Head-to-head comparison
San Diego State University vs Pacific Union College: 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 Angwin, CA
Pacific Union College
- Net price / year
- $41,008
- Earnings, 10 years
- $70,484
- Payback
- 3.7 yrs
Pacific Union College has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $82,016 in 3.7 years versus 3.7 years at San Diego State University, on median earnings of $70,484 vs $64,909 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | San Diego State University | Pacific Union College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $15,364 | $41,008 |
| Total net cost | $61,456 | $82,016 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $64,909 | $70,484 |
| Median debt | $15,000 | $27,500 |
| Payback | 3.7 yrs | 3.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $269,524 | $360,464 |
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 Pacific Union College?
San Diego State University, at $15,364 a year after aid versus $41,008 — a gap of $25,644 a year, or $20,560 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 Pacific Union College graduates earn more?
Pacific Union College graduates report a median $70,484 ten years after entry, $5,575 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 Pacific Union College?
San Diego State University: its completers carry a median $15,000 in federal loans versus $27,500 at Pacific Union College, a difference of $12,500. 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 58% at Pacific Union 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.