Head-to-head · 2026
California State University-Los Angeles vs San Diego Christian College
Compare average net price ($3,967 at California State University-Los Angeles; $992 at San Diego Christian College), ROI score (37.31 vs 125.42), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($59,211 vs $49,766), and admissions selectivity (91.3% acceptance at California State University-Los Angeles; 30.8% at San Diego Christian 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 | San Diego Christian College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 37.31 | 125.42 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $3,967 | $992 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $15,868 | $3,968 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $7,160 | $28,012 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $19,760 | $28,012 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $59,211 ✓ | $49,766 |
| Acceptance rate | 91.3% | 30.8% |
| Graduation rate | 53% ✓ | 19.7% |
| Retention rate | 71.9% | 85.7% ✓ |
| Median debt | $13,000 ✓ | $24,941 |
| Enrollment | 19,562 | 87 |
| Ownership | Public | Private Non-Profit |
| 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 | San Diego Christian College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $2,877 | $992 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $2,974 | — |
| Family income $48–75k | $5,002 | — |
| Family income $75–110k | $7,355 | — |
| 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 | San Diego Christian College |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 12.9% | 23.4% |
| Psychology, General | 5.4% | 17.5% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 6% | 14.6% |
| Communication and Media Studies | 3.8% | 9.5% |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 3.7% | 9.5% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 2.1% | 5.8% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 5.2% | 1.5% |
| Biology, General | 2% | 2.2% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
San Diego Christian College reports the lower average net price by $2,975 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $11,900 difference over four years ($3,968 vs $15,868).
California State University-Los Angeles reports $9,445 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($59,211 vs $49,766). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 71.9% at California State University-Los Angeles and 85.7% at San Diego Christian College. Median federal debt among completers is $13,000 vs $24,941, 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 San Diego Christian College, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
San Diego Christian College is cheaper — average net price $992 per year vs $3,967 at California State University-Los Angeles. The annual difference of $2,975 adds up to about $11,900 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 $49,766 at San Diego Christian College. The gap in the federal data is $9,445. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
San Diego Christian College is more selective at 30.8% acceptance vs 91.3% at California State University-Los Angeles.
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.