UC Berkeley vs. SCU

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Berkeley is larger than SCU based on total student enrollment (45,882 students vs. 9,728 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Berkeley is located in Berkeley, CA (Midsize City setting); Santa Clara University is in Santa Clara, CA (Midsize City setting).
• University of California Berkeley is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Santa Clara University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Berkeley 18:1; Santa Clara University 11:1.

UC Berkeley vs. SCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Berkeley or SCU? 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 SCU ($16,538 vs. $53,883).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Santa Clara University are 16.2% lower than at University of California Berkeley ($19,893 vs. $23,750).
• Santa Clara University is 274.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Berkeley (about $44,946 more per year; $61,293.00 vs. $16,347.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.3% higher at SCU than at University of California Berkeley (about $10,746 more per year; $61,293.00 vs. $50,547.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Santa Clara University than at University of California Berkeley (71% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Berkeley students is 4.4% larger than aid received by Santa Clara University students ($29,608 vs. $28,368).

UC Berkeley vs. SCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Berkeley (1420) is the same as at SCU (1420).
• Incoming UC Berkeley students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 32) as students at SCU (32).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Berkeley 1310/1530; Santa Clara University 1350/1490.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Berkeley 30/35; Santa Clara University 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Berkeley - Test-free; SCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Berkeley Nov 30, 2026; SCU Jan 7, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UC Berkeley students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at SCU (3.67).
• SCU has a higher acceptance rate (48%) than UC Berkeley (11%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46% at UC Berkeley vs. 17.7% at SCU.

UC Berkeley vs. SCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Berkeley and SCU? 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 Santa Clara University's (85%).
• Graduates from Santa Clara University earn a median of about $7,200 more per year than UC Berkeley graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,900 vs. $74,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Berkeley graduates have a $7,300 lower median loan debt than SCU graduates ($14,200 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, UC Berkeley graduates have an estimated $76 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCU graduates ($146 vs. $222).
• More SCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC Berkeley students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.