San Diego State University vs University of Georgia
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 Georgia holds a 4-point ROI advantage over San Diego State University, scoring 88/100 versus 84/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, University of Georgia comes in at $13,936 per year (net price after aid) versus $15,364 at San Diego State University - a difference of $1,428 annually, or roughly $5,712 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of Georgia graduates earn a median of $68,726 compared to $64,909 at San Diego State University. The payback period is 6.7 years at San Diego State University versus 5.8 years at University of Georgia.
Graduates leave San Diego State University with a median $15,000 in debt versus $18,500 at University of Georgia. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.36 and 0.41 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | San Diego State Universit... | University of Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $8,728 | $11,450 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $21,328 | $31,688 |
| Net Price (avg) | $15,364 | $13,936 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $61,456 | $55,744 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $41,600 | $45,200 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $64,909 | $68,726 |
| Graduation Rate | 76.4% | 89.7% |
| Payback Period | 6.7 yr | 5.8 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $15,000 | $18,500 |
| Monthly Payment | $159 | $196 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.36 | 0.41 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 72.2% | 75.4% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 70.6% | 70.7% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 36.2% | 37.7% |
| Enrollment | 35,377 | 32,137 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | San Diego State Univ... | University of Georgi... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $9,910 | $8,085 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $10,017 | $8,686 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $12,697 | $13,096 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $15,891 | $16,942 |
| $110,001+ | $23,821 | $18,079 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | San Diego State Univ... | University of Georgi... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Engineering | $116,842 | $99,739 |
| International Business | $69,141 | $109,345 |
| Computer Science | $100,586 | $107,397 |
| Electrical Engineering | $106,416 | $98,280 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $97,825 | $88,366 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $88,136 | $97,364 |
| Civil Engineering | $95,865 | $87,684 |
| Accounting | $80,011 | $93,260 |
| Environmental Engineering | $88,417 | $81,604 |
| Marketing | $81,368 | $85,785 |
| Statistics | $83,076 | $83,092 |
| Economics | $74,123 | $82,438 |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology | $81,122 | $37,864 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $69,902 | $80,881 |
| Real Estate | $50,662 | $78,372 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | San Diego State Univ... | University of Georgi... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 89 | 93 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 85 | 90 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 90 | 86 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 87 | 96 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 46 | 56 |
| Overall ROI Score | 84 | 88 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. University of Georgia edges out San Diego State University by 4 points (88 vs 84), 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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San Diego State University
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
University of Georgia
Strong 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.