California State University-Fullerton vs University of California-San Diego: which has better ROI?
University of California-San Diego has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $49,880 in 1.4 years versus 1.8 years at California State University-Fullerton, on median earnings of $84,943 vs $62,951 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | California State University-Fullerton | University of California-San Diego |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $6,555 | $12,470 |
| Total net cost | $26,220 | $49,880 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $62,951 | $84,943 |
| Median debt | $13,750 | $15,500 |
| Payback | 1.8 yrs | 1.4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $265,600 | $681,780 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, California State University-Fullerton or University of California-San Diego?
California State University-Fullerton, at $6,555 a year after aid versus $12,470 — a gap of $5,915 a year, or $23,660 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do California State University-Fullerton or University of California-San Diego graduates earn more?
University of California-San Diego graduates report a median $84,943 ten years after entry, $21,992 more than the $62,951 at California State University-Fullerton. 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.
Which leaves students with less debt, California State University-Fullerton or University of California-San Diego?
California State University-Fullerton: its completers carry a median $13,750 in federal loans versus $15,500 at University of California-San Diego, a difference of $1,750. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
86% of students finish at University of California-San Diego, against 70% at California State University-Fullerton. 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.