Students at UCLA achieve exceptional earnings that far exceed what similar students earn at other institutions, reflecting one of the strongest financial advantages among public universities nationwide.
Graduates consistently reach top-tier income levels while benefiting from earnings premiums that place UCLA among the most valuable educational investments in American higher education.
The University of California-Los Angeles stands among the most prestigious public universities in the nation, delivering exceptional long-term value for students who can gain admission. UCLA ranks in the top 6% nationally for overall return on investment, reflecting its unique combination of academic excellence, strong alumni networks, and outstanding graduate earnings. With median 10-year earnings of $82,511 and graduates consistently earning $13,353 more than similar students at other institutions, UCLA demonstrates why it's considered one of the crown jewels of American public higher education.
The university serves a moderately diverse student body, with 27% of students receiving Pell Grants and 38% being first-generation college students. While access is more limited than at typical public universities due to UCLA's selectivity, the students who do enroll achieve remarkable outcomes. The institution's "Selective Achievers" designation reflects this pattern: strong outcomes for enrolled students, though with more limited access for low-income families compared to less selective institutions.
As a large research university in Los Angeles, UCLA offers unparalleled opportunities in entertainment, technology, healthcare, and business. The combination of academic rigor, location advantages, and powerful alumni networks creates a platform for long-term career success that few public universities can match. For students who can navigate the competitive admissions process, UCLA represents one of the strongest return-on-investment opportunities in American higher education.
UCLA's program portfolio reflects the breadth and depth expected from a world-class research university, with particular strength in fields that leverage the university's Los Angeles location and alumni network. Applied Economics stands out as the highest aggregate-return program, combining substantial enrollment of 833 graduates with solid median earnings of $51,899, making it a cornerstone of UCLA's economic impact. The program's success reflects strong demand for economics training in Los Angeles's diverse economy, from entertainment and media to finance and technology.
Engineering programs deliver UCLA's highest individual earnings, with Computer Engineering graduates earning $97,071 ten years out—among the strongest outcomes for any public university program. This performance reflects both UCLA's engineering excellence and the robust demand for technical talent in Southern California's aerospace, technology, and defense industries. Applied/Public Sociology, while showing more modest early earnings at $34,562, represents UCLA's largest program with 787 graduates and provides foundation training for careers in social services, education, and public policy.
The range from Applied/Public Sociology to Computer Engineering illustrates UCLA's comprehensive mission: providing pathways to success across diverse fields while maintaining the academic rigor and alumni connections that drive strong long-term outcomes. Even programs with lower initial earnings benefit from UCLA's prestige and network effects, helping explain why graduates across all fields consistently outperform earnings expectations compared with similar students at other institutions.
UCLA graduates achieve exceptional long-term earnings that place the university among the very best public institutions nationwide. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $82,511, with the university ranking in the 94th percentile nationally for graduate earnings. Even more impressive is UCLA's ability to deliver earnings beyond expectations—graduates earn about $13,353 more than similar students at other institutions, demonstrating the substantial value of a UCLA degree in the job market.
The university's program mix drives much of this strong performance. Applied Economics, UCLA's highest aggregate-return major, combines substantial enrollment (833 graduates) with solid median earnings of $51,899, creating significant economic impact. Computer Engineering represents the earnings ceiling, with graduates earning $97,071 ten years out, while Applied/Public Sociology, the largest program with 787 graduates, provides a foundation for diverse career paths with median earnings of $34,562. This range reflects UCLA's comprehensive academic portfolio, from high-earning STEM and business fields to liberal arts programs that offer strong long-term career flexibility.
UCLA's Los Angeles location provides additional earnings advantages, as graduates enter one of the nation's most dynamic job markets. The university's strong alumni network, combined with proximity to major employers in entertainment, technology, aerospace, and healthcare, helps explain why UCLA graduates consistently outperform earnings expectations. The combination of academic prestige, geographic advantages, and program diversity creates a platform for sustained career growth that continues paying dividends well beyond the initial post-graduation years.
UCLA offers strong affordability for California families, particularly those with lower and middle incomes. Low-income students pay an average net price of $6,864 annually, well below the national average and reflecting California's robust financial aid system. Middle-income families see net costs around $11,065 per year, while higher-income families pay about $30,481—still reasonable for a university of UCLA's caliber and national reputation.
The university's debt profile is notably manageable given the strong earnings outcomes. Typical graduates leave with about $14,000 in federal student loan debt, a modest amount that reflects both UCLA's affordability and students' ability to cover costs through grants, work, and family contributions. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $24,000, indicating that many families choose to invest directly in their students' education at this prestigious institution. With a 0% federal loan default rate, UCLA demonstrates that its graduates can comfortably manage their educational investments.
What makes UCLA particularly sustainable financially is the strong alignment between borrowing levels and post-graduation earning power. With median earnings exceeding $82,000 ten years out, most graduates can easily handle standard loan repayment while building wealth for the future. The combination of reasonable debt levels, strong financial aid for lower-income students, and exceptional long-term earnings creates a financial model that works well for families across the income spectrum.
University Of California-Los Angeles Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
