Head-to-head comparison
University of California-San Diego vs California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo: which has better ROI?
Option A La Jolla, CA
University of California-San Diego
- Net price / year
- $12,470
- Earnings, 10 years
- $84,943
- Payback
- 1.4 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-San Diego has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $49,880 in 1.4 years versus 1.6 years at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, on median earnings of $84,943 vs $90,768 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of California-San Diego | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,470 | $16,665 |
| Total net cost | $49,880 | $66,660 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $84,943 | $90,768 |
| Median debt | $15,500 | $18,500 |
| Payback | 1.4 yrs | 1.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $681,780 | $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-San Diego or California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo?
University of California-San Diego, at $12,470 a year after aid versus $16,665 — a gap of $4,195 a year, or $16,780 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-San Diego 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, $5,825 more than the $84,943 at University of California-San Diego. 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-San Diego or California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo?
University of California-San Diego: its completers carry a median $15,500 in federal loans versus $18,500 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, a difference of $3,000. 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 California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, against 86% at University of California-San Diego. 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.