University of California-San Diego vs Canada College: which has better ROI?
Canada College has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $64 in 0 years versus 1.4 years at University of California-San Diego, on median earnings of $50,087 vs $84,943 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of California-San Diego | Canada College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,470 | $32 |
| Total net cost | $49,880 | $64 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $84,943 | $50,087 |
| Median debt | $15,500 | — |
| Payback | 1.4 yrs | 0 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $681,780 | $34,476 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of California-San Diego or Canada College?
Canada College, at $32 a year after aid versus $12,470 — a gap of $12,438 a year, or $49,816 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 Canada College graduates earn more?
University of California-San Diego graduates report a median $84,943 ten years after entry, $34,856 more than the $50,087 at Canada College. 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?
86% of students finish at University of California-San Diego, against 47% at Canada College. 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.