Head-to-head comparison
California State University-San Marcos vs California State University-Channel Islands: which has better ROI?
Option A San Marcos, CA
California State University-San Marcos
- Net price / year
- $10,229
- Earnings, 10 years
- $62,908
- Payback
- 2.8 yrs
Option B Camarillo, CA
California State University-Channel Islands
- Net price / year
- $9,849
- Earnings, 10 years
- $62,152
- Payback
- 2.9 yrs
California State University-San Marcos has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $40,916 in 2.8 years versus 2.9 years at California State University-Channel Islands, on median earnings of $62,908 vs $62,152 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | California State University-San Marcos | California State University-Channel Islands |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $10,229 | $9,849 |
| Total net cost | $40,916 | $39,396 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $62,908 | $62,152 |
| Median debt | $17,350 | $15,000 |
| Payback | 2.8 yrs | 2.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $250,044 | $236,444 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, California State University-San Marcos or California State University-Channel Islands?
California State University-Channel Islands, at $9,849 a year after aid versus $10,229 — a gap of $380 a year, or $1,520 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-San Marcos or California State University-Channel Islands graduates earn more?
California State University-San Marcos graduates report a median $62,908 ten years after entry, $756 more than the $62,152 at California State University-Channel Islands. 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-San Marcos or California State University-Channel Islands?
California State University-Channel Islands: its completers carry a median $15,000 in federal loans versus $17,350 at California State University-San Marcos, a difference of $2,350. 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?
55% of students finish at California State University-San Marcos, against 51% at California State University-Channel Islands. 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.