California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo vs University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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 and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are closely matched on financial return. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo scores 96/100 while University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill scores 94/100 - a gap small enough that individual circumstances (major choice, financial aid package, in-state vs out-of-state status) will likely matter more than the overall score difference.
On cost, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill comes in at $11,655 per year (net price after aid) versus $16,665 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo - a difference of $5,010 annually, or roughly $20,040 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo graduates earn a median of $90,768 compared to $72,200 at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The payback period is 3.7 years at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo versus 5 years at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Graduates leave University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a median $14,000 in debt versus $18,500 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.34 and 0.28 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | California Polytechnic St... | University of North Carol... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $13,596 | $8,994 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $34,665 | $41,203 |
| Net Price (avg) | $16,665 | $11,655 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $66,660 | $46,620 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $54,700 | $49,900 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $90,768 | $72,200 |
| Graduation Rate | 86.4% | 91.2% |
| Payback Period | 3.7 yr | 5 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $18,500 | $14,000 |
| Monthly Payment | $196 | $148 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.34 | 0.28 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 91.5% | 85.4% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 88.5% | 85.3% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 31.3% | 15.3% |
| Enrollment | 21,996 | 20,752 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | California Polytechn... | University of North ... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $7,529 | $2,004 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $7,253 | $3,918 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $9,896 | $8,538 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $15,786 | $16,415 |
| $110,001+ | $27,772 | $24,396 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | California Polytechn... | University of North ... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $154,784 | $137,047 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $110,902 | $135,874 |
| Biomedical Engineering | $109,232 | $97,992 |
| Economics | $98,927 | $103,846 |
| Physics | $96,805 | $103,477 |
| Mathematics | $83,187 | $101,599 |
| Philosophy | $98,592 | $70,709 |
| International Relations | $81,843 | $72,001 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $75,223 | $70,240 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | $68,171 | $72,422 |
| Sociology | $69,883 | $51,801 |
| Biology | $69,854 | $62,047 |
| History | $66,518 | $57,952 |
| Chemistry | $63,882 | $64,981 |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $64,579 | $63,286 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | California Polytechn... | University of North ... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 97 | 96 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 98 | 93 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 92 | 95 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 94 | 97 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 97 | 87 |
| Overall ROI Score | 96 | 94 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo edges out University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill by 2 points (96 vs 94), 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 Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
Exceptional Value - Full profile and breakdown
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Exceptional 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.