Head-to-Head Comparison
University of California-Berkeley vs University of California-Los Angeles
- California-Berkeley Wins
- 17
- Tied
- 7
- California-Los Angeles Wins
- 15
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of California-Los Angeles offers a significantly safer investment tier. While University of California-Berkeley achieves a higher graduation rate (93% vs 93%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $13,481 compared to University of California-Los Angeles's $12,548 for in-state paths. Students who choose University of California-Los Angeles benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $82,511 at ten years.
39 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
California-Berkeley
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $92,446 ten years after enrollment, 12% more than University of California-Los Angeles
- Less debt: Median debt of $13,000, the lower of the two
California-Los Angeles
- Lower cost: Average net price of $12,548, roughly $933 a year less
- More selective: Admits 9% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
California-Berkeley graduates concentrate in Computer Science & IT (19% 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 University of California-Berkeley over University of California-Los Angeles. Median earnings of $92,446 ten years after enrollment vs $82,511.
Pick University of California-Los Angeles over University of California-Berkeley. Net price $12,548 vs $13,481.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
University of California-Berkeley and University of California-Los Angeles are close on paper, but University of California-Berkeley 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
University of California-Los Angeles is the harder admit. It takes 9% of applicants, while University of California-Berkeley takes 11%.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, University of California-Los Angeles 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 $933 a year below University of California-Berkeley's $13,481. Graduates of University of California-Berkeley also borrow less: median debt of $13,000, against $14,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $3,732 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, University of California-Berkeley graduates report median earnings of $92,446, compared with $82,511 at University of California-Los Angeles. That is a 12% advantage. Set against borrowing, University of California-Berkeley has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.14x to 0.17x.
So what: An earnings gap of 12% 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.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick University of California-Los Angeles to keep costs and debt down; pick University of California-Berkeley 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 $933 a year, yet University of California-Berkeley graduates earn $9,935 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. University of California-Berkeley concentrates enrollment in Computer Science & IT, Engineering, while University of California-Los Angeles leans toward Biology & Biomedical, Psychology. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
No strong negative signals — California-Berkeley competes well across the dimensions measured.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of University of California-Los Angeles's enrollment, and University of California-Berkeley is stronger here.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
California-Los Angeles holds onto its admits more tightly: 48% of admitted students enroll, versus 46% at California-Berkeley — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 1 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 2 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
University of California-Berkeley
Berkeley, CA · Public
The University of California-Berkeley has a remarkable graduation rate of 93%. This high rate indicates strong student support and a commitment to student success. With an acceptance rate of just 11%, selectivity is high, making it a competitive choice for prospective students.
According to Chetty/Opportunity Insights data, UC Berkeley is a strong performer in economic mobility. While specific mobility rates are not provided, the school is known for propelling graduates into high-earning careers. The median earnings for graduates after ten years is an impressive $92,446, suggesting substantial return on investment for students.
The net price of attendance is around $13,481, and the median debt for graduates is $13,000. This manageable debt level, combined with high earning potential, makes UC Berkeley an attractive option for students. Those who thrive here typically have strong academic backgrounds, are motivated, and are seeking opportunities in fields like Computer Science, Engineering, and Social Sciences.
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
University of California-Berkeley and University of California-Los Angeles appear together in 8 rankings. On the Best Computer Science Colleges in California, University of California-Berkeley ranks #6 — University of California-Berkeley outranks University of California-Los Angeles by 15 positions.
Top Degree Programs
California-Berkeley's top program is Computer Science (19% of enrollment), while California-Los Angeles leads with Sociology (25%).
California-Berkeley
California-Los Angeles
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for California-Berkeley) and Mechanical Engineer, Civil Engineer, Electrical Engineer (for California-Los Angeles).
The two schools feed different job markets. University of California-Berkeley is strongest in Computer Science & IT, while University of California-Los Angeles concentrates in 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.
California-Berkeley
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into University of California-Berkeley or University of California-Los Angeles?
University of California-Los Angeles is harder to get into, admitting 9% of applicants compared with 11% at University of California-Berkeley.
Which is more affordable, University of California-Berkeley 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 $13,481 at University of California-Berkeley.
Do University of California-Berkeley or University of California-Los Angeles graduates earn more?
University of California-Berkeley graduates earn more: median earnings of $92,446 ten years after enrollment, versus $82,511 at University of California-Los Angeles.
Which has a better graduation rate, University of California-Berkeley or University of California-Los Angeles?
University of California-Berkeley has the higher graduation rate, 93% versus 93%.
Should you choose University of California-Berkeley 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 University of California-Berkeley 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.
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How do California-Berkeley 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.
