San Jose State University vs San Jose City College: which has better ROI?
San Jose State University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $55,040 in 1.8 years versus not at all at San Jose City College, on median earnings of $78,988 vs $46,215 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | San Jose State University | San Jose City College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,760 | $16,959 |
| Total net cost | $55,040 | $33,918 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $78,988 | $46,215 |
| Median debt | $15,000 | — |
| Payback | 1.8 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | $557,520 | -$76,818 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, San Jose State University or San Jose City College?
San Jose State University, at $13,760 a year after aid versus $16,959 — a gap of $3,199 a year, or $21,122 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 Jose State University or San Jose City College graduates earn more?
San Jose State University graduates report a median $78,988 ten years after entry, $32,773 more than the $46,215 at San Jose City 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?
69% of students finish at San Jose State University, against 34% at San Jose City 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.