California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo vs Clemson 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
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo holds a 10-point ROI advantage over Clemson University, scoring 96/100 versus 86/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo comes in at $16,665 per year (net price after aid) versus $22,253 at Clemson University - a difference of $5,588 annually, or roughly $22,352 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo graduates earn a median of $90,768 compared to $71,513 at Clemson University. The payback period is 3.7 years at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo versus 6.3 years at Clemson University.
Graduates leave California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo with a median $18,500 in debt versus $21,500 at Clemson University. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.34 and 0.45 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | California Polytechnic St... | Clemson University |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $13,596 | $15,554 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $34,665 | $40,866 |
| Net Price (avg) | $16,665 | $22,253 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $66,660 | $89,012 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $54,700 | $48,100 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $90,768 | $71,513 |
| Graduation Rate | 86.4% | 86.6% |
| Payback Period | 3.7 yr | 6.3 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $18,500 | $21,500 |
| Monthly Payment | $196 | $228 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.34 | 0.45 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 91.5% | 83.9% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 88.5% | 82.2% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 31.3% | 38.3% |
| Enrollment | 21,996 | 23,300 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | California Polytechn... | Clemson University |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $7,529 | $13,607 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $7,253 | $14,109 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $9,896 | $18,851 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $15,786 | $24,833 |
| $110,001+ | $27,772 | $27,922 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | California Polytechn... | Clemson University |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Engineering | $148,950 | $102,762 |
| Electrical Engineering | $125,240 | $96,446 |
| Construction Management | $118,331 | $98,726 |
| Industrial Engineering | $112,797 | $92,491 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $110,902 | $70,059 |
| Biomedical Engineering | $109,232 | $93,705 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $106,750 | $91,028 |
| Environmental Engineering | $102,702 | $81,714 |
| Civil Engineering | $101,072 | $84,873 |
| Materials Engineering | $100,599 | $85,883 |
| Economics | $98,927 | $79,468 |
| Agricultural Engineering | $92,603 | $88,338 |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $88,396 | $67,050 |
| Mathematics | $83,187 | $82,450 |
| Plant Sciences | $82,487 | $52,844 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | California Polytechn... | Clemson University |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 97 | 83 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 98 | 88 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 92 | 82 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 94 | 94 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 97 | 83 |
| Overall ROI Score | 96 | 86 |
The Verdict
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo has a meaningfully higher ROI score (96 vs 86). Graduates earn more relative to cost, and the financial return is somewhat stronger. That said, if Clemson University offers a significantly better program in your intended major, it could still be the better financial choice for you specifically.
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California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
Exceptional Value - Full profile and breakdown
Clemson 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.