At $11,750/yr net price, University of California-San Diego graduates earn $84,943/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $50,943/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $11,750 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $47,000 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $84,943/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$50,943/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 0.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 87.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $15,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $7,487/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $7,864/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $10,389/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $17,131/yr |
| $110,001+ | $28,113/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science. | Master | $162,463 | $25,903 |
| Computer Engineering. | Master | $127,993 | |
| Economics. | Doctoral | $127,993 | |
| Engineering, Other. | Master | $113,668 | |
| Education, General. | Doctoral | $106,421 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $101,406 | $92,221 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering. | Doctoral | $100,075 | |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Master | $97,959 | $41,000 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Master | $94,408 | $34,311 |
| Physics. | Doctoral | $94,408 |
The Risk Factor
87.6% of students at University of California-San Diego graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
UC San Diego gives you a strong financial return. You pay $11,750 a year, leave with $15,500 in median debt, and earn near $85,000 a decade out. That debt figure is low enough that most graduates clear it fast, and an 87.6% graduation rate plus a 93.94% retention rate means you are very likely to actually finish and collect that payoff.
The engineering and computing programs are where the money is. Computer science graduates pull in $86,972 while carrying about $16,000 in debt, the best debt-to-earnings ratio on this list. Computer engineering, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering all clear $67,000, sitting inside San Diego and greater California's tech and defense job markets. Biomathematics and bioinformatics graduates earn $71,015, tied to the region's biotech cluster.
The risk here is major choice, not the school itself. The listed programs are all STEM fields that carry salaries. UC San Diego's humanities and social science outcomes are not shown, so do not assume they match. If you enroll planning to study something outside engineering, computing, or quantitative biology, you have no salary data to lean on, and the payoff becomes an open question.
Net price scales sharply with income. Under $48,000 in family income, you pay under $8,000 a year. Between $75,000 and $110,000 the price more than doubles to $17,131, and above $110,000 you pay $28,113. If your family sits in that top bracket, the sticker jump is real, though the earnings still justify it for the technical majors.
This school fits you if you are heading into engineering, computer science, or computational biology, especially from a lower-income household. If you want a non-STEM path, look for outcome data before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of California-San Diego worth the cost for most students?
UC San Diego offers strong ROI with a relatively low net price of $11,750 annually and median earnings of $84,943 ten years after graduation. The low median debt of $15,500 and 88% graduation rate make it a solid financial choice for most students.
Which majors at University of California-San Diego have the best return on investment?
Computer Science leads with median earnings of $162,463, followed by Economics and Computer Engineering at around $128,000. These tech-focused programs significantly outpace the school's overall median earnings of $84,943.
How much debt do University of California-San Diego graduates typically have?
UC San Diego graduates have a median debt of $15,500, which is manageable compared to the national average. The combination of low debt and strong earning potential creates favorable loan-to-income ratios for most programs.
Is University of California-San Diego worth it for out-of-state students?
The published net price reflects in-state costs, so out-of-state students face significantly higher expenses. Out-of-state students should focus on high-earning majors like Computer Science or secure substantial financial aid to justify the additional cost.