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Head-to-head comparison

California State University-Los Angeles vs California Institute of Technology: which has better ROI?

Public, Los Angeles CA · vs · Private nonprofit, Pasadena CA

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

Option A Los Angeles, CA

California State University-Los Angeles

Net price / year
$3,967
Earnings, 10 years
$59,211
Payback
1.5 yrs

Option B Pasadena, CA

California Institute of Technology

Net price / year
$16,075
Earnings, 10 years
$128,566
Payback
0.8 yrs
The verdict

California Institute of Technology has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $64,300 in 0.8 years versus 1.5 years at California State University-Los Angeles, on median earnings of $128,566 vs $59,211 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureCalifornia State University-Los AngelesCalifornia Institute of Technology
Net price / yr$3,967$16,075
Total net cost$15,868$64,300
Median earnings, 10 yrs$59,211$128,566
Median debt$13,000—
Payback1.5 yrs0.8 yrs
20-year net return$201,152$1,539,820

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

The short answer

Which is cheaper, California State University-Los Angeles or California Institute of Technology?

California State University-Los Angeles, at $3,967 a year after aid versus $16,075 — a gap of $12,108 a year, or $48,432 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-Los Angeles or California Institute of Technology graduates earn more?

California Institute of Technology graduates report a median $128,566 ten years after entry, $69,355 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.

The short answer

Which graduates more of its students?

94% of students finish at California Institute of Technology, 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.

California State University-Los Angeles vs California Institute of Technology: frequently asked questions

Is California State University-Los Angeles or California Institute of Technology a better value?
California Institute of Technology. It clears its $64,300 net cost in about 0.8 years versus 1.5 years at California State University-Los Angeles, on median earnings of $128,566 vs $59,211 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, California State University-Los Angeles or California Institute of Technology?
California State University-Los Angeles: $3,967/yr net price after aid versus $16,075/yr at California Institute of Technology — a difference of $12,108 a year, or about $48,432 over four years.
Do California State University-Los Angeles or California Institute of Technology graduates earn more?
California Institute of Technology graduates earn a median $128,566 ten years after entry, versus $59,211 at California State University-Los Angeles — a $69,355 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.