UC Berkeley vs. Northeastern University Oakland

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Berkeley is larger than Northeastern University Oakland based on total student enrollment (45,882 students vs. 640 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Berkeley is located in Berkeley, CA (Midsize City setting); Northeastern University Oakland is in Oakland, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California Berkeley is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northeastern University Oakland is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Berkeley 18:1; Northeastern University Oakland 7:1.

UC Berkeley vs. Northeastern University Oakland Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Berkeley or Northeastern University Oakland? 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 Northeastern University Oakland ($16,538 vs. $27,473).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northeastern University Oakland are 17.6% lower than at University of California Berkeley ($19,580 vs. $23,750).
• Northeastern University Oakland is 314.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Berkeley (about $51,431 more per year; $67,778.00 vs. $16,347.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.1% higher at Northeastern University Oakland than at University of California Berkeley (about $17,231 more per year; $67,778.00 vs. $50,547.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northeastern University Oakland than at University of California Berkeley (67% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northeastern University Oakland students is 95.7% larger than aid received by University of California Berkeley students ($57,948 vs. $29,608).

UC Berkeley vs. Northeastern University Oakland Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC Berkeley or Northeastern University Oakland? 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 Northeastern University Oakland and UC Berkeley.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northeastern University Oakland (1470) is 50 points higher than at UC Berkeley (1420).
• Incoming UC Berkeley students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 32) as students at Northeastern University Oakland (32).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Berkeley 1310/1530; Northeastern University Oakland 1420/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Berkeley 30/35; Northeastern University Oakland 32/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Berkeley - Test-free; Northeastern University Oakland - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Berkeley Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Berkeley students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Northeastern University Oakland (3.57).
• Northeastern University Oakland has a higher acceptance rate (16.7%) than UC Berkeley (11%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46% at UC Berkeley vs. 14.9% at Northeastern University Oakland.

UC Berkeley vs. Northeastern University Oakland Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Berkeley and Northeastern University Oakland? 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 Northeastern University Oakland's (57%).
• Graduates from University of California Berkeley earn a median of about $30,300 more per year than Northeastern University Oakland graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,700 vs. $44,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Berkeley graduates have a $9,300 lower median loan debt than Northeastern University Oakland graduates ($14,200 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, UC Berkeley graduates have an estimated $96 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northeastern University Oakland graduates ($146 vs. $242).
• More UC Berkeley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northeastern University Oakland students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 66%)

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.