Head-to-Head Comparison
University of California-Los Angeles vs Vanderbilt University
- California-Los Angeles Wins
- 14
- Tied
- 23
- Vanderbilt Wins
- 17
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of California-Los Angeles offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Vanderbilt University achieves a higher graduation rate (93% vs 93%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $15,846 compared to University of California-Los Angeles's $12,548. 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.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
California-Los Angeles
- Lower cost: Average net price of $12,548, roughly $3,298 a year less
Vanderbilt
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $91,565 ten years after enrollment, 11% more than University of California-Los Angeles
- More selective: Admits 6% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
California-Los Angeles graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (25% of degrees); Vanderbilt in Social Sciences (31%). 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 Vanderbilt University over University of California-Los Angeles. Median earnings of $91,565 ten years after enrollment vs $82,511.
Pick University of California-Los Angeles over Vanderbilt University. Net price $12,548 vs $15,846.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
University of California-Los Angeles and Vanderbilt University are close on paper, but Vanderbilt University 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
Vanderbilt University is the harder admit. It takes 6% of applicants, while University of California-Los Angeles takes 9%.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Vanderbilt University 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 $3,298 a year below Vanderbilt University's $15,846.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $13,192 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, Vanderbilt University graduates report median earnings of $91,565, compared with $82,511 at University of California-Los Angeles. That is a 11% advantage. Set against borrowing, Vanderbilt University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.15x to 0.17x.
So what: An earnings gap of 11% 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 Vanderbilt University 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 $3,298 a year, yet Vanderbilt University graduates earn $9,054 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-Los Angeles concentrates enrollment in Biology & Biomedical, Psychology, while Vanderbilt University leans toward Engineering, Computer Science & IT. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Engineering-focused students: Vanderbilt University has the stronger engineering programs.
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of California-Los Angeles's enrollment of 33,475 far exceeds Vanderbilt University's 7,208.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $15,846 runs well above University of California-Los Angeles's $12,548.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Vanderbilt holds onto its admits more tightly: 78% of admitted students enroll, versus 48% at California-Los Angeles — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Vanderbilt offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; California-Los Angeles does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 6 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
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.
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 6%, Vanderbilt University attracts motivated students who are ready to dive into rigorous programs. Located in Nashville, this school is particularly appealing to those interested in Social Sciences, Engineering, Computer Science, Biology, and Psychology. The small enrollment of about 7,200 means students often benefit from smaller class sizes, fostering a close-knit academic community where collaboration thrives.
Looking ahead to life after graduation, Vanderbilt graduates can expect to earn a median salary of $91,565 within ten years. This impressive figure reflects the university's strong emphasis on career readiness and networking opportunities. While the data on mobility isn't available, the high graduation rate of 93% speaks to the support students receive, which can help them move into successful careers.
When it comes to the financial aspect, students can expect a net price of around $15,846 after aid, which is quite manageable given the potential earnings. With a median debt of $14,000, graduates usually leave with a reasonable financial burden. Students who thrive here are often those who are driven, engaged, and ready to leverage the university's resources to achieve their goals.
Rankings They Appear On
Vanderbilt University is featured on the Best Colleges in Tennessee ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Sociology as their top enrolled program field, comprising 25% of California-Los Angeles's student body and 31% of Vanderbilt's.
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Mechanical Engineer, Civil Engineer, Electrical Engineer (for California-Los Angeles) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Vanderbilt).
The two schools feed different job markets. University of California-Los Angeles is strongest in Psychology, while Vanderbilt University concentrates in Computer Science & IT. 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-Los Angeles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into University of California-Los Angeles or Vanderbilt University?
Vanderbilt University is harder to get into, admitting 6% of applicants compared with 9% at University of California-Los Angeles.
Which is more affordable, University of California-Los Angeles or Vanderbilt University?
University of California-Los Angeles is more affordable, with an average net price of $12,548 after aid versus $15,846 at Vanderbilt University.
Do University of California-Los Angeles or Vanderbilt University graduates earn more?
Vanderbilt University graduates earn more: median earnings of $91,565 ten years after enrollment, versus $82,511 at University of California-Los Angeles.
Which has a better graduation rate, University of California-Los Angeles or Vanderbilt University?
Vanderbilt University has the higher graduation rate, 93% versus 93%.
Should you choose University of California-Los Angeles or Vanderbilt University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose University of California-Los Angeles if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Vanderbilt University 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-Los Angeles and Vanderbilt 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.
