San Diego State University vs University of California-Santa Cruz: which has better ROI?
University of California-Santa Cruz has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $71,560 in 3.6 years versus 3.7 years at San Diego State University, on median earnings of $68,396 vs $64,909 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | San Diego State University | University of California-Santa Cruz |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $15,364 | $17,890 |
| Total net cost | $61,456 | $71,560 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $64,909 | $68,396 |
| Median debt | $15,000 | $16,666 |
| Payback | 3.7 yrs | 3.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $269,524 | $329,160 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, San Diego State University or University of California-Santa Cruz?
San Diego State University, at $15,364 a year after aid versus $17,890 — a gap of $2,526 a year, or $10,104 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do San Diego State University or University of California-Santa Cruz graduates earn more?
University of California-Santa Cruz graduates report a median $68,396 ten years after entry, $3,487 more than the $64,909 at San Diego State University. 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, San Diego State University or University of California-Santa Cruz?
San Diego State University: its completers carry a median $15,000 in federal loans versus $16,666 at University of California-Santa Cruz, a difference of $1,666. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
76% of students finish at San Diego State University, against 75% at University of California-Santa Cruz. 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.