University of California-Berkeley 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
University of California-Berkeley and California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo are closely matched on financial return. University of California-Berkeley scores 97/100 while California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo scores 96/100 - 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 California-Berkeley comes in at $13,481 per year (net price after aid) versus $16,665 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo - a difference of $3,184 annually, or roughly $12,736 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of California-Berkeley graduates earn a median of $92,446 compared to $90,768 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. The payback period is 3.4 years at University of California-Berkeley versus 3.7 years at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo.
Graduates leave University of California-Berkeley with a median $13,000 in debt versus $18,500 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.23 and 0.34 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University of California-... | California Polytechnic St... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $16,347 | $13,596 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $50,547 | $34,665 |
| Net Price (avg) | $13,481 | $16,665 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $53,924 | $66,660 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $57,600 | $54,700 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $92,446 | $90,768 |
| Graduation Rate | 92.8% | 86.4% |
| Payback Period | 3.4 yr | 3.7 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $13,000 | $18,500 |
| Monthly Payment | $138 | $196 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.23 | 0.34 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 84.9% | 91.5% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 80.2% | 88.5% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 11.0% | 31.3% |
| Enrollment | 33,068 | 21,996 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University of Califo... | California Polytechn... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $5,311 | $7,529 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $6,501 | $7,253 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $9,693 | $9,896 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $15,074 | $15,786 |
| $110,001+ | $34,529 | $27,772 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | University of Califo... | California Polytechn... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $204,379 | $154,784 |
| Electrical Engineering | $200,543 | $125,240 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $144,599 | $110,902 |
| Economics | $135,050 | $98,927 |
| Statistics | $133,986 | $101,353 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $119,371 | $106,750 |
| Biomedical Engineering | $110,597 | $109,232 |
| Civil Engineering | $108,548 | $101,072 |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology | $103,546 | $55,807 |
| Social Sciences, Other | $101,138 | $57,360 |
| Philosophy | $63,326 | $98,592 |
| Physics | $96,043 | $96,805 |
| Mathematics | $80,654 | $83,187 |
| Chemistry | $82,386 | $63,882 |
| International Relations | $75,128 | $81,843 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of Califo... | California Polytechn... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 98 | 97 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 99 | 98 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 97 | 92 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 97 | 94 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 86 | 97 |
| Overall ROI Score | 97 | 96 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. University of California-Berkeley edges out California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo by 1 points (97 vs 96), 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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University of California-Berkeley
Exceptional 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.