Head-to-head comparison
California State University-Chico vs Mount Saint Mary's University: which has better ROI?
Option A Chico, CA
California State University-Chico
- Net price / year
- $14,480
- Earnings, 10 years
- $64,172
- Payback
- 3.7 yrs
Option B Los Angeles, CA
Mount Saint Mary's University
- Net price / year
- $21,413
- Earnings, 10 years
- $72,379
- Payback
- 3.6 yrs
Mount Saint Mary's University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $85,652 in 3.6 years versus 3.7 years at California State University-Chico, on median earnings of $72,379 vs $64,172 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | California State University-Chico | Mount Saint Mary's University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $14,480 | $21,413 |
| Total net cost | $57,920 | $85,652 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $64,172 | $72,379 |
| Median debt | $16,552 | $25,949 |
| Payback | 3.7 yrs | 3.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $258,320 | $394,728 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, California State University-Chico or Mount Saint Mary's University?
California State University-Chico, at $14,480 a year after aid versus $21,413 — a gap of $6,933 a year, or $27,732 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do California State University-Chico or Mount Saint Mary's University graduates earn more?
Mount Saint Mary's University graduates report a median $72,379 ten years after entry, $8,207 more than the $64,172 at California State University-Chico. 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.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, California State University-Chico or Mount Saint Mary's University?
California State University-Chico: its completers carry a median $16,552 in federal loans versus $25,949 at Mount Saint Mary's University, a difference of $9,397. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
63% of students finish at California State University-Chico, 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.