Head-to-head comparison
University of California-Santa Cruz vs Mount Saint Mary's University: which has better ROI?
Option A Santa Cruz, CA
University of California-Santa Cruz
- Net price / year
- $17,890
- Earnings, 10 years
- $68,396
- Payback
- 3.6 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 3.6 years at University of California-Santa Cruz, on median earnings of $72,379 vs $68,396 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of California-Santa Cruz | Mount Saint Mary's University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,890 | $21,413 |
| Total net cost | $71,560 | $85,652 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $68,396 | $72,379 |
| Median debt | $16,666 | $25,949 |
| Payback | 3.6 yrs | 3.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $329,160 | $394,728 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of California-Santa Cruz or Mount Saint Mary's University?
University of California-Santa Cruz, at $17,890 a year after aid versus $21,413 — a gap of $3,523 a year, or $14,092 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-Santa Cruz or Mount Saint Mary's University graduates earn more?
Mount Saint Mary's University graduates report a median $72,379 ten years after entry, $3,983 more than the $68,396 at University of California-Santa Cruz. 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-Santa Cruz or Mount Saint Mary's University?
University of California-Santa Cruz: its completers carry a median $16,666 in federal loans versus $25,949 at Mount Saint Mary's University, a difference of $9,283. 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?
75% of students finish at University of California-Santa Cruz, 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.