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University of California System

University of California - Berkeley

#6 in Top Public Universities in America
  • A+
    Overall Grade
  • 4 Year
  • Berkeley, CA
  • 3,911 reviews
    A+
    Overall Niche Grade
    How are grades calculated?
    1. Academics
      A+
    2. Value
      A+
    3. Diversity
      A+
    4. Campus
      B
    5. Athletics
      A
    6. Party Scene
      A
    7. Professors
      A+
    8. Location
      A+
    9. Dorms
      D+
    10. Campus Food
      B
    11. Student Life
      A+
    12. Safety
      C-
    View Full Report Card
    UC Berkeley is a highly rated public university located in Berkeley, California in the San Francisco Bay Area. It is a large institution with an enrollment of 29,351 undergraduate students. Admissions is competitive as the UC Berkeley acceptance rate is 17%. Popular majors include Economics, Cellular Biology, and Computer Science. Graduating 91% of students, UC Berkeley alumni go on to earn a starting salary of $48,700.
    About University of California - Berkeley...
    Athletic Division
    NCAA Division I-FBS
    Athletic Conference
    Pacific-12 Conference
    Address
    200 California Hall
    Berkeley, CA 94720
    Branch of
    University of California System
    Website
    berkeley.edu
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    University of California - Berkeley Rankings

    Niche rankings are based on rigorous analysis of key statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and millions of reviews.

    Admissions

    Acceptance Rate
    17%
    Application Deadline
    November 30
    SAT Range
    1260-1480
    ACT Range
    30-34
    Application Fee
    $70
    SAT/ACT
    Required
    High School GPA
    Required
    Early Decision/Early Action
    No

    Test Prep

    SAT and ACT Prep Options
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    Cost

    Net Price
    $18,178/ year
    National
    $15,523
    Average cost after financial aid for students receiving grant or scholarship aid, as reported by the college.
    Average Total Aid Awarded
    $18,319/ year
    National
    $7,535
    Students Receiving Financial Aid
    60%

    Academics

    Professors
    A+
    Based on faculty accomplishments, salary, student reviews, and additional factors.
    Student Faculty Ratio
    18:1
    Evening Degree Programs
    No
    70%
    of students agree that professors put a lot of effort into teaching their classes.227 responses
    39%
    of students agree that it is easy to get the classes they want.251 responses
    37%
    of students agree that the workload is easy to manage.251 responses
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    Majors

    Most Popular Majors
    • Economics
      615 Graduates
    • Cellular Biology
      571 Graduates
    • Computer Science
      556 Graduates
    • Electrical Engineering
      393 Graduates
    • Business
      389 Graduates
    • Political Science and Government
      366 Graduates
    • Psychology
      350 Graduates
    • Biology
      299 Graduates
    • Environmental Science
      297 Graduates
    • Social Sciences
      269 Graduates

    Students

    Full-Time Enrollment
    29,351Undergrads
    Part-Time Undergrads
    1,223
    Undergrads Over 25
    5%
    Pell Grant
    19%
    Varsity Athletes
    3%
    Poll
    What one word or phrase best describes the typical student at this school?
    Based on 163 responses
    Report
    • Competitive and hardworking
      31%
    • Motivated, driven
      18%
    • Dedicated and exceptionally intelligent
      17%
    • Motivated, hardworking, intelligent and amazing!!!
      15%
    • Motivated but know how to have fun
      9%
    • Motivated, Quirky, Intelligent
      4%
    • They are some characters
      2%

    Campus Life

    Freshmen Live On-Campus
    —
    Poll
    62%
    of students say that Greek life is average, and no one will treat you differently if you don't join.306 responses
    Poll
    59%
    of students say varsity sports are a big part of campus life.364 responses
    Poll
    What one word or phrase best describes your school?
    Based on 167 responses
    Report
    • Diverse, liberal, crazy, and intelligent
      31%
    • Diverse and liberal
      15%
    • Inclusive and intelligent
      12%
    • Competitive, awe- inspiring, + challenging
      10%
    • AMAZING
      9%
    • Competitive, liberal, and difficult
      8%
    • Competative and liberal
      6%

    After College

    Median Earnings 6 Years After Graduation
    $64,700/ year
    National
    $33,028
    Graduation Rate
    91%
    National
    49%
    Employed 2 Years After Graduation
    88%
    National
    83%
    68%
    of students feel confident they will find a job in their field after graduation.154 responses
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    University of California - Berkeley Reviews

    3,911 reviews
    All Categories
    Overall my experience at UC Berkeley has been an amazing experience! The campus is beautiful and in an area that makes both San Francisco city life and nearby nature super accessible. The academics are extremely difficult but some of the best in the world, and the incredibly talented student body combined with the faculty means you're always surrounded by bright minds and top professionals across many fields. However, it is a large public school and if you don't find smaller cohorts within the university it can sometimes feel like you're drowning or just a number.
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    UC Berkeley provides outstanding environment for students to achieve and conquer their academic and career goals. Many people think of Cal as a cut-throat school but on the contrary, the amount of peer support I encountered within this school is amazing. Students in Cal uplift each other because studying here is hard but the products of that studying open doors to many career opportunities. At times it may feel overwhelming to find own place in such a big school, but Cal has plenty college resources for every kind of person. Go Bears!
    I know many people like to complain about the competitive atmosphere at Cal, and there are times when it gets to me too, but I also try to remind myself what a great opportunity it is that I get to go to a school where the professors have written our textbooks and where I really do learn something new every day. On top of that the social experience is what you make of it, if you don't try to get involved then you won't be involved, but there are thousands of clubs and activities on campus so there's no excuse in not finding something that interests you! The experience is what you make it! It's either sink or swim, and you've got the resources available to learn to swim!