University of California-Riverside vs California State University-San Marcos: which has better ROI?
California State University-San Marcos has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $40,916 in 2.8 years versus 3 years at University of California-Riverside, on median earnings of $62,908 vs $67,699 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of California-Riverside | California State University-San Marcos |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $14,304 | $10,229 |
| Total net cost | $57,216 | $40,916 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $67,699 | $62,908 |
| Median debt | $17,500 | $17,350 |
| Payback | 3 yrs | 2.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $329,564 | $250,044 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of California-Riverside or California State University-San Marcos?
California State University-San Marcos, at $10,229 a year after aid versus $14,304 — a gap of $4,075 a year, or $16,300 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University of California-Riverside or California State University-San Marcos graduates earn more?
University of California-Riverside graduates report a median $67,699 ten years after entry, $4,791 more than the $62,908 at California State University-San Marcos. 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, University of California-Riverside or California State University-San Marcos?
California State University-San Marcos: its completers carry a median $17,350 in federal loans versus $17,500 at University of California-Riverside, a difference of $150. 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 University of California-Riverside, against 55% at California State University-San Marcos. 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.