Head-to-head comparison
University of California-San Diego vs College of San Mateo: 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 Mateo, CA
College of San Mateo
- Net price / year
- $536
- Earnings, 10 years
- $54,172
- Payback
- 0.2 yrs
College of San Mateo has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $1,072 in 0.2 years versus 1.4 years at University of California-San Diego, on median earnings of $54,172 vs $84,943 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of California-San Diego | College of San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,470 | $536 |
| Total net cost | $49,880 | $1,072 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $84,943 | $54,172 |
| Median debt | $15,500 | $14,695 |
| Payback | 1.4 yrs | 0.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $681,780 | $115,168 |
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 College of San Mateo?
College of San Mateo, at $536 a year after aid versus $12,470 — a gap of $11,934 a year, or $48,808 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 College of San Mateo graduates earn more?
University of California-San Diego graduates report a median $84,943 ten years after entry, $30,771 more than the $54,172 at College of San Mateo. 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 College of San Mateo?
College of San Mateo: its completers carry a median $14,695 in federal loans versus $15,500 at University of California-San Diego, a difference of $805. 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 61% at College of San Mateo. 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.