Head-to-head comparison
University of California-Merced vs Sonoma State University: which has better ROI?
Option A Merced, CA
University of California-Merced
- Net price / year
- $11,983
- Earnings, 10 years
- $64,368
- Payback
- 3 yrs
Option B Rohnert Park, CA
Sonoma State University
- Net price / year
- $12,885
- Earnings, 10 years
- $65,986
- Payback
- 2.9 yrs
Sonoma State University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $51,540 in 2.9 years versus 3 years at University of California-Merced, on median earnings of $65,986 vs $64,368 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of California-Merced | Sonoma State University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $11,983 | $12,885 |
| Total net cost | $47,932 | $51,540 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $64,368 | $65,986 |
| Median debt | $16,144 | $16,705 |
| Payback | 3 yrs | 2.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $272,228 | $300,980 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of California-Merced or Sonoma State University?
University of California-Merced, at $11,983 a year after aid versus $12,885 — a gap of $902 a year, or $3,608 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 University of California-Merced or Sonoma State University graduates earn more?
Sonoma State University graduates report a median $65,986 ten years after entry, $1,618 more than the $64,368 at University of California-Merced. 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, University of California-Merced or Sonoma State University?
University of California-Merced: its completers carry a median $16,144 in federal loans versus $16,705 at Sonoma State University, a difference of $561. 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 58% at Sonoma State 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.