Head-to-head comparison
University of California-Irvine vs California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo: which has better ROI?
Option A Irvine, CA
University of California-Irvine
- Net price / year
- $14,251
- Earnings, 10 years
- $80,735
- Payback
- 1.8 yrs
Option B San Luis Obispo, CA
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
- Net price / year
- $16,665
- Earnings, 10 years
- $90,768
- Payback
- 1.6 yrs
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $66,660 in 1.6 years versus 1.8 years at University of California-Irvine, on median earnings of $90,768 vs $80,735 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of California-Irvine | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $14,251 | $16,665 |
| Total net cost | $57,004 | $66,660 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $80,735 | $90,768 |
| Median debt | $15,000 | $18,500 |
| Payback | 1.8 yrs | 1.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $590,496 | $781,500 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of California-Irvine or California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo?
University of California-Irvine, at $14,251 a year after aid versus $16,665 — a gap of $2,414 a year, or $9,656 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-Irvine or California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo graduates earn more?
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo graduates report a median $90,768 ten years after entry, $10,033 more than the $80,735 at University of California-Irvine. 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-Irvine or California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo?
University of California-Irvine: its completers carry a median $15,000 in federal loans versus $18,500 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, a difference of $3,500. 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?
87% of students finish at University of California-Irvine, against 86% at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. 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.