Head-to-head comparison
California State University-East Bay vs California State University-Stanislaus: which has better ROI?
Option A Hayward, CA
California State University-East Bay
- Net price / year
- $9,320
- Earnings, 10 years
- $71,401
- Payback
- 1.6 yrs
Option B Turlock, CA
California State University-Stanislaus
- Net price / year
- $6,067
- Earnings, 10 years
- $63,188
- Payback
- 1.6 yrs
California State University-East Bay has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $37,280 in 1.6 years versus 1.6 years at California State University-Stanislaus, on median earnings of $71,401 vs $63,188 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | California State University-East Bay | California State University-Stanislaus |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $9,320 | $6,067 |
| Total net cost | $37,280 | $24,268 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $71,401 | $63,188 |
| Median debt | $16,544 | $13,540 |
| Payback | 1.6 yrs | 1.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $423,540 | $272,292 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, California State University-East Bay or California State University-Stanislaus?
California State University-Stanislaus, at $6,067 a year after aid versus $9,320 — a gap of $3,253 a year, or $13,012 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-East Bay or California State University-Stanislaus graduates earn more?
California State University-East Bay graduates report a median $71,401 ten years after entry, $8,213 more than the $63,188 at California State University-Stanislaus. 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-East Bay or California State University-Stanislaus?
California State University-Stanislaus: its completers carry a median $13,540 in federal loans versus $16,544 at California State University-East Bay, a difference of $3,004. 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?
53% of students finish at California State University-Stanislaus, against 48% at California State University-East Bay. 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.