Ka Ching!

UCOP is promoting the economic returns of a UC degree. From a recent news release:

New data shows UC degrees deliver strong earnings and economic mobility amid rapidly changing economy

UC Office of the President, July 1, 2026

The University of California released new data today that shows a UC degree remains one of the best investments California students and families can make.* The data highlights UC’s affordability, return on investment and strong earnings for graduates. The findings come amid ongoing conversations about the value of higher education in an era defined by artificial intelligence, rising living costs and a rapidly evolving job market.

The newly released data reveals that UC graduates carry significantly less student debt than their peers, with average debt levels for an in-state student declining $11,400 over the past decade — giving UC graduates greater financial flexibility as they enter the job market. Within seven years of graduation, median earnings among UC degree-holders exceed the median for California bachelor’s degree recipients, a combination that makes a UC education one of the strongest financial investments a student can make.

“Many Americans are questioning the value of a college degree. We have a clear answer: A UC degree is not only worth it — it changes lives and entire communities for the better,” said UC President James B. Milliken. “This recent data affirms our efforts to expand affordability and accessibility to students from across California, demonstrating how a UC education is both attainable and transformative.”

A University of California analysis reveals that UC graduates recoup their educational investment in roughly six years after enrolling at the University. In addition, most Pell Grant graduates surpass their families’ earnings within three years — two years faster than reported in a 2021 analysis, reinforcing how UC drives social and economic mobility...

Full story at https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/press-room/new-data-shows-uc-degrees-deliver-strong-earnings-and-economic-mobility.

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*https://www.ucop.edu/institutional-research-academic-planning/_files/updated-evidence-on-the-economic-benefits-of-a-uc-degree.pdf. This more detailed reference refers to data published in the Washington Post, an odd source. No link to the Washington Post article is provided. Poking around on the web, yours truly found a March 31 reference:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2026/03/31/graduate-degree-earnings-study/.