California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo vs University of Washington-Seattle Campus
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 Washington-Seattle Campus are closely matched on financial return. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo scores 96/100 while University of Washington-Seattle Campus 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 Washington-Seattle Campus comes in at $14,091 per year (net price after aid) versus $16,665 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo - a difference of $2,574 annually, or roughly $10,296 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo graduates earn a median of $90,768 compared to $78,466 at University of Washington-Seattle Campus. The payback period is 3.7 years at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo versus 4.5 years at University of Washington-Seattle Campus.
Graduates leave University of Washington-Seattle Campus with a median $14,615 in debt versus $18,500 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.34 and 0.29 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | California Polytechnic St... | University of Washington-... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $13,596 | $12,973 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $34,665 | $43,209 |
| Net Price (avg) | $16,665 | $14,091 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $66,660 | $56,364 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $54,700 | $50,300 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $90,768 | $78,466 |
| Graduation Rate | 86.4% | 85.2% |
| Payback Period | 3.7 yr | 4.5 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $18,500 | $14,615 |
| Monthly Payment | $196 | $155 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.34 | 0.29 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 91.5% | 83.7% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 88.5% | 80.9% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 31.3% | 39.1% |
| Enrollment | 21,996 | 31,942 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | California Polytechn... | University of Washin... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $7,529 | $6,384 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $7,253 | $7,039 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $9,896 | $8,110 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $15,786 | $14,328 |
| $110,001+ | $27,772 | $30,019 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | California Polytechn... | University of Washin... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $154,784 | $175,616 |
| Computer Engineering | $148,950 | $169,570 |
| Electrical Engineering | $125,240 | $116,010 |
| Industrial Engineering | $112,797 | $109,575 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | $107,498 | $111,349 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $110,902 | $78,771 |
| Biomedical Engineering | $109,232 | $100,930 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $106,750 | $102,078 |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology | $58,653 | $103,414 |
| Civil Engineering | $101,072 | $92,010 |
| Materials Engineering | $100,599 | $95,314 |
| Mathematics | $83,187 | $100,127 |
| Economics | $98,927 | $87,239 |
| Philosophy | $98,592 | $61,595 |
| Physics | $96,805 | $75,867 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | California Polytechn... | University of Washin... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 97 | 96 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 98 | 96 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 92 | 95 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 94 | 93 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 97 | 82 |
| 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 Washington-Seattle Campus 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 Washington-Seattle Campus
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.