University of California-Berkeley vs University of California-San Diego
University of California-Berkeley is a public university in Berkeley, CA. University of California-San Diego is a public university in La Jolla, CA. University of California-Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants and University of California-San Diego about 27%, making University of California-Berkeley the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $12,470 a year at University of California-San Diego after aid, and about $13,481 at University of California-Berkeley. About 93% of students graduate at University of California-Berkeley, compared with 87% at University of California-San Diego. Ten years after enrolling, University of California-Berkeley alumni earn a median of about $92,446, against $84,943 for University of California-San Diego.
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- Is University of California-Berkeley or University of California-San Diego harder to get into?
- University of California-Berkeley is harder to get into. It admits about 11% of applicants, compared with 27% at University of California-San Diego. 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-San Diego?
- University of California-San Diego is cheaper on average. Students pay about $12,470 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-San Diego?
- Before aid, University of California-San Diego costs about $38,701 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-San Diego?
- University of California-Berkeley. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $5,311 there, against about $7,525 at University of California-San Diego. 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-San Diego?
- University of California-San Diego is the larger of the two, with about 34,948 undergraduates against 33,068 at University of California-Berkeley.
- Does University of California-Berkeley or University of California-San Diego have a better graduation rate?
- University of California-Berkeley has the higher graduation rate, at about 93% against 87% at University of California-San Diego.
- Do graduates of University of California-Berkeley or University of California-San Diego earn more?
- University of California-Berkeley alumni earn more on average: a median of about $92,446 ten years after enrolling, against about $84,943 for University of California-San Diego. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do University of California-Berkeley and University of California-San Diego 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-San Diego 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-San Diego look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1310–1530 at University of California-Berkeley and 1270–1480 at University of California-San Diego. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
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