University of California-Riverside 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 13-point ROI advantage over University of California-Riverside, scoring 96/100 versus 83/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, University of California-Riverside comes in at $14,304 per year (net price after aid) versus $16,665 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo - a difference of $2,361 annually, or roughly $9,444 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo graduates earn a median of $90,768 compared to $67,699 at University of California-Riverside. The payback period is 6 years at University of California-Riverside versus 3.7 years at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo.
Graduates leave University of California-Riverside with a median $17,500 in debt versus $18,500 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.48 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 | $15,606 | $13,596 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $49,806 | $34,665 |
| Net Price (avg) | $14,304 | $16,665 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $57,216 | $66,660 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $36,800 | $54,700 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $67,699 | $90,768 |
| Graduation Rate | 76.0% | 86.4% |
| Payback Period | 6 yr | 3.7 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $17,500 | $18,500 |
| Monthly Payment | $186 | $196 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.48 | 0.34 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 72.7% | 91.5% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 69.2% | 88.5% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 76.4% | 31.3% |
| Enrollment | 22,593 | 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 | $8,852 | $7,529 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $9,840 | $7,253 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $13,111 | $9,896 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $16,571 | $15,786 |
| $110,001+ | $30,393 | $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 | $117,705 | $154,784 |
| Computer Engineering | $107,193 | $148,950 |
| Electrical Engineering | $102,630 | $125,240 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $72,027 | $110,902 |
| Biomedical Engineering | $90,041 | $109,232 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $93,721 | $106,750 |
| Environmental Engineering | $84,300 | $102,702 |
| Statistics | $78,492 | $101,353 |
| Economics | $66,682 | $98,927 |
| Philosophy | $51,402 | $98,592 |
| Physics | $74,410 | $96,805 |
| Mathematics | $63,596 | $83,187 |
| International Relations | $56,740 | $81,843 |
| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | $59,549 | $78,097 |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology | $72,295 | $55,807 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of Califo... | California Polytechn... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 92 | 97 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 89 | 98 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 78 | 92 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 86 | 94 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 48 | 97 |
| Overall ROI Score | 83 | 96 |
The Verdict
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo has a meaningfully higher ROI score (96 vs 83). Graduates earn more relative to cost, and the financial return is noticeably stronger. That said, if University of California-Riverside offers a significantly better program in your intended major, it could still be the better financial choice for you specifically.
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University of California-Riverside
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.