Head-to-head comparison
University of California-San Diego vs California State University-Los Angeles: 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 Los Angeles, CA
California State University-Los Angeles
- Net price / year
- $3,967
- Earnings, 10 years
- $59,211
- Payback
- 1.5 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 1.5 years at California State University-Los Angeles, on median earnings of $84,943 vs $59,211 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of California-San Diego | California State University-Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,470 | $3,967 |
| Total net cost | $49,880 | $15,868 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $84,943 | $59,211 |
| Median debt | $15,500 | $13,000 |
| Payback | 1.4 yrs | 1.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $681,780 | $201,152 |
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 State University-Los Angeles?
California State University-Los Angeles, at $3,967 a year after aid versus $12,470 — a gap of $8,503 a year, or $34,012 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 State University-Los Angeles graduates earn more?
University of California-San Diego graduates report a median $84,943 ten years after entry, $25,732 more than the $59,211 at California State University-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-San Diego or California State University-Los Angeles?
California State University-Los Angeles: its completers carry a median $13,000 in federal loans versus $15,500 at University of California-San Diego, a difference of $2,500. 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?
86% of students finish at University of California-San Diego, against 53% at California State University-Los Angeles. 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.