University of California-San Diego vs Stanford University: which has better ROI?
Stanford University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $55,228 in 0.7 years versus 1.4 years at University of California-San Diego, on median earnings of $124,080 vs $84,943 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of California-San Diego | Stanford University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,470 | $13,807 |
| Total net cost | $49,880 | $55,228 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $84,943 | $124,080 |
| Median debt | $15,500 | $12,000 |
| Payback | 1.4 yrs | 0.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $681,780 | $1,459,172 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of California-San Diego or Stanford University?
University of California-San Diego, at $12,470 a year after aid versus $13,807 — a gap of $1,337 a year, or $5,348 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 Stanford University graduates earn more?
Stanford University graduates report a median $124,080 ten years after entry, $39,137 more than the $84,943 at University of California-San Diego. 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 Stanford University?
Stanford University: its completers carry a median $12,000 in federal loans versus $15,500 at University of California-San Diego, a difference of $3,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
92% of students finish at Stanford University, against 86% at University of California-San Diego. 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.