Head-to-head comparison
California State University-Monterey Bay vs University of Redlands: 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 Redlands, CA
University of Redlands
- Net price / year
- $30,031
- Earnings, 10 years
- $72,690
- Payback
- 4.9 yrs
University of Redlands has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $120,124 in 4.9 years versus 5 years at California State University-Monterey Bay, on median earnings of $72,690 vs $59,247 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | California State University-Monterey Bay | University of Redlands |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,663 | $30,031 |
| Total net cost | $54,652 | $120,124 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $59,247 | $72,690 |
| Median debt | $12,750 | $26,000 |
| Payback | 5 yrs | 4.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $163,088 | $366,476 |
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 University of Redlands?
California State University-Monterey Bay, at $13,663 a year after aid versus $30,031 — a gap of $16,368 a year, or $65,472 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 University of Redlands graduates earn more?
University of Redlands graduates report a median $72,690 ten years after entry, $13,443 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 University of Redlands?
California State University-Monterey Bay: its completers carry a median $12,750 in federal loans versus $26,000 at University of Redlands, a difference of $13,250. 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?
67% of students finish at University of Redlands, 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.