Head-to-head · 2026
College of San Mateo vs Irvine Valley College
Compare average net price ($536 at College of San Mateo; $2,090 at Irvine Valley College), ROI score (252.67 vs 58.80), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($54,172 vs $49,156), and admissions context (Open / not reported at College of San Mateo; Open / not reported at Irvine Valley 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 | College of San Mateo | Irvine Valley College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 252.67 ✓ | 58.80 |
| Avg net price | $536 ✓ | $2,090 |
| 4-year avg net price | $2,144 ✓ | $8,360 |
| In-state tuition | $1,332 | $1,156 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $11,384 | $11,860 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $54,172 ✓ | $49,156 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 60.8% ✓ | 57.1% |
| Retention rate | 72.6% | 79.1% ✓ |
| Median debt | $14,695 | $6,500 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 7,977 | 10,286 |
| 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 | College of San Mateo | Irvine Valley College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | -$1,310 ✓ | $734 |
| Family income $30–48k | -$902 ✓ | $785 |
| Family income $48–75k | $3,342 ✓ | $3,941 |
| Family income $75–110k | $6,342 ✓ | $7,906 |
| Family income $110k+ | — | $9,432 |
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 | College of San Mateo | Irvine Valley College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 6.9% | 48.9% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 13.1% | 5.7% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 2.6% | 6.9% |
| Psychology, General | 6.4% | 2.2% |
| Communication and Media Studies | 5.4% | 0.8% |
| Mathematics | 3.6% | 2.4% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 4.9% | 1.1% |
| Biological and Physical Sciences | 0.2% | 5.2% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
College of San Mateo reports the lower average net price by $1,554 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $6,216 difference over four years ($2,144 vs $8,360).
College of San Mateo reports $5,016 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($54,172 vs $49,156). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 72.6% at College of San Mateo and 79.1% at Irvine Valley College. Median federal debt among completers is $14,695 vs $6,500, 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
College of San Mateo vs Irvine Valley College, 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 $2,090 at Irvine Valley College. The annual difference of $1,554 adds up to about $6,216 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 $49,156 at Irvine Valley College. The gap in the federal data is $5,016. 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.