University of California-Berkeley vs Berkeley City College: which has better ROI?
University of California-Berkeley has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $53,924 in 1.2 years versus not at all at Berkeley City College, on median earnings of $92,446 vs $41,217 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of California-Berkeley | Berkeley City College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,481 | $9,096 |
| Total net cost | $53,924 | $18,192 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $92,446 | $41,217 |
| Median debt | $13,000 | — |
| Payback | 1.2 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | $827,796 | -$161,052 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of California-Berkeley or Berkeley City College?
Berkeley City College, at $9,096 a year after aid versus $13,481 — a gap of $4,385 a year, or $35,732 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University of California-Berkeley or Berkeley City College graduates earn more?
University of California-Berkeley graduates report a median $92,446 ten years after entry, $51,229 more than the $41,217 at Berkeley City College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which graduates more of its students?
93% of students finish at University of California-Berkeley, against 36% at Berkeley City College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.