San Diego State University vs California State University-Chico: which has better ROI?
San Diego State University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $61,456 in 3.7 years versus 3.7 years at California State University-Chico, on median earnings of $64,909 vs $64,172 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | San Diego State University | California State University-Chico |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $15,364 | $14,480 |
| Total net cost | $61,456 | $57,920 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $64,909 | $64,172 |
| Median debt | $15,000 | $16,552 |
| Payback | 3.7 yrs | 3.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $269,524 | $258,320 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, San Diego State University or California State University-Chico?
California State University-Chico, at $14,480 a year after aid versus $15,364 — a gap of $884 a year, or $3,536 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do San Diego State University or California State University-Chico graduates earn more?
San Diego State University graduates report a median $64,909 ten years after entry, $737 more than the $64,172 at California State University-Chico. 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, San Diego State University or California State University-Chico?
San Diego State University: its completers carry a median $15,000 in federal loans versus $16,552 at California State University-Chico, a difference of $1,552. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
76% of students finish at San Diego State University, against 63% at California State University-Chico. 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.