UC Berkeley vs. SCI-Arc

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Berkeley in Berkeley, CA with Southern California Institute of Architecture in Los Angeles, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California Berkeley is larger than SCI-Arc based on total student enrollment (45,882 students vs. 418 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Berkeley is located in Berkeley, CA (Midsize City setting); Southern California Institute of Architecture is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California Berkeley is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern California Institute of Architecture is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Berkeley 18:1; Southern California Institute of Architecture 9:1.

UC Berkeley vs. SCI-Arc Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Berkeley or SCI-Arc? 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 SCI-Arc ($16,538 vs. $28,985).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern California Institute of Architecture are 42.7% lower than at University of California Berkeley ($13,600 vs. $23,750).
• Southern California Institute of Architecture is 243.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Berkeley (about $39,815 more per year; $56,162.00 vs. $16,347.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.1% higher at SCI-Arc than at University of California Berkeley (about $5,615 more per year; $56,162.00 vs. $50,547.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Berkeley than at Southern California Institute of Architecture (53% vs. 26%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern California Institute of Architecture students is 44% larger than aid received by University of California Berkeley students ($42,627 vs. $29,608).

UC Berkeley vs. SCI-Arc Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC Berkeley or SCI-Arc? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between SCI-Arc and UC Berkeley.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of California Berkeley (1420) is 290 points higher than at SCI-Arc (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of California Berkeley 1310/1530; Southern California Institute of Architecture 1020/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of California Berkeley 30/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Berkeley - Test-free; SCI-Arc - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Berkeley Nov 30, 2026; SCI-Arc Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman UC Berkeley students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at SCI-Arc (3.5).
• SCI-Arc has a higher acceptance rate (76.6%) than UC Berkeley (11%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46% at UC Berkeley vs. 7% at SCI-Arc.

UC Berkeley vs. SCI-Arc Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Berkeley and SCI-Arc? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• University of California Berkeley's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than Southern California Institute of Architecture's (58%).
• Graduates from University of California Berkeley earn a median of about $28,300 more per year than SCI-Arc graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,700 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Berkeley graduates have a $28,550 lower median loan debt than SCI-Arc graduates ($14,200 vs. $42,750).
• Among borrowers, UC Berkeley graduates have an estimated $296 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCI-Arc graduates ($146 vs. $442).
• More UC Berkeley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCI-Arc students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 62%)

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.