Head-to-head · 2026
University of California-Berkeley vs University of California-Los Angeles
Compare average net price ($13,481 at University of California-Berkeley; $12,548 at University of California-Los Angeles), ROI score (17.14 vs 16.44), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($92,446 vs $82,511), and admissions selectivity (11% acceptance at University of California-Berkeley; 9% at University of California-Los Angeles) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | University of California-Berkeley | University of California-Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 17.14 ✓ | 16.44 |
| Avg net price | $13,481 | $12,548 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $53,924 | $50,192 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $16,347 | $15,203 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $50,547 | $49,403 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $92,446 ✓ | $82,511 |
| Acceptance rate | 11% | 9% |
| Graduation rate | 92.8% ✓ | 92.6% |
| Retention rate | 96.8% | 97.3% ✓ |
| Median debt | $13,000 ✓ | $14,000 |
| Enrollment | 33,068 | 33,475 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | University of California-Berkeley | University of California-Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $5,311 ✓ | $5,579 |
| Family income $30–48k | $6,501 ✓ | $6,682 |
| Family income $48–75k | $9,693 ✓ | $9,811 |
| Family income $75–110k | $15,074 | $14,142 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $34,529 | $29,682 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | University of California-Berkeley | University of California-Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Economics | 5.5% | 7.1% |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 4.4% | 5.9% |
| Computer Science | 5.9% | 3.4% |
| Political Science and Government | 3.2% | 4.8% |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | 5.5% | 2.3% |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | 5.3% | 1.6% |
| Sociology | 2% | 4.8% |
| Mechanical Engineering | 3.3% | 1.8% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
University of California-Los Angeles reports the lower average net price by $933 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $3,732 difference over four years ($50,192 vs $53,924).
University of California-Berkeley reports $9,935 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($92,446 vs $82,511). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 96.8% at University of California-Berkeley and 97.3% at University of California-Los Angeles. Median federal debt among completers is $13,000 vs $14,000, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
University of California-Berkeley vs University of California-Los Angeles, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
University of California-Los Angeles is cheaper — average net price $12,548 per year vs $13,481 at University of California-Berkeley. The annual difference of $933 adds up to about $3,732 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of California-Berkeley reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $92,446 vs $82,511 at University of California-Los Angeles. The gap in the federal data is $9,935. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
University of California-Los Angeles is more selective at 9% acceptance vs 11% at University of California-Berkeley.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.