University of California Berkeley campus

UC Berkeley Admission Requirements

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UC Berkeley Admission Overview

UC Berkeley admission requirements are very highly competitive, with one of the lowest admission rates in California. Last year UC Berkeley admitted 11% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.87 GPA (A). UC Berkeley is test-free. SAT and ACT are not used for admission. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

UC Berkeley is test-free for 2026-27. SAT and ACT are not used, even if you send them.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/applying-as-a-first-year/filling-out-the-application.html

UC Berkeley Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

11%

Admission Standards

Elite

Applicant Competition

Very High

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The UC Berkeley acceptance rate is 11%. Last year, only 13,639 of 124,242 applicants were admitted. That is the 8th lowest acceptance rate in California and the 34th lowest in the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into UC Berkeley and can you get accepted?

UC Berkeley is a very highly competitive school to get into, admitting fewer than one in four applicants. You have a low chance of acceptance even if you meet last year's profile.

University of California Berkeley typically attracts "A" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.87. 46% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

UC Berkeley GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.87

Typical High School Grades

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.87

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at UC Berkeley typically have around a 3.87 GPA (A) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have exceptionally good grades. Matching last year's 3.87 average does not by itself determine admission. UC Berkeley is test-free, so GPA is the main academic number in the file.

33% of enrolled freshmen had a 4.0. The school ranks #13 in California for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.9 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.

High school GPA ranges for enrolled University of California Berkeley freshmen
High School GPA	Freshmen Within Range	Competitiveness
4.0	33.0%	Good
3.75 to 3.99	50.4%	Avg -
3.50 to 3.74	12.9%	Reach
3.25 to 3.49	2.7%	Reach
3.00 to 3.24	0.7%	Reach
2.50 to 2.99	0.2%	Reach
2.00 to 2.49	0.1%	Low
1.00 to 1.99	0%	Low
less than 1.00	0%	Low

What do these figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

UC Berkeley Test Policy

Test Submission Requirements

UC Berkeley does not consider SAT or ACT scores for admission or scholarships for first-year applicants in the 2026-27 cycle. You may report SAT or ACT scores only after you submit the UC application. Those scores may be used as an alternative method of fulfilling minimum eligibility requirements or for course placement after you enroll.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/applying-as-a-first-year/filling-out-the-application.html

UC Berkeley SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1310-1530

Freshmen who sent SAT

79%

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 650
Math 660
Composite 1310

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 740
Math 790
Composite 1530

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at UC Berkeley typically score around a 1420 SAT (middle 50% 1310–1530) out of 1600. These figures are from the last year SAT scores were reported, not a cutoff. SAT is not used for admission, even if you send it. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 96th percentile nationally. UC Berkeley ranks #11 in the state of California and #85 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1310 to 1530

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

View other colleges which accept students in the 1420 SAT score range.

SAT scores are from the last year they were reported to IPEDS. They are not used for admission.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

UC Berkeley ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

30-35

Freshmen reporting ACT

50%

25th Percentile Scores

English 27
Math 27
Composite 30

75th Percentile Scores

English 35
Math 34
Composite 35

Average ACT

Incoming testers at UC Berkeley typically have around a 32 ACT (mid-50 30–35) on the 36 scale. These numbers come from the last year ACT scores were reported, not a minimum for admission. ACT is not considered, even if you submit it. That average sits near the 97th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. UC Berkeley places #7 among colleges in California and #58 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 30 to 35

1 9 18 27 36

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 32.0 ACT score range.

ACT figures reflect the last year they were reported to IPEDS. They are not used in admission.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Estimate How You Compare

Compare your GPA with last year's enrolled class and this school's acceptance rate. SAT and ACT are not used.

Open the UC Berkeley chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

University of California Berkeley admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	63,630	60,612	124,242
Accepted	8,166	5,473	13,639
Acceptance Rate	13%	9%	11%
Enrolled	3,567	2,705	6,272
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	44%	49%	46%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to University of California Berkeley and what student information is used for admission decisions?

University of California Berkeley application requirements
Requirement	Used for Admission
Test Scores	Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
High School GPA	Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank	Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies	Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2026 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Nov 30, 2026

Days left to Apply

Applicants have 91 days left until the Fall 2026 term applications are due on Nov 30, 2026.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to University of California Berkeley is $80.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at University of California Berkeley
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	No
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

UC Berkeley is test-free for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 11% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.87 GPA (about an A average). Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025