University of California-Irvine 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-Irvine and California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo are closely matched on financial return. University of California-Irvine scores 94/100 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-Irvine comes in at $14,251 per year (net price after aid) versus $16,665 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo - a difference of $2,414 annually, or roughly $9,656 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo graduates earn a median of $90,768 compared to $80,735 at University of California-Irvine. The payback period is 4.3 years at University of California-Irvine versus 3.7 years at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo.
Graduates leave University of California-Irvine with a median $15,000 in debt versus $18,500 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.34 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 | $15,722 | $13,596 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $49,922 | $34,665 |
| Net Price (avg) | $14,251 | $16,665 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $57,004 | $66,660 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $44,300 | $54,700 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $80,735 | $90,768 |
| Graduation Rate | 86.9% | 86.4% |
| Payback Period | 4.3 yr | 3.7 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $15,000 | $18,500 |
| Monthly Payment | $159 | $196 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.34 | 0.34 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 82.7% | 91.5% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 78.3% | 88.5% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 28.6% | 31.3% |
| Enrollment | 30,197 | 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 | $8,123 | $7,529 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $9,313 | $7,253 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $11,642 | $9,896 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $15,164 | $15,786 |
| $110,001+ | $30,546 | $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 | $127,404 | $154,784 |
| Computer Engineering | $132,357 | $148,950 |
| Electrical Engineering | $106,871 | $125,240 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $80,755 | $110,902 |
| Biomedical Engineering | $96,874 | $109,232 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | $100,537 | $107,498 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $99,111 | $106,750 |
| Materials Engineering | $106,547 | $100,599 |
| Civil Engineering | $96,354 | $101,072 |
| Economics | $83,937 | $98,927 |
| Philosophy | $20,922 | $98,592 |
| Physics | $96,215 | $96,805 |
| Mathematics | $77,472 | $83,187 |
| International Relations | $63,318 | $81,843 |
| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | $42,200 | $78,097 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of Califo... | California Polytechn... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 97 | 97 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 97 | 98 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 92 | 92 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 94 | 94 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 78 | 97 |
| Overall ROI Score | 94 | 96 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo edges out University of California-Irvine by 2 points (96 vs 94), 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.
Want to personalize these numbers?
The ROI calculator lets you plug in your financial aid, intended major, and living situation for a tailored comparison.
University of California-Irvine
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.