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University of California-Los Angeles vs University of California-Berkeley: which has better ROI?

Public, Los Angeles CA · vs · Public, Berkeley CA

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

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 University of California-Los Angeles, on median earnings of $92,446 vs $82,511 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of California-Los AngelesUniversity of California-Berkeley
Net price / yr$12,548$13,481
Total net cost$50,192$53,924
Median earnings, 10 yrs$82,511$92,446
Median debt$14,000$13,000
Payback1.5 yrs1.2 yrs
20-year net return$632,828$827,796

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

Which is cheaper, University of California-Los Angeles or University of California-Berkeley?

University of California-Los Angeles, at $12,548 a year after aid versus $13,481 — a gap of $933 a year, or $3,732 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-Los Angeles or University of California-Berkeley graduates earn more?

University of California-Berkeley graduates report a median $92,446 ten years after entry, $9,935 more than the $82,511 at University of California-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-Los Angeles or University of California-Berkeley?

University of California-Berkeley: its completers carry a median $13,000 in federal loans versus $14,000 at University of California-Los Angeles, a difference of $1,000. 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 93% at University of California-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.

University of California-Los Angeles vs University of California-Berkeley: frequently asked questions

Is University of California-Los Angeles or University of California-Berkeley a better value?
University of California-Berkeley. It clears its $53,924 net cost in about 1.2 years versus 1.5 years at University of California-Los Angeles, on median earnings of $92,446 vs $82,511 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of California-Los Angeles or University of California-Berkeley?
University of California-Los Angeles: $12,548/yr net price after aid versus $13,481/yr at University of California-Berkeley — a difference of $933 a year, or about $3,732 over four years.
Do University of California-Los Angeles or University of California-Berkeley graduates earn more?
University of California-Berkeley graduates earn a median $92,446 ten years after entry, versus $82,511 at University of California-Los Angeles — a $9,935 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.