San Diego State University vs Ohlone College: 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 3.8 years at Ohlone College, on median earnings of $64,909 vs $54,278 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | San Diego State University | Ohlone College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $15,364 | $11,130 |
| Total net cost | $61,456 | $22,260 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $64,909 | $54,278 |
| Median debt | $15,000 | — |
| Payback | 3.7 yrs | 3.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $269,524 | $96,100 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, San Diego State University or Ohlone College?
Ohlone College, at $11,130 a year after aid versus $15,364 — a gap of $4,234 a year, or $39,196 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 Ohlone College graduates earn more?
San Diego State University graduates report a median $64,909 ten years after entry, $10,631 more than the $54,278 at Ohlone 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?
76% of students finish at San Diego State University, against 52% at Ohlone 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.