San Francisco State University vs City College of San Francisco: which has better ROI?
San Francisco State University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $49,112 in 2.5 years versus not at all at City College of San Francisco, on median earnings of $68,077 vs $45,805 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | San Francisco State University | City College of San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,278 | $6,906 |
| Total net cost | $49,112 | $27,624 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $68,077 | $45,805 |
| Median debt | $15,371 | $8,218 |
| Payback | 2.5 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | $345,228 | -$78,724 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, San Francisco State University or City College of San Francisco?
City College of San Francisco, at $6,906 a year after aid versus $12,278 — a gap of $5,372 a year, or $21,488 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 Francisco State University or City College of San Francisco graduates earn more?
San Francisco State University graduates report a median $68,077 ten years after entry, $22,272 more than the $45,805 at City College of San Francisco. 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 Francisco State University or City College of San Francisco?
City College of San Francisco: its completers carry a median $8,218 in federal loans versus $15,371 at San Francisco State University, a difference of $7,153. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
50% of students finish at San Francisco State University, against 40% at City College of San Francisco. 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.