Moorpark College vs College of San Mateo: which has better ROI?
Moorpark College has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of -$4,592 in -6.7 years versus 0.2 years at College of San Mateo, on median earnings of $49,044 vs $54,172 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Moorpark College | College of San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | -$2,296 | $536 |
| Total net cost | -$4,592 | $1,072 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $49,044 | $54,172 |
| Median debt | $9,500 | $14,695 |
| Payback | -6.7 yrs | 0.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $18,272 | $115,168 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Moorpark College or College of San Mateo?
Moorpark College, at -$2,296 a year after aid versus $536 — a gap of $2,832 a year, or $5,664 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Moorpark College or College of San Mateo graduates earn more?
College of San Mateo graduates report a median $54,172 ten years after entry, $5,128 more than the $49,044 at Moorpark 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 leaves students with less debt, Moorpark College or College of San Mateo?
Moorpark College: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $14,695 at College of San Mateo, a difference of $5,195. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
61% of students finish at College of San Mateo, against 44% at Moorpark 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.