College Comparison
University of California-Berkeley vs University of Wisconsin-Madison
Compare acceptance rates, costs, test scores, graduation rates, and more to find your best fit.
At a Glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
Berkeley, CA
Madison, WI
Total Enrollment
45,882
51,044
Undergrad Enrollment
33,070
38,040
Student-Faculty Ratio
18:1
18:1
Admissions
Acceptance Rate
11.0%
45.2%
Average GPA
3.87
4.00
SAT Range
1350–1510
1380–1520
ACT Range
30–34
29–33
Test Policy
Not Required
Optional
Application Fee
$80
$70
Total Applicants
124,242
65,894
Cost & Value
Sticker Price
$35,314
$21,406
Avg Net Price
$16,997
$14,216
Tuition (In-State)
$11,564
$9,273
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$41,636
$37,904
Room & Board
$23,750
$12,133
% Receiving Aid
53.0%
35.0%
Avg Grant Amount
$29,608
$17,741
Outcomes
6-Year Grad Rate
94.0%
89.0%
4-Year Grad Rate
84.0%
73.0%
Retention Rate
97.0%
96.0%
Median Earnings (10yr)
$92,446
$73,792
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Explore by Location
UC Berkeley is in Berkeley, CA
Wisconsin is in Madison, WI
Frequently Asked Questions
The average net price at California-Berkeley is $16,997 per year, compared to $14,216 at Wisconsin-Madison. Wisconsin-Madison is $2,781 less expensive on average after financial aid.
Admitted students at California-Berkeley typically score between 1350-1510 on the SAT (25th-75th percentile). At Wisconsin-Madison, the typical SAT range is 1380-1520. Scoring within or above these ranges will make you a competitive applicant.
California-Berkeley has a graduation rate of 94%, while Wisconsin-Madison has a graduation rate of 89%. 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 Wisconsin-Madison has a ratio of 18:1. Wisconsin-Madison 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 Wisconsin-Madison, 35% of students receive aid with an average grant of $17,741.
The median earnings for California-Berkeley graduates 10 years after enrollment is $92,446, compared to $73,792 for Wisconsin-Madison 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. Wisconsin-Madison is located in Madison, WI in a city: large setting.