University of California-Berkeley vs Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus

Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?

Too close to call - both schools are within 3 points

ROI Score Comparison

97
Exceptional Value
Earnings
98(1.06x)
Payback
99(3.4 yr)
Debt/Earn
97(0.23)
Completion
97(93%)
Repayment
86(85%)
97
Exceptional Value
Earnings
99(1.40x)
Payback
100(2.8 yr)
Debt/Earn
92(0.33)
Completion
98(94%)
Repayment
96(91%)

The Financial Comparison

University of California-Berkeley and Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus are closely matched on financial return. University of California-Berkeley scores 97/100 while Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus scores 97/100 - a gap small enough that individual circumstances (major choice, financial aid package, in-state vs out-of-state status) will likely matter more than the overall score difference.

On cost, Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus comes in at $12,116 per year (net price after aid) versus $13,481 at University of California-Berkeley - a difference of $1,365 annually, or roughly $5,460 over four years.

Ten years after enrollment, Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus graduates earn a median of $102,772 compared to $92,446 at University of California-Berkeley. The payback period is 3.4 years at University of California-Berkeley versus 2.8 years at Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus.

Graduates leave University of California-Berkeley with a median $13,000 in debt versus $21,672 at Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.23 and 0.33 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.

Head-to-Head Numbers

MetricUniversity of California-...Georgia Institute of Tech...
Cost
In-State Tuition$16,347$12,058
Out-of-State Tuition$50,547$34,484
Net Price (avg)$13,481$12,116
Total 4-Year Cost$53,924$48,464
Outcomes
Median Earnings (6yr)$57,600$66,100
Median Earnings (10yr)$92,446$102,772
Graduation Rate92.8%94.0%
Payback Period3.4 yr2.8 yr
Debt
Median Debt$13,000$21,672
Monthly Payment$138$230
Debt-to-Earnings0.230.33
3yr Repayment Rate84.9%90.6%
5yr Repayment Rate80.2%87.7%
Admissions
Acceptance Rate11.0%14.1%
Enrollment33,06818,785

Net Price by Family Income

Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.

Family IncomeUniversity of Califo...Georgia Institute of...
$0-$30,000$5,311$7,666
$30,001-$48,000$6,501$7,209
$48,001-$75,000$9,693$10,818
$75,001-$110,000$15,074$15,088
$110,001+$34,529$17,396

Earnings by Major - Head to Head

Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.

MajorUniversity of Califo...Georgia Institute of...
Electrical Engineering$200,543$111,655
Computer and Information Sciences$88,030$150,628
Business Administration, Management, and Operations$144,599$106,155
Mathematics$80,654$122,099
Chemical Engineering$121,027$104,104
Mechanical Engineering$119,371$99,955
Biomedical Engineering$110,597$102,755
Civil Engineering$108,548$85,133
Physics$96,043$82,431
Research and Experimental Psychology$64,904$83,012
Biology$79,163$19,167
Architecture$76,679$71,292

ROI Sub-Score Breakdown

ComponentUniversity of Califo...Georgia Institute of...
Earnings Premium (30%)9899
Payback Period (25%)99100
Debt / Earnings (20%)9792
Completion Rate (15%)9798
Repayment Rate (10%)8696
Overall ROI Score9797
Exceptional Value

The Verdict

These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. University of California-Berkeley edges out Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus by 0 points (97 vs 97), but the difference is small enough that major choice and individual circumstances will matter more than the school-level ROI difference. Run the numbers for your specific situation using the calculator below.

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97

University of California-Berkeley

Exceptional Value - Full profile and breakdown

97

Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus

Exceptional Value - Full profile and breakdown

Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.