University of California-Los Angeles vs California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo: which has better ROI?
University of California-Los Angeles has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $50,192 in 1.5 years versus 1.6 years at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, on median earnings of $82,511 vs $90,768 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of California-Los Angeles | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,548 | $16,665 |
| Total net cost | $50,192 | $66,660 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $82,511 | $90,768 |
| Median debt | $14,000 | $18,500 |
| Payback | 1.5 yrs | 1.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $632,828 | $781,500 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of California-Los Angeles or California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo?
University of California-Los Angeles, at $12,548 a year after aid versus $16,665 — a gap of $4,117 a year, or $16,468 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-Los Angeles or California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo graduates earn more?
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo graduates report a median $90,768 ten years after entry, $8,257 more than the $82,511 at University of California-Los Angeles. 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-Los Angeles or California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo?
University of California-Los Angeles: its completers carry a median $14,000 in federal loans versus $18,500 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, a difference of $4,500. 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-Los Angeles, 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.