University of California-Los Angeles vs California State University-East Bay: which has better ROI?
University of California-Los Angeles has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $50,192 in 1.5 years versus 1.6 years at California State University-East Bay, on median earnings of $82,511 vs $71,401 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of California-Los Angeles | California State University-East Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,548 | $9,320 |
| Total net cost | $50,192 | $37,280 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $82,511 | $71,401 |
| Median debt | $14,000 | $16,544 |
| Payback | 1.5 yrs | 1.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $632,828 | $423,540 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of California-Los Angeles or California State University-East Bay?
California State University-East Bay, at $9,320 a year after aid versus $12,548 — a gap of $3,228 a year, or $12,912 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-Los Angeles or California State University-East Bay graduates earn more?
University of California-Los Angeles graduates report a median $82,511 ten years after entry, $11,110 more than the $71,401 at California State University-East Bay. 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-Los Angeles or California State University-East Bay?
University of California-Los Angeles: its completers carry a median $14,000 in federal loans versus $16,544 at California State University-East Bay, a difference of $2,544. 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-Los Angeles, against 48% at California State University-East Bay. 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.