University of California-San Diego
La Jolla, California · Public · 26.7% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 96/100 · Exceptional Value
University of California-San Diego
Exceptional ValueQuick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $16,758/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $50,958/yr |
| Average net price | $12,470/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $49,880 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $84,943 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $48,200 |
| Median debt at graduation | $15,500 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $164 |
| Estimated payback period | 3.8 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 86.1% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 34,948 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $7,525 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $8,155 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $9,942 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $15,199 |
| $110,001+ | $28,785 |
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at University of California-San Diego with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive Science | $81,160 | B |
| Computer Science | $159,487 | A |
| International/Globalization Studies | $81,174 | B |
| International Relations | $67,713 | C+ |
| Economics | $87,307 | B+ |
| Psychology | $51,679 | C |
| Public Health | $66,110 | B |
| Biology | $64,437 | C+ |
| Mathematics and Computer Science | $137,218 | A |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $89,451 | B+ |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at University of California-San Diego is $16,758/year ($50,958/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $12,470/year, or roughly $49,880 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $7,525/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $28,785/year.
The median graduate leaves with $15,500 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $164 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $84,943 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.32 - well within manageable territory.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 84.2% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 86.4% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 84.8% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 88.3% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 26.7% |
| Enrollment | 34,948 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 34.2% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $19,117 |
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of California-San Diego (this school) | 96 | $12,470 | $84,943 |
| California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | 96 | $16,665 | $90,768 |
| University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | 95 | $13,138 | $83,648 |
| University of Florida | 92 | $6,541 | $71,588 |
| The University of Texas at Austin | 90 | $19,857 | $75,121 |
| California State University-Bakersfield | 75 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
University of California-San Diego is one of the strongest financial investments in higher education. With a total 4-year net cost of $49,880 and median graduate earnings of $84,943 ten years out, the math works decisively in graduates' favor. The estimated payback period of 3.8 years is well below average.
The data highlights several strengths: strong earnings premium over high school graduates, a 86.1% graduation rate, manageable debt relative to earnings, high loan repayment success.
Median debt of $15,500 is very manageable against $84,943 in annual earnings - well within the financial advisor rule of thumb that total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
Rankings & Links
Guides & Tools
Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.