University of California-Berkeley vs Stanford University
University of California-Berkeley is a public university in Berkeley, CA. Stanford University is a private university in Stanford, CA. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants and University of California-Berkeley about 11%, making Stanford University the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $13,481 a year at University of California-Berkeley after aid, and about $13,807 at Stanford University. About 93% of students graduate at University of California-Berkeley, compared with 92% at Stanford University. Ten years after enrolling, Stanford University alumni earn a median of about $124,080, against $92,446 for University of California-Berkeley.
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Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.
- Is University of California-Berkeley or Stanford University harder to get into?
- Stanford University is harder to get into. It admits about 4% of applicants, compared with 11% at University of California-Berkeley. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, University of California-Berkeley or Stanford University?
- University of California-Berkeley is cheaper on average. Students pay about $13,481 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $13,807 at Stanford University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at University of California-Berkeley and Stanford University?
- Before aid, University of California-Berkeley costs about $45,619 a year and Stanford University about $87,833. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, University of California-Berkeley or Stanford University?
- Stanford University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $-2,536 there, against about $5,311 at University of California-Berkeley. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, University of California-Berkeley or Stanford University?
- University of California-Berkeley is the larger of the two, with about 33,068 undergraduates against 7,554 at Stanford University.
- Does University of California-Berkeley or Stanford University have a better graduation rate?
- University of California-Berkeley has the higher graduation rate, at about 93% against 92% at Stanford University.
- Do graduates of University of California-Berkeley or Stanford University earn more?
- Stanford University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $124,080 ten years after enrolling, against about $92,446 for University of California-Berkeley. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do University of California-Berkeley and Stanford University require SAT or ACT scores?
- University of California-Berkeley is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. Stanford University requires SAT or ACT scores.
- What SAT scores do University of California-Berkeley and Stanford University look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1310–1530 at University of California-Berkeley and 1510–1580 at Stanford University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
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