Head-to-head comparison
California State University-Stanislaus vs Harvey Mudd College: which has better ROI?
Option A Turlock, CA
California State University-Stanislaus
- Net price / year
- $6,067
- Earnings, 10 years
- $63,188
- Payback
- 1.6 yrs
Option B Claremont, CA
Harvey Mudd College
- Net price / year
- $35,924
- Earnings, 10 years
- $138,687
- Payback
- 1.6 yrs
Harvey Mudd College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $143,696 in 1.6 years versus 1.6 years at California State University-Stanislaus, on median earnings of $138,687 vs $63,188 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | California State University-Stanislaus | Harvey Mudd College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $6,067 | $35,924 |
| Total net cost | $24,268 | $143,696 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $63,188 | $138,687 |
| Median debt | $13,540 | $25,000 |
| Payback | 1.6 yrs | 1.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $272,292 | $1,662,844 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, California State University-Stanislaus or Harvey Mudd College?
California State University-Stanislaus, at $6,067 a year after aid versus $35,924 — a gap of $29,857 a year, or $119,428 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-Stanislaus or Harvey Mudd College graduates earn more?
Harvey Mudd College graduates report a median $138,687 ten years after entry, $75,499 more than the $63,188 at California State University-Stanislaus. 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-Stanislaus or Harvey Mudd College?
California State University-Stanislaus: its completers carry a median $13,540 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Harvey Mudd College, a difference of $11,460. 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?
92% of students finish at Harvey Mudd College, against 53% at California State University-Stanislaus. 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.