California State University-Fresno vs California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
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 15-point ROI advantage over California State University-Fresno, scoring 96/100 versus 81/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, California State University-Fresno comes in at $7,000 per year (net price after aid) versus $16,665 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo - a difference of $9,665 annually, or roughly $38,660 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo graduates earn a median of $90,768 compared to $61,244 at California State University-Fresno. The payback period is 6.4 years at California State University-Fresno versus 3.7 years at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo.
Graduates leave California State University-Fresno with a median $14,505 in debt versus $18,500 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.39 and 0.34 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | California State Universi... | California Polytechnic St... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $7,350 | $13,596 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $19,950 | $34,665 |
| Net Price (avg) | $7,000 | $16,665 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $28,000 | $66,660 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $37,200 | $54,700 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $61,244 | $90,768 |
| Graduation Rate | 57.0% | 86.4% |
| Payback Period | 6.4 yr | 3.7 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $14,505 | $18,500 |
| Monthly Payment | $154 | $196 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.39 | 0.34 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 71.6% | 91.5% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 67.7% | 88.5% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 95.3% | 31.3% |
| Enrollment | 21,605 | 21,996 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | California State Uni... | California Polytechn... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $5,105 | $7,529 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $5,429 | $7,253 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $7,196 | $9,896 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $10,291 | $15,786 |
| $110,001+ | $16,899 | $27,772 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | California State Uni... | California Polytechn... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $71,490 | $154,784 |
| Computer Engineering | $103,896 | $148,950 |
| Electrical Engineering | $108,038 | $125,240 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $64,133 | $110,902 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $88,002 | $106,750 |
| Civil Engineering | $87,627 | $101,072 |
| Economics | $66,749 | $98,927 |
| Philosophy | $42,337 | $98,592 |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | $42,807 | $89,195 |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $67,731 | $88,396 |
| Mathematics | $55,664 | $83,187 |
| Plant Sciences | $77,034 | $82,487 |
| International Relations | $62,298 | $81,843 |
| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | $26,380 | $78,097 |
| Food Science and Technology | $64,225 | $75,466 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | California State Uni... | California Polytechn... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 98 | 97 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 87 | 98 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 88 | 92 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 54 | 94 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 44 | 97 |
| Overall ROI Score | 81 | 96 |
The Verdict
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo has a meaningfully higher ROI score (96 vs 81). Graduates earn more relative to cost, and the financial return is noticeably stronger. That said, if California State University-Fresno 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 State University-Fresno
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
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.