Head-to-Head Comparison
University of California-San Diego vs University of Chicago
- California-San Diego Wins
- 13
- Tied
- 19
- Chicago Wins
- 20
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of California-San Diego offers a significantly safer investment tier. While University of Chicago achieves a higher graduation rate (95% vs 87%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $14,860 compared to University of California-San Diego's $12,470. Students who choose University of California-San Diego benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $84,943 at ten years.
52 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
California-San Diego
- Lower cost: Average net price of $12,470, roughly $2,390 a year less
Chicago
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $91,885 ten years after enrollment, 8% more than University of California-San Diego
- Higher grad rate: 95% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $15,000, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 4% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
California-San Diego graduates concentrate in Biology & Biomedical (19% of degrees); Chicago in Social Sciences (40%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick University of Chicago over University of California-San Diego. Median earnings of $91,885 ten years after enrollment vs $84,943.
Pick University of California-San Diego over University of Chicago. Net price $12,470 vs $14,860.
Pick University of Chicago over University of California-San Diego. 95% completion rate vs 87%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
University of California-San Diego and University of Chicago are close on paper, but University of Chicago wins the head-to-head, leading on 4 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
University of Chicago is the harder admit. It takes 4% of applicants, while University of California-San Diego takes 27%.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, University of Chicago sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, University of California-San Diego comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $12,470, about $2,390 a year below University of Chicago's $14,860. Graduates of University of Chicago also borrow less: median debt of $15,000, against $15,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $9,560 before any change in aid. Choosing University of California-San Diego leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, University of Chicago graduates report median earnings of $91,885, compared with $84,943 at University of California-San Diego. That is a 8% advantage. Set against borrowing, University of Chicago has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.16x to 0.18x.
So what: An earnings gap of 8% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Finishing the degree
University of Chicago graduates a larger share of its students, 95% versus 87%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 9% is a risk measure. Students at the school with the lower rate face higher odds of leaving with debt and no degree, the most expensive outcome in higher education.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick University of California-San Diego to keep costs and debt down; pick University of Chicago for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 5 of 6 core signals used here; where one school is missing a figure, that row is left out of the comparison rather than estimated.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. University of California-San Diego saves about $2,390 a year, yet University of Chicago graduates earn $6,942 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Their academic identities diverge. University of California-San Diego concentrates enrollment in Biology & Biomedical, Engineering, while University of Chicago leans toward Mathematics & Statistics, Computer Science & IT. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of California-San Diego's enrollment of 34,948 far exceeds University of Chicago's 7,569.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $14,860 runs well above University of California-San Diego's $12,470.
- Engineering-focused students: University of California-San Diego has the stronger engineering programs.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Chicago holds onto its admits more tightly: 88% of admitted students enroll, versus 20% at California-San Diego — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Chicago offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; California-San Diego does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 4 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Research (Times HE) 4 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
University of California-San Diego
La Jolla, CA · Public
The University of California-San Diego has an impressive graduation rate of 87%. This high percentage reflects the school's commitment to student success and academic support. It stands out in California's competitive higher education landscape, making it an attractive option for many students.
According to the Chetty/Opportunity Insights data, UC San Diego graduates have a 10-year earning potential of $84,943. This earning figure positions the university as a strong pathway for upward mobility, especially for students from lower-income backgrounds. The data indicates that a significant portion of graduates experience substantial economic advancement post-graduation.
Practical considerations are also favorable. The net price for attending UC San Diego is $12,470, making it a relatively affordable option compared to other institutions. Graduates leave with a median debt of $15,500, which is manageable given their earning potential. Students who thrive here often pursue degrees in Biology, Engineering, Social Sciences, Psychology, and Computer Science, fields that are in high demand in today's job market.
University of Chicago
Chicago, IL · Private nonprofit
The University of Chicago has an acceptance rate of just 4%, making it one of the most selective institutions in the country. This means students face stiff competition to gain admission, but those who do become part of a community committed to academic excellence. With a graduation rate of 95%, students are likely to earn their degrees and move on to successful careers.
Graduates from the University of Chicago report impressive earnings. After ten years, their median income reaches $91,885. This level of financial success reflects the school’s strong academic programs, particularly in social sciences, biology, and computer science. While the Pell Grant rate is 15%, indicating that a portion of students come from low-income backgrounds, the institution does not provide specific data on economic mobility.
The cost of attendance is $14,860, and the median debt for graduates stands at $15,000. This relatively low debt compared to earnings suggests that students can manage their finances effectively after graduation. The University of Chicago is ideal for high-achieving students who thrive in a rigorous academic environment and are motivated to leverage their education for financial success.
Rankings They Appear On
University of Chicago is featured on the Highest-Yield Colleges (Most-Loved) ranking.
Top Degree Programs
California-San Diego's top program is Biology (19% of enrollment), while Chicago leads with Sociology (40%).
California-San Diego
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for California-San Diego) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Chicago).
The two schools feed different job markets. University of California-San Diego is strongest in Engineering, Psychology, while University of Chicago concentrates in Mathematics & Statistics, Computer Science & IT. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into University of California-San Diego or University of Chicago?
University of Chicago is harder to get into, admitting 4% of applicants compared with 27% at University of California-San Diego.
Which is more affordable, University of California-San Diego or University of Chicago?
University of California-San Diego is more affordable, with an average net price of $12,470 after aid versus $14,860 at University of Chicago.
Do University of California-San Diego or University of Chicago graduates earn more?
University of Chicago graduates earn more: median earnings of $91,885 ten years after enrollment, versus $84,943 at University of California-San Diego.
Which has a better graduation rate, University of California-San Diego or University of Chicago?
University of Chicago has the higher graduation rate, 95% versus 87%.
Should you choose University of California-San Diego or University of Chicago?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose University of California-San Diego if affordability and lower debt come first; choose University of Chicago if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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