La Jolla, CA · Private University
Is UC San Diego Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$84,943
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$15,265
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$46,042
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$184,168
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.84x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
3.7 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
87.6%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$15,500
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$11,750
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
University of California-San Diego graduates earn $39,943 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at University of California-San Diego ranked by graduate earnings
266 graduates
88 graduates
30 graduates
114 graduates
54 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at University of California-San Diego
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At University of California-San Diego, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Science: $131,731) and the lowest (English Language and Literature, General: $24,523) is $107,208/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceBest ROI | $131,731 | 2.9x |
| Computer Engineering | $126,160 | 2.7x |
| Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology | $115,165 | 2.5x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $102,389 | 2.2x |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $96,808 | 2.1x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $94,289 | 2.0x |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering | $90,793 | 2.0x |
| Mathematics and Computer Science(1yr data) | $89,651 | 1.9x |
| Chemical Engineering | $85,181 | 1.9x |
| Engineering, Other | $84,972 | 1.9x |
| Civil Engineering | $82,584 | 1.8x |
| Physics | $77,660 | 1.7x |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $71,520 | 1.6x |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | $70,223 | 1.5x |
| Applied Mathematics | $69,079 | 1.5x |
| Economics | $68,970 | 1.5x |
| Cognitive Science | $67,751 | 1.5x |
| Biological/Biosystems Engineering(1yr data) | $67,016 | 1.5x |
| Urban Studies/Affairs | $65,845 | 1.4x |
| International/Global Studies | $63,294 | 1.4x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $62,369 | 1.4x |
| Chemistry | $60,796 | 1.3x |
| Mathematics | $56,452 | 1.2x |
| Biology, General | $56,216 | 1.2x |
| Political Science and Government | $55,931 | 1.2x |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $55,660 | 1.2x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $55,039 | 1.2x |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $53,331 | 1.2x |
| Public Health | $53,015 | 1.1x |
| Sociology | $52,444 | 1.1x |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | $52,252 | 1.1x |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $49,899 | 1.1x |
| History | $48,919 | 1.1x |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | $47,820 | 1.0x |
| Psychology, Other(1yr data) | $47,672 | 1.0x |
| Psychology, General | $47,072 | 1.0x |
| English Language and Literature/Letters, Other | $45,739 | 1.0x |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | $45,476 | 1.0x |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | $44,631 | 1.0x |
| Music | $44,134 | 1.0x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $43,657 | 0.9x |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology(1yr data) | $43,608 | 0.9x |
| Anthropology | $40,554 | 0.9x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $37,883 | 0.8x |
| Statistics(1yr data) | $36,676 | 0.8x |
| Visual and Performing Arts, Other(1yr data) | $34,401 | 0.8x |
| Philosophy(1yr data) | $24,669 | 0.5x |
| English Language and Literature, GeneralLowest(1yr data) | $24,523 | 0.5x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
University of California-San Diego offers solid financial returns relative to its cost. Graduates earn $84,943 10 years after starting — $39,943 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 3.7 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.