Acceptance Rate
11%
Avg. SAT
1510
75th percentile
“Public research powerhouse born from 1868 merger, fueling Silicon Valley brains and Free Speech legacy.”
Berkeley, CA
Location
Midsize City
Campus Setting
UC Berkeley traces its roots to 1868, when a private liberal arts college merged with public land-grant institutions to create California's first University of California campus. This blend shaped its identity as a flagship public research university that punches above its weight in innovation and impact. Students who thrive here are self-starters who embrace intellectual intensity, diverse viewpoints, and a fast-paced environment; those seeking small-class intimacy or hand-holding might find the scale overwhelming. The campus personality mixes rigorous scholarship with spirited activism, set on a hilly, eucalyptus-scented expanse overlooking San Francisco Bay. Berkeley's midsize city setting offers walkable streets lined with indie shops and eateries, but the Bay Area's high cost of living demands careful budgeting, especially for housing off-campus.
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Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Test Policy
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Average GPA
Application Fee
Academics
Student-Faculty Ratio
Programs Offered
Full-Time Faculty
Women Faculty
Research Spending
Degree Levels Offered
Berkeley excels in engineering, computer science, biology, and economics, with its electrical engineering and computer sciences department drawing top talent nationwide. You'll attend massive lectures in iconic halls like Wheeler, followed by smaller discussion sections where teaching assistants guide problem-solving, fostering independence amid the 18:1 student-faculty ratio. Research opportunities abound for undergrads through programs like URAP, letting you join labs tackling climate tech or genomics. The intellectual culture rewards bold ideas, but popular majors fill quickly after freshman year, requiring strong grades to switch in. Tradeoffs include occasional frustration with bureaucracy in a system serving over 33,000 undergrads, and variable professor accessibility.
Student Body
Total Enrollment
33,070 undergrad • 12,812 grad
Undergraduate
Graduate
International
White
22%
Black / African American
3%
Hispanic / Latino
19%
Asian
31%
Other / Multi-racial
26%
Campus Life
Campus Setting
Berkeley, CA
Varsity Athletics
NCAA Athletics
Campus life buzzes with Cal Bears athletics, where tailgates precede football rivalries like the Big Game against Stanford, and the Marching Band scatters in playful formations. A typical week blends early-morning hikes up the fire trails, club meetings from hackathons to a cappella, and evenings studying in cafes or co-op houses. Residential options range from high-rise dorms to historic co-ops run by students, though first-years might share bathrooms in doubles. The social scene skews collaborative yet competitive, with foggy winters and dry summers shaping outdoor hangs at Memorial Glade. Urban edges mean navigating traffic and noise, but proximity to Bay Area hikes and events keeps weekends lively; partying exists but often yields to all-nighters before midterms.
Housing
On-Campus Housing
Housing Capacity
Meal Plan Available
Average Room & Board
Athletics
Athletic Association
Atlantic Coast Conference
ROTC & Veteran Support
Army
Yes
Navy
Yes
Air Force
Yes
Veteran’s Programs Available
Yellow Ribbon Program (Post-9/11 GI Bill)
Yes
Credit for military training
Yes
Dedicated point of contact for veteran support services
Yes
Recognized student veteran organization
Yes
Cost & Aid
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
Room & Board
Estimated Cost
Financial Aid
Students Receiving Aid
Receiving Pell Grants
Average Grant
Average Federal Loan
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Outcomes & Earnings
Retention Rate
97%
4 Years Graduation Rate
84%
6 Years Graduation Rate
94%
Median 10-Year Earnings
$92,446
97% of first-time, full-time students complete their freshman year at University of California-Berkeley and return in the fall. 84% of first-time, full-time students graduate in 4 years, and 94% graduate within 6 years.
Graduation Rate
4-year grads
84%
4-5 years
10%
6-8 years
1%
Non-grad
5%
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Key Statistics
Type
Public
Tuition
$11,564
Acceptance
11%
Undergrads
33,070
4-Year Grad Rate
84%
Endowment
$3.0B
Berkeley, CA 94720
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