Head-to-head comparison
University of California-Los Angeles vs California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo: which has better ROI?
Option A Los Angeles, CA
University of California-Los Angeles
- Net price / year
- $12,548
- Earnings, 10 years
- $82,511
- Payback
- 1.5 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
University of California-Los Angeles has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $50,192 in 1.5 years versus 1.6 years at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, on median earnings of $82,511 vs $90,768 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of California-Los Angeles | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,548 | $16,665 |
| Total net cost | $50,192 | $66,660 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $82,511 | $90,768 |
| Median debt | $14,000 | $18,500 |
| Payback | 1.5 yrs | 1.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $632,828 | $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-Los Angeles or California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo?
University of California-Los Angeles, at $12,548 a year after aid versus $16,665 — a gap of $4,117 a year, or $16,468 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-Los Angeles 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, $8,257 more than the $82,511 at University of California-Los Angeles. 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-Los Angeles or California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo?
University of California-Los Angeles: its completers carry a median $14,000 in federal loans versus $18,500 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, a difference of $4,500. 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?
93% of students finish at University of California-Los Angeles, 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.