University of California-Berkeley vs University of California-Los Angeles
University of California-Berkeley is a public university in Berkeley, CA. University of California-Los Angeles is a public university in Los Angeles, CA. University of California-Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants and University of California-Berkeley about 11%, making University of California-Los Angeles the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $12,548 a year at University of California-Los Angeles after aid, and about $13,481 at University of California-Berkeley. About 93% of students graduate at both. Ten years after enrolling, University of California-Berkeley alumni earn a median of about $92,446, against $82,511 for University of California-Los Angeles.
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At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
Berkeley, CA
Los Angeles, CA
Setting
Urban
Urban
Undergraduates
33,068
33,475
Acceptance rate
11%
9%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.5–4
3.51–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1310–1530
1300–1530
ACT (middle 50%)
30–35
29–35
Test policy
Test blind
Test blind
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$13,481
$12,548
Full cost / yr
$45,619
$38,614
In-state tuition
$16,347
$15,203
Out-of-state tuition
$50,547
$49,403
Application fee
$80
$80
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$5,311
$5,579
$30k - $48k
$6,501
$6,682
$48k - $75k
$9,693
$9,811
$75k - $110k
$15,074
$14,142
Over $110k
$34,529
$29,682
Outcomes
Graduation rate
93%
93%
Freshman retention
97%
97%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$74,919
$59,063
Median earnings (10 yr)
$92,446
$82,511
Median debt at graduation
$13,000
$14,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
29%
28%
First-generation students
35%
38%
International students
10%
8%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Nov 30
Nov 30
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 University of California-Los Angeles harder to get into?
- University of California-Los Angeles is harder to get into. It admits about 9% 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 University of California-Los Angeles?
- University of California-Los Angeles is cheaper on average. Students pay about $12,548 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $13,481 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.
- What is the full cost of attendance at University of California-Berkeley and University of California-Los Angeles?
- Before aid, University of California-Los Angeles costs about $38,614 a year and University of California-Berkeley about $45,619. 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 University of California-Los Angeles?
- University of California-Berkeley. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $5,311 there, against about $5,579 at University of California-Los Angeles. 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 University of California-Los Angeles?
- University of California-Los Angeles is the larger of the two, with about 33,475 undergraduates against 33,068 at University of California-Berkeley.
- Does University of California-Berkeley or University of California-Los Angeles have a better graduation rate?
- Both graduate about 93% of their students.
- Do graduates of University of California-Berkeley or University of California-Los Angeles earn more?
- University of California-Berkeley alumni earn more on average: a median of about $92,446 ten years after enrolling, against about $82,511 for University of California-Los Angeles. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do University of California-Berkeley and University of California-Los Angeles require SAT or ACT scores?
- University of California-Berkeley is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. University of California-Los Angeles is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all.
- What SAT scores do University of California-Berkeley and University of California-Los Angeles look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1310–1530 at University of California-Berkeley and 1300–1530 at University of California-Los Angeles. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
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Which of these is the better fit for you?
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