Head-to-head comparison
California State University-Northridge vs California State University-San Marcos: which has better ROI?
Option A Northridge, CA
California State University-Northridge
- Net price / year
- $7,021
- Earnings, 10 years
- $59,115
- Payback
- 2.6 yrs
Option B San Marcos, CA
California State University-San Marcos
- Net price / year
- $10,229
- Earnings, 10 years
- $62,908
- Payback
- 2.8 yrs
California State University-Northridge has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $28,084 in 2.6 years versus 2.8 years at California State University-San Marcos, on median earnings of $59,115 vs $62,908 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | California State University-Northridge | California State University-San Marcos |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $7,021 | $10,229 |
| Total net cost | $28,084 | $40,916 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $59,115 | $62,908 |
| Median debt | $13,872 | $17,350 |
| Payback | 2.6 yrs | 2.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $187,016 | $250,044 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, California State University-Northridge or California State University-San Marcos?
California State University-Northridge, at $7,021 a year after aid versus $10,229 — a gap of $3,208 a year, or $12,832 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-Northridge or California State University-San Marcos graduates earn more?
California State University-San Marcos graduates report a median $62,908 ten years after entry, $3,793 more than the $59,115 at California State University-Northridge. 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-Northridge or California State University-San Marcos?
California State University-Northridge: its completers carry a median $13,872 in federal loans versus $17,350 at California State University-San Marcos, a difference of $3,478. 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?
57% of students finish at California State University-Northridge, against 55% at California State University-San Marcos. 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.