Overview
Enrollment
| Location | Berkeley, California |
| Online | berkeley.edu |
| School Type | Public 4 Year |
| Setting | Midsize City |
| Size | Large |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
The University of California, Berkeley, situated in the San Francisco Bay Area, occupies a 1,232-acre urban campus with classical Beaux-Arts architecture at its historic core. Founded in 1868 as the first campus of the University of California system, Berkeley stands as a public research institution that maintains highly selective undergraduate admissions. The university encompasses 14 colleges and schools, with particular academic strengths in engineering, chemistry, physics, computer science, and environmental science, while its College of Letters and Science serves as the largest college on campus. Berkeley's campus integrates into the city's downtown area, with student housing options both on campus and throughout the surrounding Berkeley community. The university competes in NCAA Division I athletics as the California Golden Bears, with a longstanding rivalry against Stanford University in the annual "Big Game."
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
UC Berkeley is rated within the top 15% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 9 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for University of California Berkeley within the 2024 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#63 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#5 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#9 in Best Colleges in California
#2 in Best Public Colleges in California
#45 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#7 in Best Value Colleges in California
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1310/1530 |
| ACT | 30/35 |
| GPA | 3.87 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Nov 30, 2024 |
| Applicant Competition | Very High |
| Application Fee | $70 |
Annual Cost to Attend
California Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,139 |
| Other Fees | $2,831 |
| Room and Board | $21,402 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $6,107 |
| Total One Year Cost | $43,043 |
Out of State Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,139 |
| Other Fees | $2,831 |
| Room and Board | $21,402 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $6,107 |
| Total One Year Cost | $73,115 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Social Sciences | 20% |
| Biology | 13% |
| Engineering | 10% |
| English and Literature | 5% |
| Natural Resources Conservation | 5% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering UC Berkeley are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Questions and Answers
CollegeSimply Advisor posts about University of California Berkeley.
- Affordable public universities with good engineering programs?
- Campus culture at UC Berkeley?
- What GPA is needed for engineering at UC Berkeley?
- Is lacking a class rank disadvantageous?
- Does UC Berkeley engage in SAT superscoring?
- Can I take both the SAT and ACT?
- Can I bounce back from a bad GPA in freshman year?
- What are acceptance rates for transfers like?
- Strategies for Maximizing AP Credits?
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=110635 IPEDS survey data for University of California Berkeley.
Current students may use the University of California Berkeley GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2024