University of Kansas vs California State University-Los Angeles
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
California State University-Los Angeles holds a 4-point ROI advantage over University of Kansas, scoring 80/100 versus 76/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, California State University-Los Angeles comes in at $3,967 per year (net price after aid) versus $18,059 at University of Kansas - a difference of $14,092 annually, or roughly $56,368 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of Kansas graduates earn a median of $61,945 compared to $59,211 at California State University-Los Angeles. The payback period is 7.9 years at University of Kansas versus 6.4 years at California State University-Los Angeles.
Graduates leave California State University-Los Angeles with a median $13,000 in debt versus $21,000 at University of Kansas. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.47 and 0.35 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University of Kansas | California State Universi... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $12,102 | $7,160 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $30,432 | $19,760 |
| Net Price (avg) | $18,059 | $3,967 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $72,236 | $15,868 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $45,100 | $37,200 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $61,945 | $59,211 |
| Graduation Rate | 68.8% | 53.0% |
| Payback Period | 7.9 yr | 6.4 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $21,000 | $13,000 |
| Monthly Payment | $223 | $138 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.47 | 0.35 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 77.1% | 67.2% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 72.4% | 60.7% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 93.5% | 91.3% |
| Enrollment | 21,217 | 19,562 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University of Kansas | California State Uni... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $12,544 | $2,877 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $12,942 | $2,974 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $15,154 | $5,002 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $19,169 | $7,355 |
| $110,001+ | $22,544 | $13,578 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | University of Kansas | California State Uni... |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $78,601 | $116,182 |
| Electrical Engineering | $81,330 | $96,014 |
| Civil Engineering | $89,087 | $94,760 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $82,934 | $93,028 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $92,008 | $69,022 |
| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | $81,568 | $67,441 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $77,725 | $62,716 |
| Mathematics | $64,905 | $70,677 |
| Economics | $69,084 | $54,998 |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology | $65,861 | $65,366 |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $62,876 | $44,930 |
| International Relations | $61,839 | $56,063 |
| Biology | $61,561 | $53,908 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | $58,777 | $59,904 |
| Social Work | $55,582 | $59,545 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of Kansas | California State Uni... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 79 | 99 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 77 | 87 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 79 | 91 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 77 | 45 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 61 | 32 |
| Overall ROI Score | 76 | 80 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. California State University-Los Angeles edges out University of Kansas by 4 points (80 vs 76), 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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University of Kansas
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
California State University-Los Angeles
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.