Clemson University vs University of California-Santa Barbara
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
University of California-Santa Barbara holds a 4-point ROI advantage over Clemson University, scoring 90/100 versus 86/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, University of California-Santa Barbara comes in at $16,109 per year (net price after aid) versus $22,253 at Clemson University - a difference of $6,144 annually, or roughly $24,576 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of California-Santa Barbara graduates earn a median of $74,915 compared to $71,513 at Clemson University. The payback period is 6.3 years at Clemson University versus 5.1 years at University of California-Santa Barbara.
Graduates leave University of California-Santa Barbara with a median $13,993 in debt versus $21,500 at Clemson University. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.45 and 0.33 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | Clemson University | University of California-... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $15,554 | $16,414 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $40,866 | $50,614 |
| Net Price (avg) | $22,253 | $16,109 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $89,012 | $64,436 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $48,100 | $42,800 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $71,513 | $74,915 |
| Graduation Rate | 86.6% | 83.0% |
| Payback Period | 6.3 yr | 5.1 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $21,500 | $13,993 |
| Monthly Payment | $228 | $148 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.45 | 0.33 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 83.9% | 79.3% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 82.2% | 76.0% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 38.3% | 33.0% |
| Enrollment | 23,300 | 23,113 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | Clemson University | University of Califo... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $13,607 | $9,231 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $14,109 | $9,992 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $18,851 | $12,588 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $24,833 | $17,136 |
| $110,001+ | $27,922 | $31,863 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | Clemson University | University of Califo... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Engineering | $102,762 | $144,703 |
| Electrical Engineering | $96,446 | $117,215 |
| Chemical Engineering | $92,098 | $113,317 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $91,028 | $104,336 |
| Economics | $79,468 | $98,178 |
| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | $60,988 | $90,694 |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology | $81,526 | $90,061 |
| Mathematics | $82,450 | $85,391 |
| Chemistry | $67,996 | $74,713 |
| Romance Languages | $70,584 | $68,496 |
| International Relations | $64,822 | $70,384 |
| Biology | $65,577 | $64,520 |
| Natural Resources Conservation | $40,266 | $63,628 |
| Linguistic and Comparative Language Studies | $52,044 | $61,580 |
| Sociology | $54,780 | $60,013 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | Clemson University | University of Califo... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 83 | 94 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 88 | 93 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 82 | 92 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 94 | 91 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 83 | 67 |
| Overall ROI Score | 86 | 90 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. University of California-Santa Barbara edges out Clemson University by 4 points (90 vs 86), 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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Clemson University
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
University of California-Santa Barbara
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.