University of California-San Diego vs College of San Mateo: which has better ROI?
College of San Mateo has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $1,072 in 0.2 years versus 1.4 years at University of California-San Diego, on median earnings of $54,172 vs $84,943 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of California-San Diego | College of San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,470 | $536 |
| Total net cost | $49,880 | $1,072 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $84,943 | $54,172 |
| Median debt | $15,500 | $14,695 |
| Payback | 1.4 yrs | 0.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $681,780 | $115,168 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of California-San Diego or College of San Mateo?
College of San Mateo, at $536 a year after aid versus $12,470 — a gap of $11,934 a year, or $48,808 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 College of San Mateo graduates earn more?
University of California-San Diego graduates report a median $84,943 ten years after entry, $30,771 more than the $54,172 at College of San Mateo. 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 College of San Mateo?
College of San Mateo: its completers carry a median $14,695 in federal loans versus $15,500 at University of California-San Diego, a difference of $805. 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 61% at College of San Mateo. 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.