University of California-San Diego vs California Institute of Technology: which has better ROI?
California Institute of Technology has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $64,300 in 0.8 years versus 1.4 years at University of California-San Diego, on median earnings of $128,566 vs $84,943 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of California-San Diego | California Institute of Technology |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,470 | $16,075 |
| Total net cost | $49,880 | $64,300 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $84,943 | $128,566 |
| Median debt | $15,500 | — |
| Payback | 1.4 yrs | 0.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $681,780 | $1,539,820 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of California-San Diego or California Institute of Technology?
University of California-San Diego, at $12,470 a year after aid versus $16,075 — a gap of $3,605 a year, or $14,420 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-San Diego or California Institute of Technology graduates earn more?
California Institute of Technology graduates report a median $128,566 ten years after entry, $43,623 more than the $84,943 at University of California-San Diego. 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 graduates more of its students?
94% of students finish at California Institute of Technology, against 86% at University of California-San Diego. 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.