Head-to-head · 2026
College of San Mateo vs Imperial Valley College
Compare average net price ($536 at College of San Mateo; $1,115 at Imperial Valley College), ROI score (252.67 vs 77.33), ten-year median earnings ($54,172 vs $34,487), and admissions context (Open / not reported at College of San Mateo; Open / not reported at Imperial Valley College) using federal College Scorecard data. College of San Mateo has a 4-0 metric-level edge. College of San Mateo has the stronger ROI signal here, though the final choice should still account for aid, major and campus fit.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
9 metrics, side by side. A colored cell marks a metric-level advantage. Green = lower-is-better, violet = higher-is-better.
| Metric | College of San Mateo | Imperial Valley College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score | 252.67 ✓ | 77.33 |
| Avg net price | $536 ✓ | $1,115 |
| Median earnings (10y) | $54,172 ✓ | $34,487 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 60.8% ✓ | 44.6% |
| Median debt | $14,695 | — |
| Enrollment | 7,977 | 7,652 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
| Metric advantages | 4 | 0 |
Value readout
Where each school has the edge
Imperial Valley College costs $579 more per year than College of San Mateo ($1,115 vs $536). College of San Mateo graduates report $19,685 higher median earnings after ten years ($54,172 vs $34,487). On EduGradify's model that puts College of San Mateo ahead on projected ROI (252.67 vs 77.33, exceptional investment).
The more affordable option (College of San Mateo) also posts the better return, making it the lower-risk pick on cost alone. On admissions, neither school reports a standard acceptance rate in the current federal data, so this matchup should lean on price, outcomes and fit instead.
Frequently asked
College of San Mateo vs Imperial Valley College, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Is College of San Mateo or Imperial Valley College the better value?
College of San Mateo has the higher EduGradify ROI score (252.67 vs 77.33), meaning its ten-year earnings go further against its net price.
Which school costs less after aid?
College of San Mateo is cheaper — average net price $536 per year vs $1,115 at Imperial Valley College. The annual difference of $579 adds up to about $2,316 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
College of San Mateo reports higher median earnings ten years after entry: $54,172 vs $34,487 at Imperial Valley College. The annual gap in the federal data is $19,685.
What should I compare beyond ROI?
Use the ROI score as a value screen, then compare aid letters, program fit, graduation rate, location, campus size, and debt. College of San Mateo reports a A+ value grade; Imperial Valley College reports A+.