Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

Mission College vs University of San Francisco: which has better ROI?

Public, Santa Clara CA · vs · Private nonprofit, San Francisco CA

The verdict

Mission College has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $10,160 in 3.9 years versus 4 years at University of San Francisco, on median earnings of $50,936 vs $89,812 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureMission CollegeUniversity of San Francisco
Net price / yr$5,080$41,431
Total net cost$10,160$165,724
Median earnings, 10 yrs$50,936$89,812
Median debt$23,000
Payback3.9 yrs4 yrs
20-year net return$41,360$663,316

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

Which is cheaper, Mission College or University of San Francisco?

Mission College, at $5,080 a year after aid versus $41,431 — a gap of $36,351 a year, or $155,564 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 University of San Francisco graduates earn more?

University of San Francisco graduates report a median $89,812 ten years after entry, $38,876 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 University of San Francisco, 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.

Mission College vs University of San Francisco: frequently asked questions

Is Mission College or University of San Francisco a better value?
Mission College. It clears its $10,160 net cost in about 3.9 years versus 4 years at University of San Francisco, on median earnings of $50,936 vs $89,812 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Mission College or University of San Francisco?
Mission College: $5,080/yr net price after aid versus $41,431/yr at University of San Francisco — a difference of $36,351 a year, or about $155,564 over four years.
Do Mission College or University of San Francisco graduates earn more?
University of San Francisco graduates earn a median $89,812 ten years after entry, versus $50,936 at Mission College — a $38,876 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.