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Is University of California-San Diego worth it?
A first pass affordability and outcome read for University of California-San Diego, using national average inputs. Run your own numbers for a personalized score.
Worth-It Score
Affordable
University of California-San Diego lands in the affordable band for a typical family. Graduates earn a median of $84,943 ten years after enrolling, and that makes the median debt of $15,500 more manageable than it looks at first glance. For context, University of California-San Diego's net price is about 1% above the typical 4-year, public school. On the numbers alone, this school clears the bar comfortably.
Is the price fair?
Compared to 774 similar 4-year, public schools
This school
$13,293
/yrAverage school like this
$13,155
/yrNet price is slightly above average
You'd pay about $139 more per year than the typical student at a similar school. Over 4 years that's roughly $1,000 in extra cost.
Score breakdown
The public version of the score weighs affordability, after graduation outcomes, and repayment burden.
Affordability
40% weight
The yearly net price sits in a range that leaves more room for family cash flow and lower borrowing.
Outcome
40% weight
Graduation and earnings data create a stronger long-run payoff picture.
Repayment
20% weight
Median debt stays in a more comfortable repayment range for a typical graduate.
The numbers behind the score
Median net price per year
$12,470
Median earnings 10 years out
$84,943
Median debt at graduation
$15,500
Graduation rate
87%
At University of California-San Diego, a typical graduate carries about $15,500 in student debt and earns roughly $84,943 ten years after enrolling. On a standard 10-year repayment plan, that works out to about $176 per month, or 2% of pre-tax income. That sits inside a borrower comfort range for many graduates.
What this means for your family
University of California-San Diego is a public four year school in La Jolla, CA. For many families, the key question is whether the published value here beats cheaper in state or regional alternatives once your real aid offer arrives.
Similar schools worth comparing
These schools share a similar sector, geography, or price range.
Public 4-year
University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
Worth-It Score: 91/100
Median net price: $12,548
Public 4-year
San Francisco State
San Francisco, CA
Worth-It Score: 69/100
Median net price: $12,278
Public 4-year
Sonoma State
Rohnert Park, CA
Worth-It Score: 72/100
Median net price: $12,885
Public 4-year
University of California-Merced
Merced, CA
Worth-It Score: 77/100
Median net price: $11,983
Public 4-year
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt
Arcata, CA
Worth-It Score: 61/100
Median net price: $13,171
Common questions about University of California-San Diego
The median net price at University of California-San Diego is $12,470 per year. That is the average yearly price after typical grant aid for students in the public federal data, not the published sticker price.
Get your personalized Worth-It score
National averages are a starting point. Plug in your actual aid offer, intended major, and family situation to get a score that reflects your specific picture.
Looking at public universities options in California? See the most affordable public universities in California →
The Worth-It Score weighs affordability (40%), after graduation outcomes (40%), and repayment burden (20%). Underlying data points come from publicly available federal higher education reporting. See full methodology →