Head-to-head comparison
San Diego State University vs Mount Saint Mary's University: which has better ROI?
Option A San Diego, CA
San Diego State University
- Net price / year
- $15,364
- Earnings, 10 years
- $64,909
- Payback
- 3.7 yrs
Option B Los Angeles, CA
Mount Saint Mary's University
- Net price / year
- $21,413
- Earnings, 10 years
- $72,379
- Payback
- 3.6 yrs
Mount Saint Mary's University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $85,652 in 3.6 years versus 3.7 years at San Diego State University, on median earnings of $72,379 vs $64,909 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | San Diego State University | Mount Saint Mary's University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $15,364 | $21,413 |
| Total net cost | $61,456 | $85,652 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $64,909 | $72,379 |
| Median debt | $15,000 | $25,949 |
| Payback | 3.7 yrs | 3.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $269,524 | $394,728 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, San Diego State University or Mount Saint Mary's University?
San Diego State University, at $15,364 a year after aid versus $21,413 — a gap of $6,049 a year, or $24,196 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 San Diego State University or Mount Saint Mary's University graduates earn more?
Mount Saint Mary's University graduates report a median $72,379 ten years after entry, $7,470 more than the $64,909 at San Diego State University. 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, San Diego State University or Mount Saint Mary's University?
San Diego State University: its completers carry a median $15,000 in federal loans versus $25,949 at Mount Saint Mary's University, a difference of $10,949. 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?
76% of students finish at San Diego State University, against 53% at Mount Saint Mary's University. 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.