UC Berkeley vs. UVA

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Berkeley in Berkeley, CA with University of Virginia Main Campus in Charlottesville, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California Berkeley is larger than UVA based on total student enrollment (45,882 students vs. 26,409 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Berkeley is located in Berkeley, CA (Midsize City setting); University of Virginia Main Campus is in Charlottesville, VA (Small City setting).
• University of California Berkeley is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Virginia Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Berkeley 18:1; University of Virginia Main Campus 15:1.

UC Berkeley vs. UVA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Berkeley or UVA? 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 UVA ($16,538 vs. $18,427).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Virginia Main Campus are 37.7% lower than at University of California Berkeley ($14,800 vs. $23,750).
• University of Virginia Main Campus is 33.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Berkeley (about $5,456 more per year; $21,803.00 vs. $16,347.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.7% higher at UVA than at University of California Berkeley (about $8,965 more per year; $59,512.00 vs. $50,547.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Berkeley than at University of Virginia Main Campus (53% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Berkeley students is 3.1% larger than aid received by University of Virginia Main Campus students ($29,608 vs. $28,715).

UC Berkeley vs. UVA Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Virginia Main Campus (1480) is 60 points higher than at UC Berkeley (1420).
• Incoming UVA students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 32 at UC Berkeley).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Berkeley 1310/1530; University of Virginia Main Campus 1410/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Berkeley 30/35; University of Virginia Main Campus 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Berkeley - Test-free; UVA - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Berkeley Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Berkeley students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at UVA (3.85).
• UVA has a higher acceptance rate (16.8%) than UC Berkeley (11%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46% at UC Berkeley vs. 40% at UVA.

UC Berkeley vs. UVA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Berkeley and UVA? 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 Virginia Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than University of California Berkeley's (90%).
• Graduates from University of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of about $2,500 more per year than UC Berkeley graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $74,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Berkeley graduates have a $5,300 lower median loan debt than UVA graduates ($14,200 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, UC Berkeley graduates have an estimated $55 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UVA graduates ($146 vs. $201).
• More UVA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC Berkeley students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.