Head-to-head comparison
University of California-Davis vs San Jose State University: which has better ROI?
Option A Davis, CA
University of California-Davis
- Net price / year
- $14,741
- Earnings, 10 years
- $80,838
- Payback
- 1.8 yrs
Option B San Jose, CA
San Jose State University
- Net price / year
- $13,760
- Earnings, 10 years
- $78,988
- Payback
- 1.8 yrs
University of California-Davis has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $58,964 in 1.8 years versus 1.8 years at San Jose State University, on median earnings of $80,838 vs $78,988 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of California-Davis | San Jose State University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $14,741 | $13,760 |
| Total net cost | $58,964 | $55,040 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $80,838 | $78,988 |
| Median debt | $13,000 | $15,000 |
| Payback | 1.8 yrs | 1.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $590,596 | $557,520 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of California-Davis or San Jose State University?
San Jose State University, at $13,760 a year after aid versus $14,741 — a gap of $981 a year, or $3,924 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 University of California-Davis or San Jose State University graduates earn more?
University of California-Davis graduates report a median $80,838 ten years after entry, $1,850 more than the $78,988 at San Jose State University. 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, University of California-Davis or San Jose State University?
University of California-Davis: its completers carry a median $13,000 in federal loans versus $15,000 at San Jose State University, a difference of $2,000. 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-Davis, against 69% at San Jose State University. 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.