UC Berkeley vs. USF

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Berkeley is larger than USF based on total student enrollment (45,882 students vs. 8,913 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

UC Berkeley vs. USF Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Berkeley or USF? 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 USF ($16,538 vs. $45,443).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of San Francisco are 16.8% lower than at University of California Berkeley ($19,764 vs. $23,750).
• University of San Francisco is 270% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Berkeley (about $44,145 more per year; $60,492.00 vs. $16,347.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.7% higher at USF than at University of California Berkeley (about $9,945 more per year; $60,492.00 vs. $50,547.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of San Francisco than at University of California Berkeley (95% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of San Francisco students is 17.3% larger than aid received by University of California Berkeley students ($34,723 vs. $29,608).

UC Berkeley vs. USF Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Berkeley (1420) is 130 points higher than at USF (1290).
• Incoming UC Berkeley students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 27 at USF).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Berkeley 1310/1530; University of San Francisco 1190/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Berkeley 30/35; University of San Francisco 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Berkeley - Test-free; USF - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Berkeley Nov 30, 2026; USF Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UC Berkeley students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at USF (3.57).
• USF has a higher acceptance rate (61.7%) than UC Berkeley (11%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46% at UC Berkeley vs. 6% at USF.

UC Berkeley vs. USF Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Berkeley and USF? 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 San Francisco's (70%).
• Graduates from University of California Berkeley earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than USF graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,700 vs. $70,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Berkeley graduates have a $10,800 lower median loan debt than USF graduates ($14,200 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UC Berkeley graduates have an estimated $112 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USF graduates ($146 vs. $258).
• More UC Berkeley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USF students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 73%)

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.