University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California · Public · 9.0% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 96/100 · Exceptional Value
University of California-Los Angeles
Exceptional ValueQuick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $15,203/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $49,403/yr |
| Average net price | $12,548/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $50,192 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $82,511 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $52,000 |
| Median debt at graduation | $14,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $148 |
| Estimated payback period | 4 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 92.6% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 33,475 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $5,579 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $6,682 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $9,811 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $14,142 |
| $110,001+ | $29,682 |
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at University of California-Los Angeles with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Economics | $95,440 | A |
| Psychology | $61,050 | C+ |
| Sociology | $64,692 | B |
| International Relations | $74,202 | B |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | $61,134 | C |
| Applied Mathematics | $103,887 | A |
| Biology | $61,804 | C |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | $72,443 | B |
| History | $59,555 | C+ |
| Cognitive Science | $102,066 | A |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at University of California-Los Angeles is $15,203/year ($49,403/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $12,548/year, or roughly $50,192 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $5,579/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $29,682/year.
The median graduate leaves with $14,000 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $148 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $82,511 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.27 - well within manageable territory.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 80.8% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 83.2% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 80.9% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 83.9% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 9.0% |
| Enrollment | 33,475 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 28.2% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $22,848 |
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of California-Los Angeles (this school) | 96 | $12,548 | $82,511 |
| Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus | 97 | $12,116 | $102,772 |
| California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | 96 | $16,665 | $90,768 |
| University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | 95 | $13,138 | $83,648 |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | 94 | $11,655 | $72,200 |
| California State University-Bakersfield | 75 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
University of California-Los Angeles is one of the strongest financial investments in higher education. With a total 4-year net cost of $50,192 and median graduate earnings of $82,511 ten years out, the math works decisively in graduates' favor. The estimated payback period of 4 years is well below average.
The data highlights several strengths: strong earnings premium over high school graduates, a 92.6% graduation rate, manageable debt relative to earnings, high loan repayment success.
Median debt of $14,000 is very manageable against $82,511 in annual earnings - well within the financial advisor rule of thumb that total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
Rankings & Links
Guides & Tools
Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.