University of California-Berkeley vs California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo: which has better ROI?
University of California-Berkeley has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $53,924 in 1.2 years versus 1.6 years at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, on median earnings of $92,446 vs $90,768 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of California-Berkeley | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,481 | $16,665 |
| Total net cost | $53,924 | $66,660 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $92,446 | $90,768 |
| Median debt | $13,000 | $18,500 |
| Payback | 1.2 yrs | 1.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $827,796 | $781,500 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of California-Berkeley or California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo?
University of California-Berkeley, at $13,481 a year after aid versus $16,665 — a gap of $3,184 a year, or $12,736 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University of California-Berkeley or California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo graduates earn more?
University of California-Berkeley graduates report a median $92,446 ten years after entry, $1,678 more than the $90,768 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. 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, University of California-Berkeley or California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo?
University of California-Berkeley: its completers carry a median $13,000 in federal loans versus $18,500 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, a difference of $5,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
93% of students finish at University of California-Berkeley, against 86% at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. 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.