University Of California-Berkeley

University Of California-Berkeley admits approximately 11.7% of applicants, meaning roughly 1 in 9 applicants receives an offer of admission. This places UC Berkeley among the most selective public research universities in the United States and among the most selective institutions nationwide.

The peer median admission rate of 78.1% highlights the stark difference between UC Berkeley's selectivity and typical four-year institutions. Even among elite public research universities, UC Berkeley's acceptance rate falls at the lower end of the spectrum, reflecting intense national and international competition for admission.

This level of selectivity means that even exceptionally qualified students face significant uncertainty in the admission process. Many students who would thrive at UC Berkeley do not receive admission simply due to the volume of highly qualified applicants competing for limited spots.

The institution's yield rate supports this competitive environment, as admitted students frequently choose UC Berkeley over other prestigious alternatives. For this reason, students considering UC Berkeley should build comprehensive college lists that include schools with higher acceptance rates but comparable academic quality and career outcomes.

Treating UC Berkeley as a reach school regardless of qualifications represents sound application strategy, given the mathematical reality of such selective admission.

University Of California-Berkeley's published cost of attendance is $42,708 per year for California residents, including $14,850 in tuition and fees, $22,692 for room and board, and $1,273 for books and supplies. Out-of-state students face $45,627 in tuition, significantly increasing total costs.

However, the average student pays just $14,979 after financial aid, representing savings of $27,729 from the sticker price. This net price places UC Berkeley at the peer median of $15,590, making it competitively priced among similar public research universities.

The substantial difference between published costs and actual net price reflects UC Berkeley's commitment to need-based financial aid and California's investment in public higher education accessibility. Financial aid targeting helps ensure that students from diverse economic backgrounds can access UC Berkeley's exceptional academic programs and career outcomes.

The institution's strong affordability performance at the 83.3rd percentile nationally indicates effective cost management relative to outcomes delivered. Net price varies significantly by family income, ranging from $5,895 for the lowest-income students to $35,154 for highest-income families, demonstrating progressive aid allocation that concentrates support where most needed.

UC Berkeley graduates demonstrate consistent earnings growth and exceptional career outcomes across multiple time horizons. Median earnings rise from $74,919 six years after enrollment to $84,865 at eight years and $92,446 at ten years, representing 23.4% growth from the six-year mark.

These outcomes reflect data from a ten-year cohort of 5,769 graduates, providing high confidence in the reported figures. Graduates earn $19,877 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing UC Berkeley at the 94.2nd percentile for earnings uplift.

This value-added performance demonstrates the institution's effectiveness in translating educational investment into career advancement. Low-income graduates earn $75,300, indicating strong outcomes for students from diverse economic backgrounds.

The institution's exceptional rankings include top 5 national performance for median earnings and low-income earnings. Earnings span from $58,247 at the 25th percentile to $153,111 at the 75th percentile, showing meaningful variation based on program choice and career trajectory.

Approximately 27.6% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, reflecting strong preparation for both advanced education and immediate workforce entry.

UC Berkeley offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with sufficient federal earnings data for ranking, representing exceptional breadth and depth across multiple disciplines. Electrical and Electronics Engineering ranks #1 nationally and #1 in California, producing 452 graduates with median earnings of $202,911 and a perfect value score of 100.0.

Computer Science ranks #8 nationally and #3 in California, graduating 845 students with median earnings of $178,867 and a value score of 96.2. Business Administration and Management ranks #1 nationally and #1 in California, with 385 graduates earning $123,780.

Applied Mathematics ranks #2 nationally and #1 in California, graduating 326 students with median earnings of $120,626 and a value score of 96.9. Applied Economics ranks #12 nationally and #3 in California, with 751 graduates earning $106,624.

Environmental Science holds the #1 national ranking with a perfect value score of 100.0, graduating 506 students with median earnings of $72,049. Several programs achieve flagship status at the institution, reflecting UC Berkeley's national leadership across diverse academic fields.