San Diego State University 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 12-point ROI advantage over San Diego State University, scoring 96/100 versus 84/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, San Diego State University comes in at $15,364 per year (net price after aid) versus $16,665 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo - a difference of $1,301 annually, or roughly $5,204 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo graduates earn a median of $90,768 compared to $64,909 at San Diego State University. The payback period is 6.7 years at San Diego State University versus 3.7 years at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo.
Graduates leave San Diego State University with a median $15,000 in debt versus $18,500 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.36 and 0.34 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | San Diego State Universit... | California Polytechnic St... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $8,728 | $13,596 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $21,328 | $34,665 |
| Net Price (avg) | $15,364 | $16,665 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $61,456 | $66,660 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $41,600 | $54,700 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $64,909 | $90,768 |
| Graduation Rate | 76.4% | 86.4% |
| Payback Period | 6.7 yr | 3.7 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $15,000 | $18,500 |
| Monthly Payment | $159 | $196 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.36 | 0.34 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 72.2% | 91.5% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 70.6% | 88.5% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 36.2% | 31.3% |
| Enrollment | 35,377 | 21,996 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | San Diego State Univ... | California Polytechn... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $9,910 | $7,529 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $10,017 | $7,253 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $12,697 | $9,896 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $15,891 | $15,786 |
| $110,001+ | $23,821 | $27,772 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | San Diego State Univ... | California Polytechn... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $100,586 | $154,784 |
| Computer Engineering | $116,842 | $148,950 |
| Electrical Engineering | $106,416 | $125,240 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $69,902 | $110,902 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | $100,139 | $107,498 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $97,825 | $106,750 |
| Environmental Engineering | $88,417 | $102,702 |
| Statistics | $83,076 | $101,353 |
| Civil Engineering | $95,865 | $101,072 |
| Economics | $74,123 | $98,927 |
| Philosophy | $53,390 | $98,592 |
| Mathematics | $57,999 | $83,187 |
| International Relations | $64,824 | $81,843 |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology | $81,122 | $55,807 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $61,389 | $75,223 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | San Diego State Univ... | California Polytechn... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 89 | 97 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 85 | 98 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 90 | 92 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 87 | 94 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 46 | 97 |
| Overall ROI Score | 84 | 96 |
The Verdict
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo has a meaningfully higher ROI score (96 vs 84). Graduates earn more relative to cost, and the financial return is noticeably stronger. That said, if San Diego State 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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San Diego State University
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.