Head-to-head comparison
California State University-Long Beach vs West Coast University-Anaheim-Orange County: 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 Anaheim, CA
West Coast University-Anaheim-Orange County
- Net price / year
- $32,879
- Earnings, 10 years
- $102,672
- Payback
- 2.4 yrs
West Coast University-Anaheim-Orange County has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $131,516 in 2.4 years versus 2.6 years at California State University-Long Beach, on median earnings of $102,672 vs $64,403 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | California State University-Long Beach | West Coast University-Anaheim-Orange County |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $10,440 | $32,879 |
| Total net cost | $41,760 | $131,516 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $64,403 | $102,672 |
| Median debt | $14,289 | $32,946 |
| Payback | 2.6 yrs | 2.4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $279,100 | $954,724 |
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 West Coast University-Anaheim-Orange County?
California State University-Long Beach, at $10,440 a year after aid versus $32,879 — a gap of $22,439 a year, or $89,756 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 West Coast University-Anaheim-Orange County graduates earn more?
West Coast University-Anaheim-Orange County graduates report a median $102,672 ten years after entry, $38,269 more than the $64,403 at California State University-Long Beach. 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 West Coast University-Anaheim-Orange County?
California State University-Long Beach: its completers carry a median $14,289 in federal loans versus $32,946 at West Coast University-Anaheim-Orange County, a difference of $18,657. 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 60% at West Coast University-Anaheim-Orange County. 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.