California State University-Sacramento vs George Mason University
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
George Mason University holds a 3-point ROI advantage over California State University-Sacramento, scoring 86/100 versus 83/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, California State University-Sacramento comes in at $9,338 per year (net price after aid) versus $17,915 at George Mason University - a difference of $8,577 annually, or roughly $34,308 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, George Mason University graduates earn a median of $76,343 compared to $64,876 at California State University-Sacramento. The payback period is 5.9 years at California State University-Sacramento versus 5.1 years at George Mason University.
Graduates leave California State University-Sacramento with a median $15,000 in debt versus $19,500 at George Mason University. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.36 and 0.41 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | California State Universi... | George Mason University |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $8,018 | $14,220 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $20,618 | $38,688 |
| Net Price (avg) | $9,338 | $17,915 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $37,352 | $71,660 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $41,800 | $47,000 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $64,876 | $76,343 |
| Graduation Rate | 56.3% | 67.8% |
| Payback Period | 5.9 yr | 5.1 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $15,000 | $19,500 |
| Monthly Payment | $159 | $207 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.36 | 0.41 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 74.9% | 80.0% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 69.7% | 78.3% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 94.0% | 87.5% |
| Enrollment | 28,350 | 27,752 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | California State Uni... | George Mason Univers... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $6,501 | $11,942 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $7,001 | $12,093 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $9,212 | $15,224 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $11,814 | $19,430 |
| $110,001+ | $18,861 | $25,894 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | California State Uni... | George Mason Univers... |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $129,960 | $89,878 |
| Computer Engineering | $104,394 | $117,942 |
| Electrical Engineering | $103,512 | $103,074 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $93,878 | $96,467 |
| Physics | $64,133 | $96,138 |
| Civil Engineering | $93,973 | $93,856 |
| Computer Science | $92,519 | $84,632 |
| Economics | $70,290 | $87,548 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $67,636 | $85,224 |
| Teacher Education, Subject-Specific | $82,062 | $59,979 |
| Chemistry | $74,430 | $77,681 |
| Mathematics | $59,162 | $77,519 |
| Geography and Cartography | $75,234 | $74,692 |
| International Relations | $60,278 | $74,125 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences | $73,418 | $53,441 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | California State Uni... | George Mason Univers... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 96 | 92 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 89 | 93 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 91 | 85 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 53 | 74 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 54 | 71 |
| Overall ROI Score | 83 | 86 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. George Mason University edges out California State University-Sacramento by 3 points (86 vs 83), but the difference is small enough that major choice and individual circumstances will matter more than the school-level ROI difference. Run the numbers for your specific situation using the calculator below.
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California State University-Sacramento
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
George Mason University
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.