University of California-San Diego 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-San Diego and California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo are closely matched on financial return. University of California-San Diego scores 96/100 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-San Diego comes in at $12,470 per year (net price after aid) versus $16,665 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo - a difference of $4,195 annually, or roughly $16,780 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo graduates earn a median of $90,768 compared to $84,943 at University of California-San Diego. The payback period is 3.8 years at University of California-San Diego versus 3.7 years at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo.
Graduates leave University of California-San Diego with a median $15,500 in debt versus $18,500 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.32 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 | $16,758 | $13,596 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $50,958 | $34,665 |
| Net Price (avg) | $12,470 | $16,665 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $49,880 | $66,660 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $48,200 | $54,700 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $84,943 | $90,768 |
| Graduation Rate | 86.1% | 86.4% |
| Payback Period | 3.8 yr | 3.7 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $15,500 | $18,500 |
| Monthly Payment | $164 | $196 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.32 | 0.34 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 86.4% | 91.5% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 84.8% | 88.5% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 26.7% | 31.3% |
| Enrollment | 34,948 | 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 | $7,525 | $7,529 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $8,155 | $7,253 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $9,942 | $9,896 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $15,199 | $15,786 |
| $110,001+ | $28,785 | $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 | $159,487 | $154,784 |
| Computer Engineering | $149,139 | $148,950 |
| Electrical Engineering | $118,150 | $125,240 |
| Biomedical Engineering | $98,687 | $109,232 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | $100,173 | $107,498 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $104,229 | $106,750 |
| Statistics | $96,746 | $101,353 |
| Civil Engineering | $91,745 | $101,072 |
| Economics | $87,307 | $98,927 |
| Philosophy | $24,669 | $98,592 |
| Physics | $95,018 | $96,805 |
| Mathematics | $79,015 | $83,187 |
| International Relations | $67,713 | $81,843 |
| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | $72,491 | $78,097 |
| Chemistry | $77,249 | $63,882 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of Califo... | California Polytechn... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 98 | 97 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 98 | 98 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 93 | 92 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 94 | 94 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 89 | 97 |
| Overall ROI Score | 96 | 96 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. University of California-San Diego edges out California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo by 0 points (96 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-San Diego
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.