Head-to-head · 2026
California State University-Los Angeles vs Santiago Canyon College
Compare average net price ($3,967 at California State University-Los Angeles; $2,129 at Santiago Canyon College), ROI score (37.31 vs 52.79), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($59,211 vs $44,956), and admissions context (91.3% at California State University-Los Angeles; Open / not reported at Santiago Canyon 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 | Santiago Canyon College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 37.31 | 52.79 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $3,967 | $2,129 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $15,868 | $8,516 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $7,160 | $1,164 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $19,760 | $9,612 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $59,211 ✓ | $44,956 |
| Acceptance rate | 91.3% | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 53% ✓ | 47.6% |
| Retention rate | 71.9% ✓ | 70.7% |
| Median debt | $13,000 | $5,125 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 19,562 | 10,579 |
| 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 | Santiago Canyon College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $2,877 | -$219 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $2,974 | $454 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $5,002 | $4,833 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $7,355 ✓ | $9,373 |
| Family income $110k+ | $13,578 | $11,014 ✓ |
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 | Santiago Canyon College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 2.1% | 55.2% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 12.9% | 6.3% |
| Psychology, General | 5.4% | 4.5% |
| Sociology | 5.5% | 1.8% |
| Communication and Media Studies | 3.8% | 1.9% |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 3.7% | 1.1% |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 2.9% | 0.8% |
| Biology, General | 2% | 1.3% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Santiago Canyon College reports the lower average net price by $1,838 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $7,352 difference over four years ($8,516 vs $15,868).
California State University-Los Angeles reports $14,255 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($59,211 vs $44,956). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 71.9% at California State University-Los Angeles and 70.7% at Santiago Canyon College. Median federal debt among completers is $13,000 vs $5,125, 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 Santiago Canyon College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Santiago Canyon College is cheaper — average net price $2,129 per year vs $3,967 at California State University-Los Angeles. The annual difference of $1,838 adds up to about $7,352 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 $44,956 at Santiago Canyon College. The gap in the federal data is $14,255. 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.