University of California-San Diego vs California State University-San Bernardino: 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 1.6 years at California State University-San Bernardino, on median earnings of $84,943 vs $59,977 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of California-San Diego | California State University-San Bernardino |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,470 | $4,564 |
| Total net cost | $49,880 | $18,256 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $84,943 | $59,977 |
| Median debt | $15,500 | $14,715 |
| Payback | 1.4 yrs | 1.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $681,780 | $214,084 |
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-San Bernardino?
California State University-San Bernardino, at $4,564 a year after aid versus $12,470 — a gap of $7,906 a year, or $31,624 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-San Bernardino graduates earn more?
University of California-San Diego graduates report a median $84,943 ten years after entry, $24,966 more than the $59,977 at California State University-San Bernardino. 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-San Bernardino?
California State University-San Bernardino: its completers carry a median $14,715 in federal loans versus $15,500 at University of California-San Diego, a difference of $785. 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 55% at California State University-San Bernardino. 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.