Head-to-head · 2026
Canada College vs College of San Mateo
Compare average net price ($32 at Canada College; $536 at College of San Mateo), ROI score (3913.05 vs 252.67), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($50,087 vs $54,172), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Canada College; 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 | Canada College | College of San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 3913.05 ✓ | 252.67 |
| Avg net price | $32 ✓ | $536 |
| 4-year avg net price | $128 ✓ | $2,144 |
| In-state tuition | $1,332 | $1,332 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $11,384 | $11,384 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $50,087 | $54,172 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 46.8% | 60.8% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 69.1% | 72.6% ✓ |
| Median debt | — | $14,695 |
| Enrollment | 5,175 | 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 | Canada College | College of San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | -$1,545 ✓ | -$1,310 |
| Family income $30–48k | -$1,384 ✓ | -$902 |
| Family income $48–75k | $2,393 ✓ | $3,342 |
| Family income $75–110k | $4,004 ✓ | $6,342 |
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 | Canada College | College of San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 10.8% | 13.1% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 15.3% | 6.9% |
| Psychology, General | 10.6% | 6.4% |
| Economics | 6.9% | 4.2% |
| Sociology | 6.4% | 2.7% |
| Communication and Media Studies | 1.9% | 5.4% |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | 5% | 2.2% |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 2.1% | 2.7% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Canada College reports the lower average net price by $504 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $2,016 difference over four years ($128 vs $2,144).
College of San Mateo reports $4,085 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($54,172 vs $50,087). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 69.1% at Canada College and 72.6% at College of San Mateo. 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.
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Frequently asked
Canada College vs College of San Mateo, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Canada College is cheaper — average net price $32 per year vs $536 at College of San Mateo. The annual difference of $504 adds up to about $2,016 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
College of San Mateo reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $54,172 vs $50,087 at Canada College. The gap in the federal data is $4,085. 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.