University of California-San Diego vs University of California-Berkeley: which has better ROI?
University of California-Berkeley has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $53,924 in 1.2 years versus 1.4 years at University of California-San Diego, on median earnings of $92,446 vs $84,943 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of California-San Diego | University of California-Berkeley |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,470 | $13,481 |
| Total net cost | $49,880 | $53,924 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $84,943 | $92,446 |
| Median debt | $15,500 | $13,000 |
| Payback | 1.4 yrs | 1.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $681,780 | $827,796 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of California-San Diego or University of California-Berkeley?
University of California-San Diego, at $12,470 a year after aid versus $13,481 — a gap of $1,011 a year, or $4,044 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 University of California-Berkeley graduates earn more?
University of California-Berkeley graduates report a median $92,446 ten years after entry, $7,503 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 University of California-Berkeley?
University of California-Berkeley: its completers carry a median $13,000 in federal loans versus $15,500 at University of California-San Diego, a difference of $2,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
93% of students finish at University of California-Berkeley, 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.