Head-to-Head Comparison
Massachusetts Institute of Technology vs University of California-Los Angeles
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA
University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
- Massachusetts Technology Wins
- 19
- Tied
- 19
- California-Los Angeles Wins
- 13
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of California-Los Angeles offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Massachusetts Institute of Technology achieves a higher graduation rate (96% vs 93%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $20,111 compared to University of California-Los Angeles's $12,548 for in-state paths. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, University of California-Los Angeles's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
51 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Massachusetts Technology
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $143,372 ten years after enrollment, 74% more than University of California-Los Angeles
- Higher grad rate: 96% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- More selective: Admits 5% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
California-Los Angeles
- Lower cost: Average net price of $12,548, roughly $7,563 a year less
- Less debt: Median debt of $14,000, the lower of the two
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Massachusetts Technology graduates concentrate in Computer Science & IT (35% of degrees); California-Los Angeles in Social Sciences (25%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick Massachusetts Institute of Technology over University of California-Los Angeles. Median earnings of $143,372 ten years after enrollment vs $82,511.
Pick University of California-Los Angeles over Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Net price $12,548 vs $20,111.
Pick Massachusetts Institute of Technology over University of California-Los Angeles. 96% completion rate vs 93%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Massachusetts Institute of Technology and University of California-Los Angeles are close on paper, but Massachusetts Institute of Technology wins the head-to-head, leading on 3 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is the harder admit. It takes 5% of applicants, while University of California-Los Angeles takes 9%.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Massachusetts Institute of Technology sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, University of California-Los Angeles comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $12,548, about $7,563 a year below Massachusetts Institute of Technology's $20,111. Graduates of University of California-Los Angeles also borrow less: median debt of $14,000, against $14,768.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $30,252 before any change in aid. Choosing University of California-Los Angeles leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates report median earnings of $143,372, compared with $82,511 at University of California-Los Angeles. That is a 74% advantage. Set against borrowing, Massachusetts Institute of Technology has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.1x to 0.17x.
So what: An earnings gap of 74% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Finishing the degree
Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates a larger share of its students, 96% versus 93%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 4% is a risk measure. Students at the school with the lower rate face higher odds of leaving with debt and no degree, the most expensive outcome in higher education.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick University of California-Los Angeles to keep costs and debt down; pick Massachusetts Institute of Technology for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 5 of 6 core signals used here; where one school is missing a figure, that row is left out of the comparison rather than estimated.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. University of California-Los Angeles saves about $7,563 a year, yet Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn $60,861 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Their academic identities diverge. Massachusetts Institute of Technology concentrates enrollment in Computer Science & IT, Engineering, Mathematics & Statistics, while University of California-Los Angeles leans toward Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical, Psychology. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $20,111 runs well above University of California-Los Angeles's $12,548.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of University of California-Los Angeles's enrollment, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology is stronger here.
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of California-Los Angeles's enrollment of 33,475 far exceeds Massachusetts Institute of Technology's 4,535.
Full Data Breakdown
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 3 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 4 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Research (Times HE) 4 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 5%, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology attracts a highly motivated and academically driven student body. This is a place for those who excel in challenging fields, particularly in engineering, computer science, mathematics, physical sciences, and biology. Students here are often hands-on learners, engaging in rigorous projects and research that push the boundaries of what’s possible.
Once students graduate, they typically see significant financial returns on their investment. With an average salary of $143,372 after ten years, graduates are well-positioned in the job market. This level of earning power speaks volumes about the value of the education they receive here. The affordability of attending is also noteworthy; with a net price of $20,111 after aid, many students leave with a manageable median debt of $14,768, making the financial landscape more navigable.
The practical aspects of attending MIT align well with the ambitions of its students. Those who thrive here are often those who embrace intense academic rigor and collaborative environments. With a graduation rate of 96%, it’s clear that the supportive community helps students succeed. The combination of a strong educational foundation and a network of driven peers prepares graduates for a range of career paths and success in their chosen fields.
University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA · Public
Only 9% of applicants gain admission to the University of California-Los Angeles, making it one of the most selective public universities in the country. With an enrollment of nearly 33,500 students, UCLA combines a competitive environment with a high graduation rate of 93%. This commitment to student success reflects the university's dedication to academic excellence.
Graduates from UCLA see strong financial outcomes, with a median earnings of $82,511 a decade after graduation. While specific mobility metrics are not available, the university's programs in fields like Social Sciences, Biology, and Engineering contribute to its reputation for fostering upward economic mobility among its graduates. The 28% of students receiving Pell Grants highlights its support for low-income students, balancing accessibility with high achievement.
Attending UCLA comes with a net price of $12,548 and a median debt of $14,000, making it a financially viable option for many students. Those who thrive here are often driven, academically inclined, and eager to engage in a vibrant campus culture. With a strong focus on research and a diverse student body, UCLA is well-suited for those looking to make an impact in their chosen fields.
Rankings They Appear On
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is featured on the Colleges With the Highest-Earning Graduates ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Massachusetts Technology's top program is Computer Science (35% of enrollment), while California-Los Angeles leads with Sociology (25%).
Massachusetts Technology
California-Los Angeles
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Massachusetts Technology) and Mechanical Engineer, Civil Engineer, Electrical Engineer (for California-Los Angeles).
The two schools feed different job markets. Massachusetts Institute of Technology is strongest in Computer Science & IT, Mathematics & Statistics, Physical Sciences, while University of California-Los Angeles concentrates in Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical, Psychology. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Massachusetts Technology
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Massachusetts Institute of Technology or University of California-Los Angeles?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is harder to get into, admitting 5% of applicants compared with 9% at University of California-Los Angeles.
Which is more affordable, Massachusetts Institute of Technology or University of California-Los Angeles?
University of California-Los Angeles is more affordable, with an average net price of $12,548 after aid versus $20,111 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Do Massachusetts Institute of Technology or University of California-Los Angeles graduates earn more?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn more: median earnings of $143,372 ten years after enrollment, versus $82,511 at University of California-Los Angeles.
Which has a better graduation rate, Massachusetts Institute of Technology or University of California-Los Angeles?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 93%.
Should you choose Massachusetts Institute of Technology or University of California-Los Angeles?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose University of California-Los Angeles if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Massachusetts Institute of Technology if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
More Comparisons
View all →Weigh Your Options
Best Colleges in America
How do Massachusetts Technology and California-Los Angeles stack up against regional and national alternatives when evaluated on pure socioeconomic mobility, graduate earnings, and long-term return on investment? Explore the full, verified dataset on our comprehensive rankings directory.
