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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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University of California-Berkeley

Berkeley, CA · Public

Stanford University

Stanford, CA · Private
At a glance
Type
Public
Private
Location
Berkeley, CA
Stanford, CA
Setting
Urban
Suburban
Undergraduates
33,068
7,554
Acceptance rate
11%
4%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.5–4
3.55–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1310–1530
1510–1580
ACT (middle 50%)
30–35
34–35
Test policy
Test blind
Required
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$13,481
$13,807
Full cost / yr
$45,619
$87,833
In-state tuition
$16,347
$65,910
Out-of-state tuition
$50,547
$65,910
Application fee
$80
$90
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$5,311
$0*
$30k - $48k
$6,501
$0*
$48k - $75k
$9,693
$3,212
$75k - $110k
$15,074
$11,092
Over $110k
$34,529
$53,882
Outcomes
Graduation rate
93%
92%
Freshman retention
97%
98%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$74,919
$102,887
Median earnings (10 yr)
$92,446
$124,080
Median debt at graduation
$13,000
$12,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
29%
19%
First-generation students
35%
30%
International students
10%
13%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Nov 1
Regular decision
Nov 30
Jan 5

* Reported aid for this income range averaged above the billed cost.

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.

Frequently asked questions
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.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

These lists are a great start, but the one list that actually matters is yours. Blueprint builds it in two free steps.

1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school