Head-to-head comparison
California State University-San Marcos vs University of California-Merced: 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 Merced, CA
University of California-Merced
- Net price / year
- $11,983
- Earnings, 10 years
- $64,368
- Payback
- 3 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 3 years at University of California-Merced, on median earnings of $62,908 vs $64,368 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | California State University-San Marcos | University of California-Merced |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $10,229 | $11,983 |
| Total net cost | $40,916 | $47,932 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $62,908 | $64,368 |
| Median debt | $17,350 | $16,144 |
| Payback | 2.8 yrs | 3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $250,044 | $272,228 |
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 University of California-Merced?
California State University-San Marcos, at $10,229 a year after aid versus $11,983 — a gap of $1,754 a year, or $7,016 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 University of California-Merced graduates earn more?
University of California-Merced graduates report a median $64,368 ten years after entry, $1,460 more than the $62,908 at California State University-San Marcos. 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 University of California-Merced?
University of California-Merced: its completers carry a median $16,144 in federal loans versus $17,350 at California State University-San Marcos, a difference of $1,206. 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?
69% of students finish at University of California-Merced, 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.