Head-to-head comparison
California State University-Northridge vs Pacific College: 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 Costa Mesa, CA
Pacific College
- Net price / year
- $29,363
- Earnings, 10 years
- $70,064
- Payback
- 2.7 yrs
California State University-Northridge has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $28,084 in 2.6 years versus 2.7 years at Pacific College, on median earnings of $59,115 vs $70,064 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | California State University-Northridge | Pacific College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $7,021 | $29,363 |
| Total net cost | $28,084 | $58,726 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $59,115 | $70,064 |
| Median debt | $13,872 | $22,469 |
| Payback | 2.6 yrs | 2.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $187,016 | $375,354 |
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 Pacific College?
California State University-Northridge, at $7,021 a year after aid versus $29,363 — a gap of $22,342 a year, or $30,642 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 Pacific College graduates earn more?
Pacific College graduates report a median $70,064 ten years after entry, $10,949 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 Pacific College?
California State University-Northridge: its completers carry a median $13,872 in federal loans versus $22,469 at Pacific College, a difference of $8,597. 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?
63% of students finish at Pacific College, against 57% at California State University-Northridge. 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.