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Head-to-head comparison

Las Positas College vs Saint Mary's College of California: which has better ROI?

Public, Livermore CA · vs · Private nonprofit, Moraga CA

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

Option A Livermore, CA

Las Positas College

Net price / year
$5,377
Earnings, 10 years
$51,088
Payback
3.9 yrs

Option B Moraga, CA

Saint Mary's College of California

Net price / year
$30,378
Earnings, 10 years
$78,812
Payback
4 yrs
The verdict

Las Positas College has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $10,754 in 3.9 years versus 4 years at Saint Mary's College of California, on median earnings of $51,088 vs $78,812 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureLas Positas CollegeSaint Mary's College of California
Net price / yr$5,377$30,378
Total net cost$10,754$121,512
Median earnings, 10 yrs$51,088$78,812
Median debt—$23,691
Payback3.9 yrs4 yrs
20-year net return$43,806$487,528

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

The short answer

Which is cheaper, Las Positas College or Saint Mary's College of California?

Las Positas College, at $5,377 a year after aid versus $30,378 — a gap of $25,001 a year, or $110,758 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 Las Positas College or Saint Mary's College of California graduates earn more?

Saint Mary's College of California graduates report a median $78,812 ten years after entry, $27,724 more than the $51,088 at Las Positas College. 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 graduates more of its students?

70% of students finish at Saint Mary's College of California, against 53% at Las Positas College. 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.

Las Positas College vs Saint Mary's College of California: frequently asked questions

Is Las Positas College or Saint Mary's College of California a better value?
Las Positas College. It clears its $10,754 net cost in about 3.9 years versus 4 years at Saint Mary's College of California, on median earnings of $51,088 vs $78,812 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Las Positas College or Saint Mary's College of California?
Las Positas College: $5,377/yr net price after aid versus $30,378/yr at Saint Mary's College of California — a difference of $25,001 a year, or about $110,758 over four years.
Do Las Positas College or Saint Mary's College of California graduates earn more?
Saint Mary's College of California graduates earn a median $78,812 ten years after entry, versus $51,088 at Las Positas College — a $27,724 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.