UCLA ranks at the 93.6th percentile for return on investment, reflecting excellent long-term value for educational investment. Graduates earn $13,353 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing UCLA at the 89.5th percentile for this value measure. The median earnings of $82,511 rank at the 94th percentile nationally, demonstrating strong absolute outcomes. UCLA graduates earn $21,968 more annually than peers from similar institutions while maintaining debt levels $6,000 below peer medians. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.17 indicates highly manageable repayment scenarios, with graduates earning nearly six dollars for every dollar of student debt. This combination of premium earnings outcomes with controlled borrowing creates exceptional return profiles that support long-term financial stability and economic advancement for graduates across diverse academic programs.
UCLA graduates demonstrate strong earnings growth over time, with median earnings rising from $59,063 six years after enrollment to $72,864 at eight years and $82,511 at ten years. This represents 39.7% growth from the six-year to ten-year mark, indicating sustained career advancement. These outcomes are based on a ten-year cohort of 6,264 graduates, providing high statistical confidence. Graduates earn $13,353 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, ranking at the 89.5th percentile for earnings uplift. Low-income graduates achieve particularly strong outcomes at $74,300, placing UCLA in the top 5% nationally for this measure. The earnings distribution shows meaningful variation, with the 75th percentile reaching $126,452 while the 25th percentile achieves $55,896, reflecting differences in program choice and career paths. Approximately 24.2% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating strong preparation for advanced education pathways.
Latest FE earnings field: 10-year
Lower quartile, 10-year field
UCLA's earnings outcomes reveal substantial variation across programs and career trajectories. The spread between the 25th percentile ($55,896) and 75th percentile ($126,452) represents a 2.3:1 ratio, demonstrating the range of post-graduation opportunities. Engineering programs lead earnings outcomes, with Electrical and Electronics Engineering graduates earning $110,760. Applied Economics graduates earn $81,475, while Applied Mathematics graduates achieve $81,414. Mathematical Statistics graduates earn $77,720, and interdisciplinary programs like Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies produce $65,593 in median earnings. The substantial earnings growth from early to mid-career, increasing nearly 40% between the six-year and ten-year measurements, suggests graduates successfully advance in their chosen fields rather than plateauing early.
Financial justification for the investment.
Earnings outcomes show meaningful variation across career paths, with the range from $55,896 at the 25th percentile to $126,452 at the 75th percentile representing substantial upside potential. Low-income graduates earn $74,300, ranking in the top 5% nationally and demonstrating strong economic mobility outcomes. The earnings spread indicates that program choice and career direction significantly influence financial outcomes, with engineering and applied mathematics leading earnings while humanities and social sciences provide strong value through different metrics.
Approximately 24.2% of UCLA graduates continue to graduate or professional study, based on program mix analysis with high confidence. This substantial continuation rate reflects UCLA's strong preparation for advanced degrees and competitive positioning for professional school admission across multiple fields.
Program mix and student pathways explain much of the earnings story.
UCLA's highest-earning programs are led by Electrical and Electronics Engineering at $110,760, followed by Applied Economics and Applied Mathematics, both exceeding $81,000 in median earnings. Applied Economics combines strong earnings with the largest enrollment of 833 graduates, demonstrating both accessibility and outcomes. Mid-range earning programs like Multi-Interdisciplinary Studies ($65,593) and Biochemistry ($61,419) provide specialized career preparation with solid financial returns. Lower-earning programs such as African-American Studies ($51,490) and American History ($47,888) achieve exceptional national rankings and value scores despite moderate salary outcomes, reflecting their effectiveness in graduate school preparation and specialized career paths that may prioritize public service or academic advancement over immediate earnings maximization.
See which programs drive the strongest earnings and career trajectories
Upper quartile, 10-year field
Earnings outcomes show meaningful variation across career paths, with the range from $55,896 at the 25th percentile to $126,452 at the 75th percentile representing substantial upside potential. Low-income graduates earn $74,300, ranking in the top 5% nationally and demonstrating strong economic mobility outcomes. The earnings spread indicates that program choice and career direction significantly influence financial outcomes, with engineering and applied mathematics leading earnings while humanities and social sciences provide strong value through different metrics.
