UC Berkeley vs. Georgia Tech

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Berkeley in Berkeley, CA with Georgia Institute of Technology Main Campus in Atlanta, GA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Georgia Institute of Technology Main Campus is larger than UC Berkeley based on total student enrollment (53,363 students vs. 45,882 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Berkeley is located in Berkeley, CA (Midsize City setting); Georgia Institute of Technology Main Campus is in Atlanta, GA (Large City setting).
• University of California Berkeley is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Georgia Institute of Technology Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Berkeley 18:1; Georgia Institute of Technology Main Campus 17:1.

UC Berkeley vs. Georgia Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Berkeley or Georgia Tech? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Georgia Institute of Technology Main Campus than UC Berkeley ($15,918 vs. $16,538).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Georgia Institute of Technology Main Campus are 42.7% lower than at University of California Berkeley ($13,608 vs. $23,750).
• University of California Berkeley is 35.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Georgia Tech (about $4,289 more per year; $16,347.00 vs. $12,058.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 46.6% higher at UC Berkeley than at Georgia Institute of Technology Main Campus (about $16,063 more per year; $50,547.00 vs. $34,484.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Georgia Institute of Technology Main Campus than at University of California Berkeley (71% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Berkeley students is 113.9% larger than aid received by Georgia Institute of Technology Main Campus students ($29,608 vs. $13,842).

UC Berkeley vs. Georgia Tech Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC Berkeley or Georgia Tech? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Georgia Tech and UC Berkeley.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Georgia Institute of Technology Main Campus (1460) is 40 points higher than at UC Berkeley (1420).
• Incoming UC Berkeley students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 32) as students at Georgia Tech (32).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Berkeley 1310/1530; Georgia Institute of Technology Main Campus 1370/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Berkeley 30/35; Georgia Institute of Technology Main Campus 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Berkeley - Test-free; Georgia Tech - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Berkeley Nov 30, 2026; Georgia Tech Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UC Berkeley students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Georgia Tech (3.85).
• Georgia Tech has a higher acceptance rate (14.1%) than UC Berkeley (11%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46% at UC Berkeley vs. 45.6% at Georgia Tech.

UC Berkeley vs. Georgia Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Berkeley and Georgia Tech? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of California Berkeley's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than Georgia Institute of Technology Main Campus's (79%).
• Graduates from Georgia Institute of Technology Main Campus earn a median of about $7,900 more per year than UC Berkeley graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,600 vs. $74,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Berkeley graduates have a $9,800 lower median loan debt than Georgia Tech graduates ($14,200 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, UC Berkeley graduates have an estimated $102 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Georgia Tech graduates ($146 vs. $248).
• More Georgia Tech graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC Berkeley students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 79%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.