Head-to-Head Comparison
University of California-San Diego vs Yale University
- California-San Diego Wins
- 19
- Tied
- 18
- Yale Wins
- 15
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of California-San Diego offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Yale University achieves a higher graduation rate (96% vs 87%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $23,777 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 $11,307 a year less
Yale
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $100,533 ten years after enrollment, 18% more than University of California-San Diego
- Higher grad rate: 96% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $12,975, 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); Yale in Social Sciences (23%). 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 Yale University over University of California-San Diego. Median earnings of $100,533 ten years after enrollment vs $84,943.
Pick University of California-San Diego over Yale University. Net price $12,470 vs $23,777.
Pick Yale University over University of California-San Diego. 96% 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 Yale University are close on paper, but Yale University 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
Yale University 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, Yale University 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 $11,307 a year below Yale University's $23,777. Graduates of Yale University also borrow less: median debt of $12,975, against $15,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $45,228 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, Yale University graduates report median earnings of $100,533, compared with $84,943 at University of California-San Diego. That is a 18% advantage. Set against borrowing, Yale University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.13x to 0.18x.
So what: An earnings gap of 18% 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
Yale University graduates a larger share of its students, 96% 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 Yale University 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 $11,307 a year, yet Yale University graduates earn $15,590 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 Engineering, while Yale University leans toward Computer Science & IT. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $15,500, against $12,975 at Yale University.
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of California-San Diego's enrollment of 34,948 far exceeds Yale University's 6,758.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $23,777 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
Yale holds onto its admits more tightly: 68% of admitted students enroll, versus 20% at California-San Diego — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices.
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.
Yale University
New Haven, CT · Private nonprofit
Yale University boasts an impressive graduation rate of 96%, indicating that most students who enroll successfully complete their degrees. This high level of achievement reflects the supportive academic environment and resources available to students.
According to Opportunity Insights data, Yale's graduates have a median earnings of $100,533 ten years after enrollment. While specific mobility rates are not available, the strong earnings potential suggests that graduates are likely to experience upward economic mobility, particularly when compared to peers from lower-income backgrounds.
The net price for attending Yale is $23,777, with a median debt of $12,975. This financial landscape allows students to invest in their education while keeping debt manageable. Students who thrive here tend to be those who are motivated and eager to engage deeply in their studies, particularly in top fields such as social sciences, biology, and engineering.
Rankings They Appear On
Yale University is featured on the Best Colleges in Connecticut ranking.
Top Degree Programs
California-San Diego's top program is Biology (19% of enrollment), while Yale leads with Sociology (23%).
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 Yale).
The two schools feed different job markets. University of California-San Diego is strongest in Engineering, Psychology, while Yale University concentrates in Computer Science & IT, Mathematics & Statistics. 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 Yale University?
Yale University 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 Yale University?
University of California-San Diego is more affordable, with an average net price of $12,470 after aid versus $23,777 at Yale University.
Do University of California-San Diego or Yale University graduates earn more?
Yale University graduates earn more: median earnings of $100,533 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 Yale University?
Yale University has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 87%.
Should you choose University of California-San Diego or Yale University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose University of California-San Diego if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Yale University 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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How do California-San Diego and Yale stack up against regional and national alternatives when evaluated on pure socioeconomic mobility, graduate earnings, and long-term return on investment? Explore the full, verified dataset on our comprehensive rankings directory.
