UC Berkeley vs. PUC

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Berkeley in Berkeley, CA with Pacific Union College in Angwin, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California Berkeley is larger than PUC based on total student enrollment (45,882 students vs. 974 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Berkeley is located in Berkeley, CA (Midsize City setting); Pacific Union College is in Angwin, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of California Berkeley is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Pacific Union College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Berkeley 18:1; Pacific Union College 12:1.

UC Berkeley vs. PUC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Berkeley or PUC? 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 PUC ($16,538 vs. $22,767).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Union College are 58.7% lower than at University of California Berkeley ($9,816 vs. $23,750).
• Pacific Union College is 127.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Berkeley (about $20,826 more per year; $37,173.00 vs. $16,347.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36% higher at UC Berkeley than at Pacific Union College (about $13,374 more per year; $50,547.00 vs. $37,173.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pacific Union College than at University of California Berkeley (100% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Berkeley students is 11.2% larger than aid received by Pacific Union College students ($29,608 vs. $26,629).

UC Berkeley vs. PUC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC Berkeley or PUC? 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 PUC and UC Berkeley.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Berkeley (1420) is 360 points higher than at PUC (1060).
• Incoming UC Berkeley students have a 10 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 22 at PUC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Berkeley 1310/1530; Pacific Union College 930/1190.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Berkeley 30/35; Pacific Union College 20/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Berkeley - Test-free; PUC - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Berkeley Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Berkeley students have a 0.63 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at PUC (3.24).
• PUC has a higher acceptance rate (47.3%) than UC Berkeley (11%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46% at UC Berkeley vs. 14% at PUC.

UC Berkeley vs. PUC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Berkeley and PUC? 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 Pacific Union College's (45%).
• Graduates from University of California Berkeley earn a median of about $15,500 more per year than PUC graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,700 vs. $59,200), 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 PUC graduates ($14,200 vs. $30,000).
• Among borrowers, UC Berkeley graduates have an estimated $164 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PUC graduates ($146 vs. $310).
• More UC Berkeley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PUC students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 57%)

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.