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Head-to-head comparison

University of California-San Diego vs University of California-Los Angeles: which has better ROI?

Public, La Jolla CA · vs · Public, Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles, CA

University of California-Los Angeles

Net price / year
$12,548
Earnings, 10 years
$82,511
Payback
1.5 yrs
The verdict

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 University of California-Los Angeles, on median earnings of $84,943 vs $82,511 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of California-San DiegoUniversity of California-Los Angeles
Net price / yr$12,470$12,548
Total net cost$49,880$50,192
Median earnings, 10 yrs$84,943$82,511
Median debt$15,500$14,000
Payback1.4 yrs1.5 yrs
20-year net return$681,780$632,828

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 University of California-Los Angeles?

University of California-San Diego, at $12,470 a year after aid versus $12,548 — a gap of $78 a year, or $312 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 University of California-Los Angeles graduates earn more?

University of California-San Diego graduates report a median $84,943 ten years after entry, $2,432 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-San Diego or University of California-Los Angeles?

University of California-Los Angeles: its completers carry a median $14,000 in federal loans versus $15,500 at University of California-San Diego, a difference of $1,500. 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 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.

University of California-San Diego vs University of California-Los Angeles: frequently asked questions

Is University of California-San Diego or University of California-Los Angeles a better value?
University of California-San Diego. It clears its $49,880 net cost in about 1.4 years versus 1.5 years at University of California-Los Angeles, on median earnings of $84,943 vs $82,511 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of California-San Diego or University of California-Los Angeles?
University of California-San Diego: $12,470/yr net price after aid versus $12,548/yr at University of California-Los Angeles — a difference of $78 a year, or about $312 over four years.
Do University of California-San Diego or University of California-Los Angeles graduates earn more?
University of California-San Diego graduates earn a median $84,943 ten years after entry, versus $82,511 at University of California-Los Angeles — a $2,432 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.