Head-to-head comparison
California State University-Los Angeles vs Harvey Mudd College: which has better ROI?
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 Claremont, CA
Harvey Mudd College
- Net price / year
- $35,924
- Earnings, 10 years
- $138,687
- Payback
- 1.6 yrs
California State University-Los Angeles has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $15,868 in 1.5 years versus 1.6 years at Harvey Mudd College, on median earnings of $59,211 vs $138,687 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | California State University-Los Angeles | Harvey Mudd College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $3,967 | $35,924 |
| Total net cost | $15,868 | $143,696 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $59,211 | $138,687 |
| Median debt | $13,000 | $25,000 |
| Payback | 1.5 yrs | 1.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $201,152 | $1,662,844 |
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 Harvey Mudd College?
California State University-Los Angeles, at $3,967 a year after aid versus $35,924 — a gap of $31,957 a year, or $127,828 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 Harvey Mudd College graduates earn more?
Harvey Mudd College graduates report a median $138,687 ten years after entry, $79,476 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 leaves students with less debt, California State University-Los Angeles or Harvey Mudd College?
California State University-Los Angeles: its completers carry a median $13,000 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Harvey Mudd College, a difference of $12,000. 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?
92% of students finish at Harvey Mudd College, 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.