UC Berkeley vs. Westmont College

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Berkeley is larger than Westmont College based on total student enrollment (45,882 students vs. 1,310 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Berkeley is located in Berkeley, CA (Midsize City setting); Westmont College is in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• University of California Berkeley is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Westmont College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Berkeley 18:1; Westmont College 10:1.

UC Berkeley vs. Westmont College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Berkeley or Westmont College? 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 Westmont College ($16,538 vs. $32,172).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Westmont College are 28.6% lower than at University of California Berkeley ($16,960 vs. $23,750).
• Westmont College is 227.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Berkeley (about $37,237 more per year; $53,584.00 vs. $16,347.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6% higher at Westmont College than at University of California Berkeley (about $3,037 more per year; $53,584.00 vs. $50,547.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Westmont College than at University of California Berkeley (100% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Westmont College students is 31.6% larger than aid received by University of California Berkeley students ($38,956 vs. $29,608).

UC Berkeley vs. Westmont College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Berkeley (1420) is 70 points higher than at Westmont College (1350).
• Incoming UC Berkeley students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 28 at Westmont College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Berkeley 1310/1530; Westmont College 1240/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Berkeley 30/35; Westmont College 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Berkeley - Test-free; Westmont College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Berkeley Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Berkeley students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Westmont College (3.59).
• Westmont College has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than UC Berkeley (11%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46% at UC Berkeley vs. 15.9% at Westmont College.

UC Berkeley vs. Westmont College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Berkeley and Westmont College? 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 Westmont College's (77%).
• Graduates from University of California Berkeley earn a median of about $20,100 more per year than Westmont College graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,700 vs. $54,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Berkeley graduates have a $10,923 lower median loan debt than Westmont College graduates ($14,200 vs. $25,123).
• Among borrowers, UC Berkeley graduates have an estimated $113 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Westmont College graduates ($146 vs. $259).
• More Westmont College 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.