University of California-San Diego vs California State University-Los Angeles: which has better ROI?
University of California-San Diego has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $49,880 in 1.4 years versus 1.5 years at California State University-Los Angeles, on median earnings of $84,943 vs $59,211 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of California-San Diego | California State University-Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,470 | $3,967 |
| Total net cost | $49,880 | $15,868 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $84,943 | $59,211 |
| Median debt | $15,500 | $13,000 |
| Payback | 1.4 yrs | 1.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $681,780 | $201,152 |
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 State University-Los Angeles?
California State University-Los Angeles, at $3,967 a year after aid versus $12,470 — a gap of $8,503 a year, or $34,012 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 State University-Los Angeles graduates earn more?
University of California-San Diego graduates report a median $84,943 ten years after entry, $25,732 more than the $59,211 at California State University-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-San Diego or California State University-Los Angeles?
California State University-Los Angeles: its completers carry a median $13,000 in federal loans versus $15,500 at University of California-San Diego, a difference of $2,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
86% of students finish at University of California-San Diego, against 53% at California State University-Los Angeles. 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.