Head-to-head comparison
California State University-Long Beach vs California State University-San Marcos: which has better ROI?
Option A Long Beach, CA
California State University-Long Beach
- Net price / year
- $10,440
- Earnings, 10 years
- $64,403
- Payback
- 2.6 yrs
Option B San Marcos, CA
California State University-San Marcos
- Net price / year
- $10,229
- Earnings, 10 years
- $62,908
- Payback
- 2.8 yrs
California State University-Long Beach has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $41,760 in 2.6 years versus 2.8 years at California State University-San Marcos, on median earnings of $64,403 vs $62,908 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | California State University-Long Beach | California State University-San Marcos |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $10,440 | $10,229 |
| Total net cost | $41,760 | $40,916 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $64,403 | $62,908 |
| Median debt | $14,289 | $17,350 |
| Payback | 2.6 yrs | 2.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $279,100 | $250,044 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, California State University-Long Beach or California State University-San Marcos?
California State University-San Marcos, at $10,229 a year after aid versus $10,440 — a gap of $211 a year, or $844 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-Long Beach or California State University-San Marcos graduates earn more?
California State University-Long Beach graduates report a median $64,403 ten years after entry, $1,495 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.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, California State University-Long Beach or California State University-San Marcos?
California State University-Long Beach: its completers carry a median $14,289 in federal loans versus $17,350 at California State University-San Marcos, a difference of $3,061. 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?
69% of students finish at California State University-Long Beach, 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.