San Jose State University vs California State University-Bakersfield
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
San Jose State University holds a 16-point ROI advantage over California State University-Bakersfield, scoring 91/100 versus 75/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, California State University-Bakersfield comes in at $5,652 per year (net price after aid) versus $13,760 at San Jose State University - a difference of $8,108 annually, or roughly $32,432 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, San Jose State University graduates earn a median of $78,988 compared to $59,009 at California State University-Bakersfield. The payback period is 4.4 years at San Jose State University versus 6.8 years at California State University-Bakersfield.
Graduates leave San Jose State University with a median $15,000 in debt versus $16,600 at California State University-Bakersfield. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.32 and 0.42 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | San Jose State University | California State Universi... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $8,410 | $8,090 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $21,010 | $20,690 |
| Net Price (avg) | $13,760 | $5,652 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $55,040 | $22,608 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $47,200 | $39,100 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $78,988 | $59,009 |
| Graduation Rate | 69.2% | 49.8% |
| Payback Period | 4.4 yr | 6.8 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $15,000 | $16,600 |
| Monthly Payment | $159 | $176 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.32 | 0.42 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 83.5% | 62.6% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 77.3% | 56.9% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 84.6% | 93.8% |
| Enrollment | 27,601 | 8,577 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | San Jose State Unive... | California State Uni... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $9,730 | $3,536 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $10,114 | $3,817 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $12,099 | $5,835 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $15,102 | $9,480 |
| $110,001+ | $22,862 | $16,069 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | San Jose State Unive... | California State Uni... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 96 | 98 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 96 | 84 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 93 | 84 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 77 | 38 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 81 | 22 |
| Overall ROI Score | 91 | 75 |
The Verdict
San Jose State University significantly outperforms California State University-Bakersfield on financial ROI (91 vs 75). The 16-point gap reflects meaningfully better outcomes in earnings relative to cost. Unless California State University-Bakersfield offers something compelling for your specific situation - a top program in your major, a full scholarship, or non-financial factors that matter to you - the data favors San Jose State University.
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San Jose State University
Exceptional Value - Full profile and breakdown
California State University-Bakersfield
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.