College Comparison
University of California-Berkeley vs University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Compare acceptance rates, costs, test scores, graduation rates, and more to find your best fit.
At a Glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
Berkeley, CA
Champaign, IL
Total Enrollment
45,882
59,238
Undergrad Enrollment
33,070
37,140
Student-Faculty Ratio
18:1
20:1
Admissions
Acceptance Rate
11.0%
42.4%
Average GPA
3.87
3.83
SAT Range
1350–1510
1310–1520
ACT Range
30–34
30–34
Test Policy
Not Required
Optional
Application Fee
$80
$50
Total Applicants
124,242
73,742
Cost & Value
Sticker Price
$35,314
$28,562
Avg Net Price
$16,997
$14,297
Tuition (In-State)
$11,564
$14,542
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$41,636
$35,122
Room & Board
$23,750
$14,020
% Receiving Aid
53.0%
52.0%
Avg Grant Amount
$29,608
$19,299
Outcomes
6-Year Grad Rate
94.0%
87.0%
4-Year Grad Rate
84.0%
76.0%
Retention Rate
97.0%
95.0%
Median Earnings (10yr)
$92,446
$81,054
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Explore by Location
UC Berkeley is in Berkeley, CA
Illinois Urbana-Champaign is in Champaign, IL
Frequently Asked Questions
The average net price at California-Berkeley is $16,997 per year, compared to $14,297 at Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Illinois Urbana-Champaign is $2,700 less expensive on average after financial aid.
Admitted students at California-Berkeley typically score between 1350-1510 on the SAT (25th-75th percentile). At Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the typical SAT range is 1310-1520. Scoring within or above these ranges will make you a competitive applicant.
California-Berkeley has a graduation rate of 94%, while Illinois Urbana-Champaign has a graduation rate of 87%. California-Berkeley has the higher graduation rate, indicating strong student support and retention.
California-Berkeley has a student-to-faculty ratio of 18:1, while Illinois Urbana-Champaign has a ratio of 20:1. California-Berkeley offers smaller class sizes on average, which typically means more individual attention from professors.
At California-Berkeley, 53% of students receive financial aid with an average grant of $29,608. At Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 52% of students receive aid with an average grant of $19,299.
The median earnings for California-Berkeley graduates 10 years after enrollment is $92,446, compared to $81,054 for Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduates. Graduates from California-Berkeley tend to earn more on average, though individual outcomes vary by major and career path.
California-Berkeley is located in Berkeley, CA in a city: midsize setting. Illinois Urbana-Champaign is located in Champaign, IL in a city: small setting.

