University of California-Davis 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-Davis and California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo are closely matched on financial return. University of California-Davis scores 95/100 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-Davis comes in at $14,741 per year (net price after aid) versus $16,665 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo - a difference of $1,924 annually, or roughly $7,696 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo graduates earn a median of $90,768 compared to $80,838 at University of California-Davis. The payback period is 4.3 years at University of California-Davis versus 3.7 years at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo.
Graduates leave University of California-Davis with a median $13,000 in debt versus $18,500 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.29 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 | $16,774 | $13,596 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $50,974 | $34,665 |
| Net Price (avg) | $14,741 | $16,665 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $58,964 | $66,660 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $45,300 | $54,700 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $80,838 | $90,768 |
| Graduation Rate | 85.7% | 86.4% |
| Payback Period | 4.3 yr | 3.7 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $13,000 | $18,500 |
| Monthly Payment | $138 | $196 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.29 | 0.34 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 88.2% | 91.5% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 83.9% | 88.5% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 41.8% | 31.3% |
| Enrollment | 32,253 | 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 | $9,211 | $7,529 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $9,966 | $7,253 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $11,951 | $9,896 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $16,294 | $15,786 |
| $110,001+ | $31,272 | $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 Engineering | $145,422 | $148,950 |
| Biomedical Engineering | $98,504 | $109,232 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | $93,414 | $107,498 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $102,161 | $106,750 |
| Statistics | $88,033 | $101,353 |
| Civil Engineering | $95,939 | $101,072 |
| Materials Engineering | $89,983 | $100,599 |
| Economics | $83,248 | $98,927 |
| Philosophy | $58,633 | $98,592 |
| Physics | $78,569 | $96,805 |
| Mathematics | $72,640 | $83,187 |
| Plant Sciences | $72,335 | $82,487 |
| International Relations | $67,759 | $81,843 |
| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | $70,754 | $78,097 |
| Food Science and Technology | $70,571 | $75,466 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of Califo... | California Polytechn... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 96 | 97 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 97 | 98 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 95 | 92 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 94 | 94 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 92 | 97 |
| Overall ROI Score | 95 | 96 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo edges out University of California-Davis by 1 points (96 vs 95), 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-Davis
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.