College | Saint Mary's College of California |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $5,080 | $30,378 |
| Total net cost | $10,160 | $121,512 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $50,936 | $78,812 |
| Median debt | — | $23,691 |
| Payback | 3.9 yrs | 4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $41,360 | $487,528 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Mission College or Saint Mary's College of California?
Mission College, at $5,080 a year after aid versus $30,378 — a gap of $25,298 a year, or $111,352 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Mission 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, $27,876 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?
70% of students finish at Saint Mary's College of California, 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.