At $14,979/yr net price, University of California-Berkeley graduates earn $92,446/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $58,446/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $14,979 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $59,916 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $92,446/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$58,446/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 92.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $13,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $5,895/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $7,751/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $11,424/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $18,713/yr |
| $110,001+ | $35,154/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $171,936 | |
| Law. | Doctoral | $142,470 | $155,891 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $128,868 | $13,674 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $125,388 | $13,750 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Master | $122,038 | |
| Information Science/Studies. | Master | $119,358 | |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Doctoral | $109,763 | |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering. | Master | $92,632 | |
| Optometry. | Doctoral | $91,363 | $151,667 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Master | $85,760 |
The Risk Factor
92.9% of students at University of California-Berkeley graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
Berkeley gives you a strong financial return with unusually low risk. You graduate with median debt of $13,000, and you pay it back against median earnings that clear $92,000 ten years out. The 92.9% graduation rate and 96.75% retention rate mean you're very likely to finish, so you rarely end up with debt and no degree,the outcome that sinks most bad college bets.
The engineering and computer science payoffs are where Berkeley shines. Electrical engineering and computer science both push past $125,000 with debt loads under $14,000, so your earnings dwarf what you borrow within a year of working. That combination is rare and makes these among the safest financial choices you can make at any public school.
The gap between programs is real. Business administration and chemical engineering land near $80,000,still solid, but roughly $45,000 below the top engineering tracks. Chemical engineering also carries the heaviest debt of the listed programs at over $18,000, so it pays off but costs you more upfront than the software and hardware paths.
The main financial risk here is major choice. Berkeley's numbers are dragged upward by its tech pipeline into the Bay Area job market. picking a major outside that pipeline means you pay Berkeley prices without the six-figure exit. If you're set on engineering or CS, the math is hard to beat.
The income tiers reward lower-income families most. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay under $6,000 a year. if you earn over $110,000, you pay $35,154. That top-tier price is where Berkeley stops being a bargain, so run the numbers on your major before committing if you're paying full freight. Below $75,000, this is one of the better financial deals available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is UC Berkeley worth the cost compared to other universities?
UC Berkeley offers strong ROI with a net price of $15,000 and median earnings of $92,000 ten years after graduation. The low median debt of $13,000 and 93% graduation rate make it financially safer than most private alternatives.
Which UC Berkeley programs provide the best return on investment?
Business and law programs at UC Berkeley lead in earnings, with business graduates averaging $172,000 and law graduates $142,000. Engineering and computer science also perform well, with starting salaries around $125,000.
How much student debt do UC Berkeley graduates typically have?
UC Berkeley graduates carry a median debt of just $13,000, well below the national average. The combination of strong financial aid and California's public university pricing keeps debt manageable for most students.
Does UC Berkeley's financial aid make it affordable for low-income students?
Yes, UC Berkeley's net price averages $15,000 annually after aid, making it accessible for many families. California residents from families earning under $80,000 typically pay no tuition through the Blue and Gold program.