San Francisco State University vs West Coast University-Anaheim-Orange County: which has better ROI?
West Coast University-Anaheim-Orange County has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $131,516 in 2.4 years versus 2.5 years at San Francisco State University, on median earnings of $102,672 vs $68,077 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | San Francisco State University | West Coast University-Anaheim-Orange County |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,278 | $32,879 |
| Total net cost | $49,112 | $131,516 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $68,077 | $102,672 |
| Median debt | $15,371 | $32,946 |
| Payback | 2.5 yrs | 2.4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $345,228 | $954,724 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, San Francisco State University or West Coast University-Anaheim-Orange County?
San Francisco State University, at $12,278 a year after aid versus $32,879 — a gap of $20,601 a year, or $82,404 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 West Coast University-Anaheim-Orange County graduates earn more?
West Coast University-Anaheim-Orange County graduates report a median $102,672 ten years after entry, $34,595 more than the $68,077 at San Francisco State University. 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 West Coast University-Anaheim-Orange County?
San Francisco State University: its completers carry a median $15,371 in federal loans versus $32,946 at West Coast University-Anaheim-Orange County, a difference of $17,575. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
60% of students finish at West Coast University-Anaheim-Orange County, against 50% at San Francisco State University. 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.