University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA
11.6%
Acceptance Rate
$15,602
Avg Cost (In-State)
$46,326
Avg Cost (Out-of-State)
93%
Graduation Rate
45,307
Total Enrollment
Popular programs
Application requirements
Regular Deadline
November 30
Common App
No
Test Policy
Test Free
Essays Required
4
Letters of Rec
0
Application Fee
$80
Interview
Not required
Essays: 4 out of 8 Personal Insight Questions, 350 words each
Note: Uses UC Application system only; A-G course requirements must be met; no letters of recommendation accepted in standard application
Requirements are AI-generated from public data and may change. Always verify directly with the college.
Getting there
Earnings by major
Median earnings 1 year after graduation, by bachelor's program. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard FieldOfStudy data.
| Program | Median earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Political Science and Government. | $45,418 | $75,128 | 379 |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences. | $43,270 | $66,577 | 368 |
| Computer Science. | $149,866 | $204,379 | 318 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research. | $47,338 | $78,624 | 273 |
| Sociology. | $40,774 | $71,363 | 269 |
| Economics. | $80,446 | $135,050 | 218 |
| Cognitive Science. | $64,559 | $120,193 | 215 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | $43,696 | $75,612 | 213 |
Tracked through federal tax records. Programs with fewer than 30 graduates with reported earnings are privacy-suppressed. 4-year figure tracks the same cohort 3 years later.
What current students say
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Personalized cost estimate based on your family's finances and academic profile
Calculate Your Cost at University of California, Berkeley
Get a personalized estimate of what you'd pay to attend University of California, Berkeley
Tactics that apply here
Things you can do that most families don't know about.
California Eligibility in the Local Context (ELC) — UC
~$25k valueCalifornia's top 9% by their own high school's UC GPA distribution are guaranteed admission to at least one UC campus (not necessarily their first choice).
Who it helps: California residents in the top 9% of their high school class by weighted UC GPA, especially those at less-selective high schools.
How to use: Apply to UC via the system-wide application by November 30. UC determines ELC eligibility automatically from your transcripts.
Source ↗Early Action priority deadlines unlock the biggest merit pools
~$15k valueAt many public universities, applying by the EA deadline (Nov 1) instead of regular (Feb 1) decides whether you're considered for the top merit awards.
Who it helps: Students with their applications ready by November of senior year, especially those targeting merit-rich publics.
How to use: List each target school's EA deadline (commonly Nov 1, sometimes Oct 15 or Dec 1). Submit complete applications + test scores by then. Confirm merit-scholarship deadlines separately — some require a different priority date or supplemental essay.
Source ↗Cal Grant
~$14k valueCalifornia's main need-based aid: covers full tuition at UC, CSU, or community college for in-state residents who meet GPA + income thresholds.
Who it helps: California residents attending UC, CSU, or qualifying private/community colleges, with family income under the published Cal Grant cap.
How to use: File FAFSA (or CADAA for undocumented students) by March 2. Confirm your school submits the GPA Verification Form. Award notification by April 30.
Source ↗File FAFSA the day it opens
~$5k valueMost schools award state and institutional aid first-come-first-served from a fixed pool. Filing FAFSA in October beats filing in February by thousands.
Who it helps: Every student applying for need-based aid, but especially families relying on state grants or institutional aid.
How to use: Set a calendar reminder for the FAFSA opening date (currently Oct 1 most years; Dec 1 in the 2024-25 transition year). Use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to auto-fill tax info. Submit even if you have to estimate; corrections are easy.
Source ↗CSS Profile is required by 200+ private schools — separate from FAFSA
Most selective private colleges use the CSS Profile in addition to FAFSA. It costs $25 + $16/school and reaches deeper into family finances than FAFSA does.
Who it helps: Any student applying to a private 4-year with significant institutional aid needs.
How to use: Check the CSS Profile school list for each of your target colleges. Open the app at cssprofile.collegeboard.org as soon as it opens (early Oct). Submit ahead of each school's earliest priority date — often before the FAFSA deadline.
Source ↗Scholarships
Scholarships you may qualify for.
Cal Bears Straw Hat Band Scholarship
$500-$2,000/yr
universityAudition-based award for Cal Band (UC Berkeley) and Straw Hat Band members.
Deadline: Fall tryouts
Learn more ↗UC Berkeley Regents' and Chancellor's Scholarship
$2,500/year (renewable) + Cal Alumni Association membership + research support
universityTop ~250 Berkeley incoming freshmen via competitive process; flagship merit award.
