Is University of California-Berkeley worth it?

Berkeley, CA · public

Verdict

Typical students pay $13,481 a year after aid, graduate with $13,000 in federal debt, and earn $74,919 six years after enrolling — an estimated monthly loan payment of $139, with a debt break-even of about 1.7 years.

Net price / year

$13,481

Admission rate

11%

Graduation rate

Median debt

$13,000

Earnings (6 yr)

$74,919

Earnings (10 yr)

$92,446

Est. monthly loan payment

$139

Loan-to-income ratio

17%

Debt break-even

1.7 years

How University of California-Berkeley compares

MetricUniversity of California-BerkeleyCaliforniaNational
Net price$13,481$18,742$16,642
Median debt$13,000$10,028$12,377
Earnings (6 yr)$74,919$33,633$33,037
Graduation rate

FAQ

How much does it cost to attend University of California-Berkeley?

The federal average net price after grants and scholarships is $13,481 a year. That figure reflects what a typical student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the sticker price.

How much debt do University of California-Berkeley graduates typically carry?

Students who complete a program at University of California-Berkeley leave with a median federal debt of $13,000, based on the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.

What do University of California-Berkeley graduates earn?

Six years after enrolling, former students report median earnings of $74,919, drawn from federal tax records aggregated by the College Scorecard.

What is the graduation rate at University of California-Berkeley?

Graduation rate data is not currently published for this school.

Is University of California-Berkeley worth the debt?

Based on median debt and 6-year earnings, it would take roughly 1.7 years of 10% income allocation to pay off the typical debt load — compare that against your own expected major and career path before deciding.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.