Head-to-head · 2026
California State University-Los Angeles vs College of San Mateo
Compare average net price ($3,967 at California State University-Los Angeles; $536 at College of San Mateo), ROI score (37.31 vs 252.67), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($59,211 vs $54,172), and admissions context (91.3% at California State University-Los Angeles; Open / not reported at College of San Mateo) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | California State University-Los Angeles | College of San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 37.31 | 252.67 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $3,967 | $536 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $15,868 | $2,144 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $7,160 | $1,332 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $19,760 | $11,384 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $59,211 ✓ | $54,172 |
| Acceptance rate | 91.3% | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 53% | 60.8% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 71.9% | 72.6% ✓ |
| Median debt | $13,000 ✓ | $14,695 |
| Enrollment | 19,562 | 7,977 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | California State University-Los Angeles | College of San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $2,877 | -$1,310 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $2,974 | -$902 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $5,002 | $3,342 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $7,355 | $6,342 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $13,578 | — |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | California State University-Los Angeles | College of San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 12.9% | 13.1% |
| Psychology, General | 5.4% | 6.4% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 5.2% | 4.9% |
| Communication and Media Studies | 3.8% | 5.4% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 2.1% | 6.9% |
| Sociology | 5.5% | 2.7% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 3.6% | 4.6% |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 3.7% | 2.7% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
College of San Mateo reports the lower average net price by $3,431 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $13,724 difference over four years ($2,144 vs $15,868).
California State University-Los Angeles reports $5,039 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($59,211 vs $54,172). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 71.9% at California State University-Los Angeles and 72.6% at College of San Mateo. Median federal debt among completers is $13,000 vs $14,695, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
California State University-Los Angeles vs College of San Mateo, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
College of San Mateo is cheaper — average net price $536 per year vs $3,967 at California State University-Los Angeles. The annual difference of $3,431 adds up to about $13,724 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
California State University-Los Angeles reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $59,211 vs $54,172 at College of San Mateo. The gap in the federal data is $5,039. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.