Head-to-head comparison
University of California-Irvine vs San Jose State University: 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 Jose, CA
San Jose State University
- Net price / year
- $13,760
- Earnings, 10 years
- $78,988
- Payback
- 1.8 yrs
University of California-Irvine has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $57,004 in 1.8 years versus 1.8 years at San Jose State University, on median earnings of $80,735 vs $78,988 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of California-Irvine | San Jose State University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $14,251 | $13,760 |
| Total net cost | $57,004 | $55,040 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $80,735 | $78,988 |
| Median debt | $15,000 | $15,000 |
| Payback | 1.8 yrs | 1.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $590,496 | $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-Irvine or San Jose State University?
San Jose State University, at $13,760 a year after aid versus $14,251 — a gap of $491 a year, or $1,964 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 San Jose State University graduates earn more?
University of California-Irvine graduates report a median $80,735 ten years after entry, $1,747 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-Irvine or San Jose State University?
Completers at both borrow a median $15,000, so neither school has the debt advantage. That figure covers federal loans of students who finished — borrowers who leave early are not counted, and private loans sit outside it.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
87% of students finish at University of California-Irvine, 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.