University of California-Berkeley vs California State University-Los Angeles: 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 1.5 years at California State University-Los Angeles, on median earnings of $92,446 vs $59,211 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of California-Berkeley | California State University-Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,481 | $3,967 |
| Total net cost | $53,924 | $15,868 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $92,446 | $59,211 |
| Median debt | $13,000 | $13,000 |
| Payback | 1.2 yrs | 1.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $827,796 | $201,152 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of California-Berkeley or California State University-Los Angeles?
California State University-Los Angeles, at $3,967 a year after aid versus $13,481 — a gap of $9,514 a year, or $38,056 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 California State University-Los Angeles graduates earn more?
University of California-Berkeley graduates report a median $92,446 ten years after entry, $33,235 more than the $59,211 at California State University-Los Angeles. 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 leaves students with less debt, University of California-Berkeley or California State University-Los Angeles?
Completers at both borrow a median $13,000, so neither school has the debt advantage. That figure covers federal loans of students who finished — borrowers who leave early are not counted, and private loans sit outside it.
Which graduates more of its students?
93% of students finish at University of California-Berkeley, against 53% at California State University-Los Angeles. 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.