UC Berkeley vs. UCSD

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Berkeley is larger than UCSD based on total student enrollment (45,882 students vs. 44,256 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Berkeley is located in Berkeley, CA (Midsize City setting); University of California San Diego is in La Jolla, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California Berkeley is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California San Diego is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Berkeley 18:1; University of California San Diego 19:1.

UC Berkeley vs. UCSD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Berkeley or UCSD? 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 San Diego than UC Berkeley ($14,047 vs. $16,538).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California San Diego are 20.1% lower than at University of California Berkeley ($18,970 vs. $23,750).
• University of California San Diego is 2.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Berkeley (about $411 more per year; $16,758.00 vs. $16,347.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.8% higher at UCSD than at University of California Berkeley (about $411 more per year; $50,958.00 vs. $50,547.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California San Diego than at University of California Berkeley (59% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Berkeley students is 15% larger than aid received by University of California San Diego students ($29,608 vs. $25,757).

UC Berkeley vs. UCSD Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Berkeley (1420) is 40 points higher than at UCSD (1380).
• Incoming UC Berkeley students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at UCSD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Berkeley 1310/1530; University of California San Diego 1270/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Berkeley 30/35; University of California San Diego 28/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Berkeley - Test-free; UCSD - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Berkeley Nov 30, 2026; UCSD Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Berkeley students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at UCSD (3.82).
• UCSD has a higher acceptance rate (26.7%) than UC Berkeley (11%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46% at UC Berkeley vs. 20.4% at UCSD.

UC Berkeley vs. UCSD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Berkeley and UCSD? 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 University of California San Diego's (85%).
• Graduates from University of California Berkeley earn a median of about $6,800 more per year than UCSD graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,700 vs. $67,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Berkeley graduates have a $4,300 lower median loan debt than UCSD graduates ($14,200 vs. $18,500).
• Among borrowers, UC Berkeley graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCSD graduates ($146 vs. $191).
• More UCSD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC Berkeley students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.