University of California-San Diego — ROI, Cost & Payback
University of California-San Diego charges a net price of $12,470/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $49,880. Graduates earn a median $84,943 ten years after entry, $36,583/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 1.4 years — a 20-year net return of $681,780, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
University of California-San Diego's 1.4-year payback ranks #27 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 98% of them, and #8 of 334 in California.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $12,470/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $49,880 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $84,943 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $36,583/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $15,500 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 1.4 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $681,780 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on University of California-San Diego's own numbers. Net price $12,470 × 4 years = $49,880 total. Median earnings $84,943 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $36,583 a year of premium. $49,880 ÷ $36,583 = 1.4 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $681,780. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do University of California-San Diego students graduate with?
A median $15,500 in federal loans among completers, or 18% of the $84,943 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of University of California-San Diego students graduate?
86% finish their degree. Spread the $49,880 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $58,000 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is University of California-San Diego expensive compared with other California colleges?
Its $12,470 net price runs $7,435 below the $19,905 median across the 334 California colleges we profile, and $29,740 less across the full degree.