University of California Berkeley

  • 9/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Berkeley, CA
  • 5.0 2 reviews
#5 Best Public Universities in America

Overview

Total enrollment

45,882
University of California Berkeley overview
University of California Berkeley overview
  • Size Large
  • Status Non-profit
  • 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

UC Berkeley is rated within the top 14% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 9 out of 10.

  • Overall Rating
    9 out of 10
  • Academics
    10 out of 10
  • Resources
    7 out of 10
  • Outcomes
    10 out of 10
  • Value
    10 out of 10

Admissions

Admission Standards

Exceptional
University of California Berkeley admission standards
  • GPA 3.87

Acceptance Rate

11%
University of California Berkeley applications overview
  • Applications Due Nov 30, 2026
  • Enrollment Rate 46%
  • Application Fee $80

Applicant Competition Very High

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Annual Cost to Attend

California Resident Tuition

$16,347

Out of State Resident Tuition

$50,547

Breakdown

In State Costs for University of California Berkeley
  • Tuition $16,347
  • Books and Supplies $1,131
  • Other Fees $3,201
  • Room and Board $23,750
  • Budget for Other Expenses $7,031
  • Total One Year Cost $51,460

Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$74,700 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

90% within 6 years

Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at University of California Berkeley are Social Sciences, Biology, and Engineering. 20% of students major in Social Sciences, 13% in Biology, and 10% in Engineering.

  • Social Sciences 20%
  • Biology 13%
  • Engineering 10%
  • English and Literature 5%
  • Natural Resources Conservation 5%

More Colleges to Consider

Students considering University of California Berkeley are frequently interested in these similar colleges.

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=110635.

GPA calculator: University of California Berkeley GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026