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Head-to-head comparison

University of California-San Diego vs Skyline College: which has better ROI?

Public, La Jolla CA · vs · Public, San Bruno CA

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

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 Bruno, CA

Skyline College

Net price / year
$1,738
Earnings, 10 years
$55,702
Payback
0.5 yrs
The verdict

Skyline College has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $3,476 in 0.5 years versus 1.4 years at University of California-San Diego, on median earnings of $55,702 vs $84,943 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of California-San DiegoSkyline College
Net price / yr$12,470$1,738
Total net cost$49,880$3,476
Median earnings, 10 yrs$84,943$55,702
Median debt$15,500—
Payback1.4 yrs0.5 yrs
20-year net return$681,780$143,364

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 Skyline College?

Skyline College, at $1,738 a year after aid versus $12,470 — a gap of $10,732 a year, or $46,404 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 Skyline College graduates earn more?

University of California-San Diego graduates report a median $84,943 ten years after entry, $29,241 more than the $55,702 at Skyline College. 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 graduates more of its students?

86% of students finish at University of California-San Diego, against 44% at Skyline College. 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.

University of California-San Diego vs Skyline College: frequently asked questions

Is University of California-San Diego or Skyline College a better value?
Skyline College. It clears its $3,476 net cost in about 0.5 years versus 1.4 years at University of California-San Diego, on median earnings of $55,702 vs $84,943 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of California-San Diego or Skyline College?
Skyline College: $1,738/yr net price after aid versus $12,470/yr at University of California-San Diego — a difference of $10,732 a year, or about $46,404 over four years.
Do University of California-San Diego or Skyline College graduates earn more?
University of California-San Diego graduates earn a median $84,943 ten years after entry, versus $55,702 at Skyline College — a $29,241 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.