University of California-Los Angeles 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

University of California-Los AngelesPublic - Los Angeles, CA
96
Exceptional Value
Earnings
98(0.95x)
Payback
98(4 yr)
Debt/Earn
96(0.27)
Completion
97(93%)
Repayment
80(83%)
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-Los Angeles and Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus are closely matched on financial return. University of California-Los Angeles scores 96/100 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 $12,548 at University of California-Los Angeles - a difference of $432 annually, or roughly $1,728 over four years.

Ten years after enrollment, Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus graduates earn a median of $102,772 compared to $82,511 at University of California-Los Angeles. The payback period is 4 years at University of California-Los Angeles versus 2.8 years at Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus.

Graduates leave University of California-Los Angeles with a median $14,000 in debt versus $21,672 at Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.27 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$15,203$12,058
Out-of-State Tuition$49,403$34,484
Net Price (avg)$12,548$12,116
Total 4-Year Cost$50,192$48,464
Outcomes
Median Earnings (6yr)$52,000$66,100
Median Earnings (10yr)$82,511$102,772
Graduation Rate92.6%94.0%
Payback Period4 yr2.8 yr
Debt
Median Debt$14,000$21,672
Monthly Payment$148$230
Debt-to-Earnings0.270.33
3yr Repayment Rate83.2%90.6%
5yr Repayment Rate80.9%87.7%
Admissions
Acceptance Rate9.0%14.1%
Enrollment33,47518,785

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$5,579$7,666
$30,001-$48,000$6,682$7,209
$48,001-$75,000$9,811$10,818
$75,001-$110,000$14,142$15,088
$110,001+$29,682$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...
Computer Engineering$228,705$128,497
Computer and Information Sciences$216,722$150,628
Electrical Engineering$126,209$111,655
Mathematics$99,269$122,099
Biomedical Engineering$116,525$102,755
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering$115,706$102,415
Mechanical Engineering$108,875$99,955
Chemical Engineering$108,066$104,104
Civil Engineering$97,092$85,133
Design and Applied Arts$66,259$95,697
Physics$85,708$82,431
Research and Experimental Psychology$61,134$83,012
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology$73,506$72,940
Biology$61,804$19,167

ROI Sub-Score Breakdown

ComponentUniversity of Califo...Georgia Institute of...
Earnings Premium (30%)9899
Payback Period (25%)98100
Debt / Earnings (20%)9692
Completion Rate (15%)9798
Repayment Rate (10%)8096
Overall ROI Score9697
Exceptional Value

The Verdict

These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus edges out University of California-Los Angeles by 1 points (97 vs 96), 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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96

University of California-Los Angeles

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.