UC Berkeley vs. La Sierra University

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Berkeley in Berkeley, CA with La Sierra University in Riverside, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California Berkeley is larger than La Sierra University based on total student enrollment (45,882 students vs. 1,574 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Berkeley is located in Berkeley, CA (Midsize City setting); La Sierra University is in Riverside, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California Berkeley is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. La Sierra University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Berkeley 18:1; La Sierra University 12:1.

UC Berkeley vs. La Sierra University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Berkeley or La Sierra University? 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 University of California Berkeley than La Sierra University ($16,538 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at La Sierra University are 43.4% lower than at University of California Berkeley ($13,431 vs. $23,750).
• La Sierra University is 130.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Berkeley (about $21,363 more per year; $37,710.00 vs. $16,347.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34% higher at UC Berkeley than at La Sierra University (about $12,837 more per year; $50,547.00 vs. $37,710.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at La Sierra University than at University of California Berkeley (98% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Berkeley students is 7.1% larger than aid received by La Sierra University students ($29,608 vs. $27,646).

UC Berkeley vs. La Sierra University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC Berkeley or La Sierra University? 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 La Sierra University and UC Berkeley.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Berkeley (1420) is 410 points higher than at La Sierra University (1010).
• Incoming UC Berkeley students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 23 at La Sierra University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Berkeley 1310/1530; La Sierra University 880/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Berkeley 30/35; La Sierra University 18/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Berkeley - Test-free; La Sierra University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Berkeley Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Berkeley students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at La Sierra University (3.54).
• La Sierra University has a higher acceptance rate (91.5%) than UC Berkeley (11%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46% at UC Berkeley vs. 13.3% at La Sierra University.

UC Berkeley vs. La Sierra University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Berkeley and La Sierra University? 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 La Sierra University's (32%).
• Graduates from University of California Berkeley earn a median of about $22,800 more per year than La Sierra University graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,700 vs. $51,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Berkeley graduates have a $15,800 lower median loan debt than La Sierra University graduates ($14,200 vs. $30,000).
• Among borrowers, UC Berkeley graduates have an estimated $164 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than La Sierra University graduates ($146 vs. $310).
• More UC Berkeley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former La Sierra University students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 52%)

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.