University of California-Los Angeles — ROI, Cost & Payback
University of California-Los Angeles charges a net price of $12,548/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $50,192. Graduates earn a median $82,511 ten years after entry, $34,151/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 1.5 years — a 20-year net return of $632,828, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
University of California-Los Angeles's 1.5-year payback ranks #35 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 97% of them, and #10 of 334 in California.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $12,548/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $50,192 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $82,511 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $34,151/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $14,000 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 1.5 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $632,828 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on University of California-Los Angeles's own numbers. Net price $12,548 × 4 years = $50,192 total. Median earnings $82,511 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $34,151 a year of premium. $50,192 ÷ $34,151 = 1.5 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $632,828. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do University of California-Los Angeles students graduate with?
A median $14,000 in federal loans among completers, or 17% of the $82,511 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of University of California-Los Angeles students graduate?
93% finish their degree. Spread the $50,192 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $53,970 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is University of California-Los Angeles expensive compared with other California colleges?
Its $12,548 net price runs $7,357 below the $19,905 median across the 334 California colleges we profile, and $29,428 less across the full degree.