Head-to-head comparison
California State University-Los Angeles vs Los Angeles City 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 Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles City College
- Net price / year
- $10,261
- Earnings, 10 years
- $36,190
- Payback
- No payback
California State University-Los Angeles has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $15,868 in 1.5 years versus not at all at Los Angeles City College, on median earnings of $59,211 vs $36,190 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | California State University-Los Angeles | Los Angeles City College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $3,967 | $10,261 |
| Total net cost | $15,868 | $20,522 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $59,211 | $36,190 |
| Median debt | $13,000 | $12,750 |
| Payback | 1.5 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | $201,152 | -$263,922 |
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 Los Angeles City College?
California State University-Los Angeles, at $3,967 a year after aid versus $10,261 — a gap of $6,294 a year, or $4,654 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 Los Angeles City College graduates earn more?
California State University-Los Angeles graduates report a median $59,211 ten years after entry, $23,021 more than the $36,190 at Los Angeles City College. 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 Los Angeles City College?
Los Angeles City College: its completers carry a median $12,750 in federal loans versus $13,000 at California State University-Los Angeles, a difference of $250. 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-Los Angeles, against 29% at Los Angeles City College. 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.