Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

University of California-San Diego vs University of California-Los Angeles: which has better ROI?

Public, La Jolla CA · vs · Public, Los Angeles CA

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

University of California-San Diego has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $49,880 in 1.4 years versus 1.5 years at University of California-Los Angeles, on median earnings of $84,943 vs $82,511 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureUniversity of California-San DiegoUniversity of California-Los Angeles
Net price / yr$12,470$12,548
Total net cost$49,880$50,192
Median earnings, 10 yrs$84,943$82,511
Median debt$15,500$14,000
Payback1.4 yrs1.5 yrs
20-year net return$681,780$632,828

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-Los Angeles?

University of California-San Diego, at $12,470 a year after aid versus $12,548 — a gap of $78 a year, or $312 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-Los Angeles graduates earn more?

University of California-San Diego graduates report a median $84,943 ten years after entry, $2,432 more than the $82,511 at University of California-Los Angeles. 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-Los Angeles?

University of California-Los Angeles: its completers carry a median $14,000 in federal loans versus $15,500 at University of California-San Diego, a difference of $1,500. 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-Los Angeles, 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.

University of California-San Diego vs University of California-Los Angeles: frequently asked questions

Is University of California-San Diego or University of California-Los Angeles a better value?
University of California-San Diego. It clears its $49,880 net cost in about 1.4 years versus 1.5 years at University of California-Los Angeles, on median earnings of $84,943 vs $82,511 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of California-San Diego or University of California-Los Angeles?
University of California-San Diego: $12,470/yr net price after aid versus $12,548/yr at University of California-Los Angeles — a difference of $78 a year, or about $312 over four years.
Do University of California-San Diego or University of California-Los Angeles graduates earn more?
University of California-San Diego graduates earn a median $84,943 ten years after entry, versus $82,511 at University of California-Los Angeles — a $2,432 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.