San Diego State University vs San Diego Miramar 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 not at all at San Diego Miramar College, on median earnings of $64,909 vs $48,224 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | San Diego State University | San Diego Miramar College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $15,364 | $3,337 |
| Total net cost | $61,456 | $6,674 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $64,909 | $48,224 |
| Median debt | $15,000 | $6,750 |
| Payback | 3.7 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | $269,524 | -$9,394 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, San Diego State University or San Diego Miramar College?
San Diego Miramar College, at $3,337 a year after aid versus $15,364 — a gap of $12,027 a year, or $54,782 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 San Diego Miramar College graduates earn more?
San Diego State University graduates report a median $64,909 ten years after entry, $16,685 more than the $48,224 at San Diego Miramar 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, San Diego State University or San Diego Miramar College?
San Diego Miramar College: its completers carry a median $6,750 in federal loans versus $15,000 at San Diego State University, a difference of $8,250. 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 48% at San Diego Miramar 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.