Head-to-head · 2026
California State University-Los Angeles vs Hartnell College
Compare average net price ($3,967 at California State University-Los Angeles; $2,039 at Hartnell College), ROI score (37.31 vs 54.34), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($59,211 vs $44,316), and admissions context (91.3% at California State University-Los Angeles; Open / not reported at Hartnell College) 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 | Hartnell College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 37.31 | 54.34 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $3,967 | $2,039 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $15,868 | $8,156 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $7,160 | $1,404 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $19,760 | $10,374 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $59,211 ✓ | $44,316 |
| Acceptance rate | 91.3% | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 53% ✓ | 40% |
| Retention rate | 71.9% | 73.4% ✓ |
| Median debt | $13,000 | — |
| Enrollment | 19,562 | 9,453 |
| 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 | Hartnell College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $2,877 | $828 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $2,974 | $465 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $5,002 | $3,124 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $7,355 | $6,856 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $13,578 | $9,885 ✓ |
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 | Hartnell College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 2.1% | 53.6% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 12.9% | 3.7% |
| Psychology, General | 5.4% | 5.6% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 5.2% | 5% |
| Sociology | 5.5% | 2.7% |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 3.7% | 1.8% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 3.6% | 1.7% |
| Communication and Media Studies | 3.8% | 0.4% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Hartnell College reports the lower average net price by $1,928 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $7,712 difference over four years ($8,156 vs $15,868).
California State University-Los Angeles reports $14,895 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($59,211 vs $44,316). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 71.9% at California State University-Los Angeles and 73.4% at Hartnell College. Debt data is incomplete for at least one school, so it is not used as a deciding signal here.
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 Hartnell College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Hartnell College is cheaper — average net price $2,039 per year vs $3,967 at California State University-Los Angeles. The annual difference of $1,928 adds up to about $7,712 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 $44,316 at Hartnell College. The gap in the federal data is $14,895. 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.