Berkeley, CA · Private University
Is UC Berkeley Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$92,446
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$14,850
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$45,627
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$182,508
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.03x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
3.2 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
92.9%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$13,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$14,979
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
University of California-Berkeley graduates earn $47,446 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at University of California-Berkeley ranked by graduate earnings
208 graduates
318 graduates
181 graduates
167 graduates
57 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at University of California-Berkeley
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At University of California-Berkeley, the gap between the highest-earning major (Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering: $202,911) and the lowest (Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft: $29,047) is $173,864/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications EngineeringBest ROI | $202,911 | 4.5x |
| Computer Science | $178,867 | 3.9x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $123,780 | 2.7x |
| Applied Mathematics | $120,626 | 2.6x |
| Chemical Engineering | $108,067 | 2.4x |
| Economics | $106,624 | 2.3x |
| Statistics | $102,151 | 2.2x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $98,455 | 2.2x |
| Social Sciences, Other | $97,257 | 2.1x |
| Cognitive Science | $91,715 | 2.0x |
| Civil Engineering | $91,006 | 2.0x |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $89,225 | 2.0x |
| Operations Research(1yr data) | $88,685 | 1.9x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General(1yr data) | $88,030 | 1.9x |
| Mathematics | $87,173 | 1.9x |
| Urban Studies/Affairs | $81,737 | 1.8x |
| Area Studies | $77,557 | 1.7x |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $76,643 | 1.7x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $76,374 | 1.7x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $72,049 | 1.6x |
| Public Health | $67,892 | 1.5x |
| Nutrition Sciences | $64,929 | 1.4x |
| Chemistry | $64,496 | 1.4x |
| Sociology | $64,119 | 1.4x |
| Architecture | $63,901 | 1.4x |
| Political Science and Government | $62,430 | 1.4x |
| Biology, General | $61,867 | 1.4x |
| Physics | $61,607 | 1.4x |
| Social Work | $60,405 | 1.3x |
| Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate) | $56,692 | 1.2x |
| History | $56,461 | 1.2x |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | $55,407 | 1.2x |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | $54,840 | 1.2x |
| Astronomy and Astrophysics(1yr data) | $54,746 | 1.2x |
| Anthropology | $54,062 | 1.2x |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | $53,788 | 1.2x |
| Philosophy | $53,357 | 1.2x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $52,942 | 1.2x |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $51,969 | 1.1x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $50,767 | 1.1x |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology(1yr data) | $50,706 | 1.1x |
| International/Global Studies(1yr data) | $46,660 | 1.0x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $46,596 | 1.0x |
| Landscape Architecture(1yr data) | $43,413 | 0.9x |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $39,506 | 0.9x |
| Research and Experimental Psychology(1yr data) | $34,450 | 0.8x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftLowest | $29,047 | 0.6x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
University of California-Berkeley stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $92,446 10 years after starting — $47,446 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 3.2 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.