University of California-Irvine vs San Jose State University: which has better ROI?
University of California-Irvine has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $57,004 in 1.8 years versus 1.8 years at San Jose State University, on median earnings of $80,735 vs $78,988 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of California-Irvine | San Jose State University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $14,251 | $13,760 |
| Total net cost | $57,004 | $55,040 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $80,735 | $78,988 |
| Median debt | $15,000 | $15,000 |
| Payback | 1.8 yrs | 1.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $590,496 | $557,520 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of California-Irvine or San Jose State University?
San Jose State University, at $13,760 a year after aid versus $14,251 — a gap of $491 a year, or $1,964 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-Irvine or San Jose State University graduates earn more?
University of California-Irvine graduates report a median $80,735 ten years after entry, $1,747 more than the $78,988 at San Jose 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, University of California-Irvine or San Jose State University?
Completers at both borrow a median $15,000, so neither school has the debt advantage. That figure covers federal loans of students who finished — borrowers who leave early are not counted, and private loans sit outside it.
Which graduates more of its students?
87% of students finish at University of California-Irvine, against 69% at San Jose State University. 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.