Best Bachelor's Degree Programs at University of California-San Diego by ROI
Every Bachelor's Degree major at University of California-San Diego ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs Analyzed
40
Majors with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
+$59,301
Across all programs
Average Annual Cost
$36,325
Cost of attendance
| # | Major | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Computer Science.
Grad rate: 87.7% |
+$1,097,257 | $105,245 | $36,325 | $16,550 | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
Computer Engineering.
Grad rate: 87.7% |
+$982,329 | $99,630 | $36,325 | $18,497 | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology.
Grad rate: 87.7% |
+$949,552 | $98,074 | $36,325 | $19,724 | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering.
Grad rate: 87.7% |
+$675,458 | $84,411 | $36,325 | $20,342 | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
Biomedical/Medical Engineering.
Grad rate: 87.7% |
+$632,960 | $82,263 | $36,325 | $20,000 | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering.
Grad rate: 87.7% |
+$568,958 | $79,151 | $36,325 | $21,305 | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
Mechanical Engineering.
Grad rate: 87.7% |
+$536,740 | $77,452 | $36,325 | $20,000 | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
Civil Engineering.
Grad rate: 87.7% |
+$403,040 | $70,524 | $36,325 | $16,400 | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
Chemical Engineering.
Grad rate: 87.7% |
+$356,688 | $68,325 | $36,325 | $18,157 | Full ROI → |
| 10 |
Engineering, Other.
Grad rate: 87.7% |
+$315,452 | $66,337 | $36,325 | $19,250 | Full ROI → |
| 11 |
Physics.
Grad rate: 87.7% |
+$215,240 | $61,161 | $36,325 | $16,800 | Full ROI → |
| 12 |
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods.
Grad rate: 87.7% |
+$190,035 | $59,948 | $36,325 | $17,500 | Full ROI → |
| 13 |
Applied Mathematics.
Grad rate: 87.7% |
+$139,573 | $57,291 | $36,325 | $15,516 | Full ROI → |
| 14 |
Cognitive Science.
Grad rate: 87.7% |
+$90,800 | $54,985 | $36,325 | $17,481 | Full ROI → |
| 15 |
Economics.
Grad rate: 87.7% |
+$88,790 | $54,717 | $36,325 | $15,000 | Full ROI → |
| 16 |
Urban Studies/Affairs.
Grad rate: 87.7% |
+$65,615 | $53,727 | $36,325 | $17,500 | Full ROI → |
| 17 |
Mathematics.
Grad rate: 87.7% |
+$45,382 | $52,631 | $36,325 | $16,250 | Full ROI → |
| 18 |
International/Global Studies.
Grad rate: 87.7% |
+$22,845 | $51,521 | $36,325 | $16,500 | Full ROI → |
| 19 |
Natural Resources Conservation and Research.
Grad rate: 87.7% |
+$10,940 | $51,027 | $36,325 | $18,000 | Full ROI → |
| 20 |
Chemistry.
Grad rate: 87.7% |
-$46,315 | $48,036 | $36,325 | $16,100 | Full ROI → |
| 21 |
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies.
Grad rate: 87.7% |
-$60,958 | $47,820 | $36,325 | $23,747 | Full ROI → |
| 22 |
Communication and Media Studies.
Grad rate: 87.7% |
-$89,866 | $45,755 | $36,325 | $14,568 | Full ROI → |
| 23 |
Political Science and Government.
Grad rate: 87.7% |
-$110,020 | $44,846 | $36,325 | $16,030 | Full ROI → |
| 24 |
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology.
Grad rate: 87.7% |
-$129,665 | $43,963 | $36,325 | $17,500 | Full ROI → |
| 25 |
Public Health.
Grad rate: 87.7% |
-$159,228 | $42,335 | $36,325 | $15,280 | Full ROI → |
| 26 |
English Language and Literature/Letters, Other.
Grad rate: 87.7% |
-$181,629 | $41,485 | $36,325 | $19,281 | Full ROI → |
| 27 |
Neurobiology and Neurosciences.
Grad rate: 87.7% |
-$183,610 | $41,367 | $36,325 | $19,000 | Full ROI → |
| 28 |
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services.
Grad rate: 87.7% |
-$185,531 | $41,294 | $36,325 | $19,342 | Full ROI → |
| 29 |
Sociology.
Grad rate: 87.7% |
-$201,877 | $40,144 | $36,325 | $14,413 | Full ROI → |
| 30 |
Psychology, General.
Grad rate: 87.7% |
-$231,067 | $38,800 | $36,325 | $16,124 | Full ROI → |
| 31 |
Biology, General.
Grad rate: 87.7% |
-$241,410 | $38,387 | $36,325 | $17,667 | Full ROI → |
| 32 |
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology.
Grad rate: 87.7% |
-$250,950 | $37,730 | $36,325 | $15,000 | Full ROI → |
| 33 |
History.
Grad rate: 87.7% |
-$255,980 | $37,645 | $36,325 | $17,467 | Full ROI → |
| 34 |
Music.
Grad rate: 87.7% |
-$304,926 | $35,297 | $36,325 | $18,938 | Full ROI → |
| 35 |
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology.
Grad rate: 87.7% |
-$337,825 | $33,645 | $36,325 | $18,834 | Full ROI → |
| 36 |
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.
Grad rate: 87.7% |
-$357,617 | $32,373 | $36,325 | $14,650 | Full ROI → |
| 37 |
Visual and Performing Arts, General.
Grad rate: 87.7% |
-$379,110 | $31,322 | $36,325 | $15,000 | Full ROI → |
| 38 |
Fine and Studio Arts.
Grad rate: 87.7% |
-$404,604 | $30,062 | $36,325 | $15,218 | Full ROI → |
| 39 |
Anthropology.
Grad rate: 87.7% |
-$440,883 | $28,163 | $36,325 | $13,958 | Full ROI → |
| 40 |
Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services.
Grad rate: 87.7% |
-$462,517 | $27,084 | $36,325 | $13,998 | Full ROI → |
How ROI is calculated
20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost − Debt Payoff (×1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20). Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.