“Both colleges require a substantial financial investment from an about to retire father although UCLA is $ 11k cheaper in tuition fees.”
I really think this is the deciding factor in favor of UCLA. Both are great academic schools and both have strong Muslim communities (assuming that is important to a degree). So if $44K is meaningful, which it should like it is to you, then you may have your answer. But, I hope that your daughter has a big, big say in the decision.