University of Southern California vs California State University-Los Angeles: which has better ROI?
California State University-Los Angeles has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $15,868 in 1.5 years versus 3 years at University of Southern California, on median earnings of $59,211 vs $92,498 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Southern California | California State University-Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $32,740 | $3,967 |
| Total net cost | $130,960 | $15,868 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $92,498 | $59,211 |
| Median debt | $18,000 | $13,000 |
| Payback | 3 yrs | 1.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $751,800 | $201,152 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Southern California or California State University-Los Angeles?
California State University-Los Angeles, at $3,967 a year after aid versus $32,740 — a gap of $28,773 a year, or $115,092 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 Southern California or California State University-Los Angeles graduates earn more?
University of Southern California graduates report a median $92,498 ten years after entry, $33,287 more than the $59,211 at California State University-Los Angeles. 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 Southern California or California State University-Los Angeles?
California State University-Los Angeles: its completers carry a median $13,000 in federal loans versus $18,000 at University of Southern California, a difference of $5,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
92% of students finish at University of Southern California, against 53% at California State University-Los Angeles. 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.