University of California-Santa Cruz vs Mount Saint Mary's University: which has better ROI?
Mount Saint Mary's University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $85,652 in 3.6 years versus 3.6 years at University of California-Santa Cruz, on median earnings of $72,379 vs $68,396 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of California-Santa Cruz | Mount Saint Mary's University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,890 | $21,413 |
| Total net cost | $71,560 | $85,652 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $68,396 | $72,379 |
| Median debt | $16,666 | $25,949 |
| Payback | 3.6 yrs | 3.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $329,160 | $394,728 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of California-Santa Cruz or Mount Saint Mary's University?
University of California-Santa Cruz, at $17,890 a year after aid versus $21,413 — a gap of $3,523 a year, or $14,092 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-Santa Cruz or Mount Saint Mary's University graduates earn more?
Mount Saint Mary's University graduates report a median $72,379 ten years after entry, $3,983 more than the $68,396 at University of California-Santa Cruz. 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-Santa Cruz or Mount Saint Mary's University?
University of California-Santa Cruz: its completers carry a median $16,666 in federal loans versus $25,949 at Mount Saint Mary's University, a difference of $9,283. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
75% of students finish at University of California-Santa Cruz, against 53% at Mount Saint Mary's 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.