The flagship of the University of California system, Berkeley is a top public research university with strengths across the sciences, engineering, and social sciences. It has a storied history of activism and Nobel laureates.
More selective than ~70% and ranked better than ~95% of the 172 schools in our directory.
Student Pop.
45,000
Faculty Ratio
19:1
Avg. Class Size
30
Financial Aid
45%
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Request Info sendCompare SchoolsUniversity of California, Berkeley admits approximately 11% of applicants, making it "Highly Selective" in our directory.
Tuition is approximately 44,115 USD per year before aid. See the Tuition tab for a full cost-of-attendance breakdown.
Yes — University of California, Berkeley offers Regents' Scholarship, Cal Grant, and about 45% of students receive some form of financial aid.
The application deadline is Nov 30. We recommend submitting all materials at least two weeks ahead of that date.
University of California, Berkeley offers 5 broad fields of study: Computer Science, Engineering, Business, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences.
The average class size is 30 students, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 19:1, across a large campus of about 45,000 students.
🇺🇸 Berkeley, CA, United States · USA
#11
Global Ranking
Detailed admissions profile compiled by UniPath on June 24, 2026. Figures are directory estimates intended for planning purposes — always confirm exact requirements and costs with the official admissions office at https://www.berkeley.edu.
| Established | 1868 |
| Student Population | 45,000 |
| Faculty Ratio | 19:1 |
| Average Class Size | 30 |
| Acceptance Rate | 11% |
| Annual Tuition | $44,115 |
| Financial Aid Recipients | 45% |
| Application Deadline | Nov 30 |
| Website | https://www.berkeley.edu |
The flagship of the University of California system, Berkeley is a top public research university with strengths across the sciences, engineering, and social sciences. It has a storied history of activism and Nobel laureates.
Tags: Public · Research · STEM
With only 11% of applicants admitted, every part of the application needs to be deliberate — academics, essays, and activities all carry weight.
This school is more selective than approximately 70% of schools in our directory, ranks better than 95% of them, and is more affordable than 18% (out of 172 schools compared).
Typical requirements:
Test-optional, but admitted students who submit scores typically land in the 90th percentile or above.
| Tuition | $44,115 |
| Housing & Living | $15,440 |
| Books & Supplies | $1,765 |
| Personal Expenses | $3,529 |
| Total Cost of Attendance | $64,849 |
| Est. Average Grant / Aid | - $11,911 |
| Est. Net Price | $32,204 |
| 4-Year Total (before aid) | $259,396 |
Estimates for international students; actual aid varies by applicant profile.
Computer Science — $95,000 avg. starting salary
Common careers: Software Engineer, Machine Learning Engineer, Security Analyst, Data Scientist
Engineering — $72,000 avg. starting salary
Common careers: Design Engineer, Project Manager, R&D Specialist, Systems Engineer
Business — $65,000 avg. starting salary
Common careers: Financial Analyst, Marketing Manager, Management Consultant, Entrepreneur
Natural Sciences — $58,000 avg. starting salary
Common careers: Research Scientist, Lab Manager, Biotech Specialist, Environmental Consultant
Social Sciences — $54,000 avg. starting salary
Common careers: Policy Analyst, Economist, Counselor, HR Specialist
A vibrant, politically engaged campus beside a lively college town in the Bay Area.
| School | Rank | Tuition | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| California Institute of Technology | #10 | $60,864 | 3% |
| University of Pennsylvania | #15 | $63,000 | 6% |
| Yale University | #16 | $64,700 | 4.6% |
What is the acceptance rate at University of California, Berkeley?
University of California, Berkeley admits approximately 11% of applicants, making it "Highly Selective" in our directory.
How much does University of California, Berkeley cost per year?
Tuition is approximately 44,115 USD per year before aid. See the Tuition tab for a full cost-of-attendance breakdown.
Does University of California, Berkeley offer scholarships or financial aid?
Yes — University of California, Berkeley offers Regents' Scholarship, Cal Grant, and about 45% of students receive some form of financial aid.
When is the application deadline for University of California, Berkeley?
The application deadline is Nov 30. We recommend submitting all materials at least two weeks ahead of that date.
What can I study at University of California, Berkeley?
University of California, Berkeley offers 5 broad fields of study: Computer Science, Engineering, Business, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences.
How big are classes at University of California, Berkeley?
The average class size is 30 students, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 19:1, across a large campus of about 45,000 students.