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University of California-Berkeley vs Moorpark College: which has better ROI?

Public, Berkeley CA · vs · Public, Moorpark CA

The verdict

Moorpark College has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of -$4,592 in -6.7 years versus 1.2 years at University of California-Berkeley, on median earnings of $49,044 vs $92,446 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of California-BerkeleyMoorpark College
Net price / yr$13,481-$2,296
Total net cost$53,924-$4,592
Median earnings, 10 yrs$92,446$49,044
Median debt$13,000$9,500
Payback1.2 yrs-6.7 yrs
20-year net return$827,796$18,272

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, University of California-Berkeley or Moorpark College?

Moorpark College, at -$2,296 a year after aid versus $13,481 — a gap of $15,777 a year, or $58,516 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 Moorpark College graduates earn more?

University of California-Berkeley graduates report a median $92,446 ten years after entry, $43,402 more than the $49,044 at Moorpark 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 leaves students with less debt, University of California-Berkeley or Moorpark College?

Moorpark College: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $13,000 at University of California-Berkeley, a difference of $3,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

93% of students finish at University of California-Berkeley, against 44% at Moorpark 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.

University of California-Berkeley vs Moorpark College: frequently asked questions

Is University of California-Berkeley or Moorpark College a better value?
Moorpark College. It clears its -$4,592 net cost in about -6.7 years versus 1.2 years at University of California-Berkeley, on median earnings of $49,044 vs $92,446 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of California-Berkeley or Moorpark College?
Moorpark College: -$2,296/yr net price after aid versus $13,481/yr at University of California-Berkeley — a difference of $15,777 a year, or about $58,516 over four years.
Do University of California-Berkeley or Moorpark College graduates earn more?
University of California-Berkeley graduates earn a median $92,446 ten years after entry, versus $49,044 at Moorpark College — a $43,402 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.