Head-to-head comparison
California State University-Monterey Bay vs Azusa Pacific University: which has better ROI?
Option A Seaside, CA
California State University-Monterey Bay
- Net price / year
- $13,663
- Earnings, 10 years
- $59,247
- Payback
- 5 yrs
Option B Azusa, CA
Azusa Pacific University
- Net price / year
- $22,212
- Earnings, 10 years
- $66,677
- Payback
- 4.9 yrs
Azusa Pacific University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $88,848 in 4.9 years versus 5 years at California State University-Monterey Bay, on median earnings of $66,677 vs $59,247 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | California State University-Monterey Bay | Azusa Pacific University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,663 | $22,212 |
| Total net cost | $54,652 | $88,848 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $59,247 | $66,677 |
| Median debt | $12,750 | $23,219 |
| Payback | 5 yrs | 4.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $163,088 | $277,492 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, California State University-Monterey Bay or Azusa Pacific University?
California State University-Monterey Bay, at $13,663 a year after aid versus $22,212 — a gap of $8,549 a year, or $34,196 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-Monterey Bay or Azusa Pacific University graduates earn more?
Azusa Pacific University graduates report a median $66,677 ten years after entry, $7,430 more than the $59,247 at California State University-Monterey Bay. 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-Monterey Bay or Azusa Pacific University?
California State University-Monterey Bay: its completers carry a median $12,750 in federal loans versus $23,219 at Azusa Pacific University, a difference of $10,469. 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?
62% of students finish at Azusa Pacific University, against 59% at California State University-Monterey Bay. 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.