University of California-Berkeley vs University of California-Santa Cruz
University of California-Berkeley is a public university in Berkeley, CA. University of California-Santa Cruz is a public university in Santa Cruz, CA. University of California-Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants and University of California-Santa Cruz about 66%, making University of California-Berkeley 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 $17,890 at University of California-Santa Cruz. About 93% of students graduate at University of California-Berkeley, compared with 75% at University of California-Santa Cruz. Ten years after enrolling, University of California-Berkeley alumni earn a median of about $92,446, against $68,396 for University of California-Santa Cruz.
At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
Berkeley, CA
Santa Cruz, CA
Setting
Urban
Urban
Undergraduates
33,068
17,940
Acceptance rate
11%
66%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.5–4
3.49–3.99
SAT (middle 50%)
1310–1530
1160–1360
ACT (middle 50%)
30–35
25–33
Test policy
Test blind
Test blind
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$13,481
$17,890
Full cost / yr
$45,619
$41,179
In-state tuition
$16,347
$16,005
Out-of-state tuition
$50,547
$50,205
Application fee
$80
$80
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$5,311
$8,717
$30k - $48k
$6,501
$10,613
$48k - $75k
$9,693
$14,418
$75k - $110k
$15,074
$18,986
Over $110k
$34,529
$33,323
Outcomes
Graduation rate
93%
75%
Freshman retention
97%
88%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$74,919
$49,716
Median earnings (10 yr)
$92,446
$68,396
Median debt at graduation
$13,000
$16,666
Student body
Pell grant recipients
29%
32%
First-generation students
35%
37%
International students
10%
3%
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-Santa Cruz harder to get into?
- University of California-Berkeley is harder to get into. It admits about 11% of applicants, compared with 66% at University of California-Santa Cruz. 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-Santa Cruz?
- University of California-Berkeley is cheaper on average. Students pay about $13,481 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $17,890 at University of California-Santa Cruz. 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-Santa Cruz?
- Before aid, University of California-Santa Cruz costs about $41,179 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-Santa Cruz?
- University of California-Berkeley. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $5,311 there, against about $8,717 at University of California-Santa Cruz. 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-Santa Cruz?
- University of California-Berkeley is the larger of the two, with about 33,068 undergraduates against 17,940 at University of California-Santa Cruz.
- Does University of California-Berkeley or University of California-Santa Cruz have a better graduation rate?
- University of California-Berkeley has the higher graduation rate, at about 93% against 75% at University of California-Santa Cruz.
- Do graduates of University of California-Berkeley or University of California-Santa Cruz earn more?
- University of California-Berkeley alumni earn more on average: a median of about $92,446 ten years after enrolling, against about $68,396 for University of California-Santa Cruz. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do University of California-Berkeley and University of California-Santa Cruz 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-Santa Cruz 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-Santa Cruz look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1310–1530 at University of California-Berkeley and 1160–1360 at University of California-Santa Cruz. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
University of California-Berkeley vs University of California-Los AngelesUniversity of California-Berkeley vs University of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of California-Berkeley vs University of California-San DiegoUniversity of California-Santa Cruz vs University of California-Los AngelesUniversity of California-Santa Cruz vs University of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of California-Santa Cruz vs University of California-San Diego
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