Head-to-head comparison
California State University-Fullerton vs University of California-San Diego: which has better ROI?
Option A Fullerton, CA
California State University-Fullerton
- Net price / year
- $6,555
- Earnings, 10 years
- $62,951
- Payback
- 1.8 yrs
Option B La Jolla, CA
University of California-San Diego
- Net price / year
- $12,470
- Earnings, 10 years
- $84,943
- Payback
- 1.4 yrs
University of California-San Diego has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $49,880 in 1.4 years versus 1.8 years at California State University-Fullerton, on median earnings of $84,943 vs $62,951 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | California State University-Fullerton | University of California-San Diego |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $6,555 | $12,470 |
| Total net cost | $26,220 | $49,880 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $62,951 | $84,943 |
| Median debt | $13,750 | $15,500 |
| Payback | 1.8 yrs | 1.4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $265,600 | $681,780 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, California State University-Fullerton or University of California-San Diego?
California State University-Fullerton, at $6,555 a year after aid versus $12,470 — a gap of $5,915 a year, or $23,660 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do California State University-Fullerton or University of California-San Diego graduates earn more?
University of California-San Diego graduates report a median $84,943 ten years after entry, $21,992 more than the $62,951 at California State University-Fullerton. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, California State University-Fullerton or University of California-San Diego?
California State University-Fullerton: its completers carry a median $13,750 in federal loans versus $15,500 at University of California-San Diego, a difference of $1,750. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
86% of students finish at University of California-San Diego, against 70% at California State University-Fullerton. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.