University of California-Berkeley vs Canada College: which has better ROI?
Canada College has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $64 in 0 years versus 1.2 years at University of California-Berkeley, on median earnings of $50,087 vs $92,446 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of California-Berkeley | Canada College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,481 | $32 |
| Total net cost | $53,924 | $64 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $92,446 | $50,087 |
| Median debt | $13,000 | — |
| Payback | 1.2 yrs | 0 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $827,796 | $34,476 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of California-Berkeley or Canada College?
Canada College, at $32 a year after aid versus $13,481 — a gap of $13,449 a year, or $53,860 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 Canada College graduates earn more?
University of California-Berkeley graduates report a median $92,446 ten years after entry, $42,359 more than the $50,087 at Canada 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 47% at Canada 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.