Deadline: November 30 (UC app deadline)
Learn more ↗Cal Grant (California)
Up to $14,296/year (Cal Grant A) or $1,656/year (Cal Grant B)
stateCalifornia residents attending eligible California colleges. Based on GPA and financial need via FAFSA/CADAA.
Deadline: March 2
Learn more ↗Cal Poly SLO President's Honors Scholarship
$5,000-$10,000/year
universityTop Cal Poly SLO Honors College freshmen with academic merit.
Deadline: November 30
Learn more ↗San Jose State Honors Scholarship
$2,000-$6,000/year
universityTop SJSU Honors College admits with academic record + leadership.
Deadline: December 1
Learn more ↗CA Law Enforcement Personnel Dependents Grant
Up to $14,000/year
stateChildren/spouses of CA peace officers, firefighters, or correctional officers killed in line of duty.
Deadline: FAFSA/CADAA
Learn more ↗San Diego State Presidential Scholarship
Full cost of attendance for 4 years
universityTop SDSU freshmen via competitive process; combines academics + leadership.
Deadline: November 30
Learn more ↗CA Child Development Permit Stipend
Up to $2,000-$3,000/year
stateCA students pursuing early childhood education with commitment to teaching service.
Deadline: Through institution
Learn more ↗PG&E Better Together Scholarship
Up to $4,000 (45+ awards)
stateNorthern + Central CA students pursuing STEM, vocational tech, or business in PG&E service territory.
Deadline: Mid-February
Learn more ↗Net price by income
What it actually costs your family.
Average net price (tuition, fees, room/board minus grant aid) by household income tier, AY 2023–24. Source: IPEDS NPRC1.
| Household income | Average net price / year |
|---|---|
| $0 – $30,000 | $5,311 |
| $30,001 – $48,000 | $6,501 |
| $48,001 – $75,000 | $9,693 |
| $75,001 – $110,000 | $15,074 |
| $110,001+ | $34,529 |
Cost calculator
See the full income-tier cost breakdown for University of California, Berkeley →
Type your household income and get a per-family estimate, plus % off sticker and a methodology breakdown.
Round-by-round
Acceptance rates by application round.
The single overall 11.6% rate hides a 2–4x gap between ED and RD at most selective schools. Class of 2027 cycle.
Regular Decision
11%
acceptance
UC application; overall ~11.6%.
Source ↗Class profile
Who actually goes here.
From the most recent Common Data Set and IPEDS.
25.0%
% Pell-eligible
Federal Pell grant recipients
26.0%
% first-generation
First in family to attend college
84.0%
% in-state
Residents of the college's home state
19.0%
% URM
Black, Hispanic/Latino, Native combined
44.0%
Yield rate
Share of admitted students who enroll
97.0%
1st-to-2nd year retention
Freshmen who return as sophomores
94.0%
6-year grad rate
Graduate within 150% normal time
Demonstrated interest
Not considered
Visits, info sessions and opening emails don't move the needle here.
Peer colleges
Similar colleges to consider.
Similar selectivity
University of California-Berkeley
Berkeley, CA
11% acceptance
Both admit around 11% of applicants, with 33k undergrads and a u campus — a close selectivity match.
New York University
New York, NY
9.2% acceptance
Both admit around 9% of applicants, with 29k undergrads and a u campus — a close selectivity match.
University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
9% acceptance
Both admit around 9% of applicants, with 33k undergrads and a u campus — a close selectivity match.
Cheaper alternatives
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
Tallahassee, FL
20.6% acceptance
Similar selectivity (21% vs 12%) but out-of-state cost runs $18k — meaningfully less than $46k.
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Atlanta, GA
14.1% acceptance
Similar selectivity (14% vs 12%) but out-of-state cost runs $34k — meaningfully less than $46k.
Safer alternatives
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA
36.2% acceptance
Same u setting in the West, but higher admit rate (36% vs 12%) — a likelier admit with a similar feel.
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA
39.2% acceptance
Same u setting in the West, but higher admit rate (39% vs 12%) — a likelier admit with a similar feel.
California State University-Long Beach
Long Beach, CA
46.3% acceptance
Same u setting in the West, but higher admit rate (46% vs 12%) — a likelier admit with a similar feel.
Transfer pathways
Routes in from a community college.
From CA community colleges
articulation onlyBerkeley is one of the most transfer-friendly elite public universities. About 25% of incoming undergrads are transfers, mostly from California community colleges. Berkeley participates in TAP (Transfer Alliance Project). Transfer deadline is November 30 (UC application). Minimum…
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