University of California-San Diego
Ca · Public · 100% graduation rate
University of California-San Diego is a public university in Ca with a 100% graduation rate. We track 20 majors with debt-to-earnings ROI analysis. The highest-ROI major is Computer Science (grade A), with median debt of $17K and year-5 earnings of $147K. Data comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and NCES IPEDS.
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ROI by Major
Debt and earnings data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. ROI grades compare median student debt at graduation to earnings 1 and 5 years after completion, adjusted for NCES IPEDS graduation rates.
| Major | Median Debt | Year 1 Earnings | Year 5 Earnings | ROI Grade | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $17K | $95K | $147K | A | STRONG BUY |
| Mathematics | $17K | $78K | $126K | A | STRONG BUY |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $17K | $95K | $147K | A | STRONG BUY |
| Computer Engineering | $17K | $92K | $129K | A | STRONG BUY |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | $17K | $92K | $129K | A | STRONG BUY |
| Chemistry | $17K | $65K | $90K | A | STRONG BUY |
| Public Health | $21K | $62K | $86K | A | STRONG BUY |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $19K | $65K | $89K | A | STRONG BUY |
| Political Science and Government | $19K | $58K | $78K | B | BUY |
| Economics | $19K | $58K | $78K | B | BUY |
| Sociology | $19K | $58K | $78K | B | BUY |
| International/Globalization Studies | $19K | $52K | $72K | B | BUY |
| Mathematics and Computer Science | $19K | $52K | $72K | B | BUY |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | $19K | $55K | $74K | B | BUY |
| Cognitive Science | $19K | $52K | $72K | B | BUY |
| Biology | $19K | $55K | $74K | B | BUY |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $19K | $55K | $74K | B | BUY |
| Psychology | $19K | $48K | $65K | B | BUY |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | $19K | $48K | $65K | B | BUY |
| Communication and Media Studies | $19K | $52K | $69K | B | BUY |
Similar Schools in Ca
How University of California-San Diego Compares
University of California-San Diego graduates carry a median debt of $19K across tracked majors, which is $7K less than the public universities average of $26K. Year-1 earnings average $64K, about $6K above peers of the same type. Within Ca, the per-major debt average is $26K, so this school sits $7K below the state median. Its composite ROI score of 79 is 7 points above the public universities baseline (72). Graduation rate of 100% is a primary ROI driver, since it determines how many students actually reach the earnings levels listed. Across the full site (2202 schools), the debt average is $26K.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on your major. The highest-ROI major at University of California-San Diego earns a grade of A, with median debt of $17K and year-5 earnings of $147K. Compare debt-to-earnings ratios across majors before deciding.
University of California-San Diego has a 100% graduation rate. A higher graduation rate generally correlates with better student support and outcomes, which can impact your return on investment.
Median debt varies significantly by major at University of California-San Diego. For example, Computer Science graduates have median debt of $17K. Review the ROI by Major table above for a full breakdown.
The top-earning major is Computer Science with median year-5 earnings of $147K. We rank each major by its debt-to-earnings ROI score to help you compare options.
Explore College ROI Data
ROI scores are calculated by comparing median debt at graduation to median earnings 1 and 5 years after completion, weighted by graduation rate. Grades range from A (strong return) to F (poor return).