University of California-San Diego vs Skyline College: which has better ROI?
Skyline College has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $3,476 in 0.5 years versus 1.4 years at University of California-San Diego, on median earnings of $55,702 vs $84,943 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of California-San Diego | Skyline College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,470 | $1,738 |
| Total net cost | $49,880 | $3,476 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $84,943 | $55,702 |
| Median debt | $15,500 | — |
| Payback | 1.4 yrs | 0.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $681,780 | $143,364 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of California-San Diego or Skyline College?
Skyline College, at $1,738 a year after aid versus $12,470 — a gap of $10,732 a year, or $46,404 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 Skyline College graduates earn more?
University of California-San Diego graduates report a median $84,943 ten years after entry, $29,241 more than the $55,702 at Skyline 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 44% at Skyline 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.