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Head-to-head comparison

University of California-Berkeley vs California Institute of Technology: which has better ROI?

Public, Berkeley CA · vs · Private nonprofit, Pasadena CA

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

Option A Berkeley, CA

University of California-Berkeley

Net price / year
$13,481
Earnings, 10 years
$92,446
Payback
1.2 yrs

Option B Pasadena, CA

California Institute of Technology

Net price / year
$16,075
Earnings, 10 years
$128,566
Payback
0.8 yrs
The verdict

California Institute of Technology has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $64,300 in 0.8 years versus 1.2 years at University of California-Berkeley, on median earnings of $128,566 vs $92,446 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of California-BerkeleyCalifornia Institute of Technology
Net price / yr$13,481$16,075
Total net cost$53,924$64,300
Median earnings, 10 yrs$92,446$128,566
Median debt$13,000—
Payback1.2 yrs0.8 yrs
20-year net return$827,796$1,539,820

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

The short answer

Which is cheaper, University of California-Berkeley or California Institute of Technology?

University of California-Berkeley, at $13,481 a year after aid versus $16,075 — a gap of $2,594 a year, or $10,376 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

The short answer

Do University of California-Berkeley or California Institute of Technology graduates earn more?

California Institute of Technology graduates report a median $128,566 ten years after entry, $36,120 more than the $92,446 at University of California-Berkeley. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

The short answer

Which graduates more of its students?

94% of students finish at California Institute of Technology, against 93% at University of California-Berkeley. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

University of California-Berkeley vs California Institute of Technology: frequently asked questions

Is University of California-Berkeley or California Institute of Technology a better value?
California Institute of Technology. It clears its $64,300 net cost in about 0.8 years versus 1.2 years at University of California-Berkeley, on median earnings of $128,566 vs $92,446 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of California-Berkeley or California Institute of Technology?
University of California-Berkeley: $13,481/yr net price after aid versus $16,075/yr at California Institute of Technology — a difference of $2,594 a year, or about $10,376 over four years.
Do University of California-Berkeley or California Institute of Technology graduates earn more?
California Institute of Technology graduates earn a median $128,566 ten years after entry, versus $92,446 at University of California-Berkeley — a $36,120 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.