Head-to-head comparison
University of California-Riverside vs California State University-San Marcos: which has better ROI?
Option A Riverside, CA
University of California-Riverside
- Net price / year
- $14,304
- Earnings, 10 years
- $67,699
- Payback
- 3 yrs
Option B San Marcos, CA
California State University-San Marcos
- Net price / year
- $10,229
- Earnings, 10 years
- $62,908
- Payback
- 2.8 yrs
California State University-San Marcos has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $40,916 in 2.8 years versus 3 years at University of California-Riverside, on median earnings of $62,908 vs $67,699 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of California-Riverside | California State University-San Marcos |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $14,304 | $10,229 |
| Total net cost | $57,216 | $40,916 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $67,699 | $62,908 |
| Median debt | $17,500 | $17,350 |
| Payback | 3 yrs | 2.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $329,564 | $250,044 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of California-Riverside or California State University-San Marcos?
California State University-San Marcos, at $10,229 a year after aid versus $14,304 — a gap of $4,075 a year, or $16,300 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-Riverside or California State University-San Marcos graduates earn more?
University of California-Riverside graduates report a median $67,699 ten years after entry, $4,791 more than the $62,908 at California State University-San Marcos. 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-Riverside or California State University-San Marcos?
California State University-San Marcos: its completers carry a median $17,350 in federal loans versus $17,500 at University of California-Riverside, a difference of $150. 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 University of California-Riverside, against 55% at California State University-San Marcos. 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.