CAMPUS · BERKELEY, CA · PUBLIC

UC Berkeley Acceptance Rate

University of California-Berkeley

11.7%

Why this page exists. I'm a parent who went through college admissions with my own kids, and I got tired of glossy brochures and sticker prices that mean nothing. For UC Berkeley, the gap is real: a $45,619 published sticker, but families actually pay about $14,222/yr after aid. Every number on this page comes straight from federal data (IPEDS & College Scorecard) — the real net price, what graduates actually earn, and your honest odds. No rankings theater, no marketing spin.

FIT

REACH

UC Berkeley is a reach for most applicants.

Score reflects acceptance odds × cost × outcome quality.

ACCEPTANCE

11.7%

of 125,910 applicants

SALARY · 10-YR

$92,446

across all majors

UC Berkeley at a Glance

48,230

Total Enrollment

$13,000

Median Debt

27.0%

Pell Grant Rate

UC Berkeley Rankings

Ranking	2025	Year
US News National Universities	#20	2025
QS World University Rankings	#12	2025
THE World University Rankings	#8	2025
ARWU (Shanghai)	#5	2024
US News Best Public Universities	#1	2025

Show 10-Year US News Ranking History

US News National Universities
2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025
#20	#20	#21	#22	#22	#22	#22	#20	#15	#20

US News National Universities: #20 (2016) → #20 (2025) — unchanged

UC Berkeley Admissions Overview

University of California-Berkeley is a public university in Berkeley, CA with 48,230 students. Its 11.7% acceptance rate places it among America's most selective universities. The most popular majors are Social Sciences, Computer Science, and Engineering.

Full Name	University of California-Berkeley
Location	Berkeley, CA 94720
Type	Public
Website	berkeley.edu/
Total Enrollment	48,230
Undergrad Enrollment	34,306
Female Students	55.4%

Is UC Berkeley a Reach, Match, or Safety?

With an acceptance rate of 11.7%, UC Berkeley is a Reach for most applicants. You'll need a standout application — strong GPA, meaningful extracurriculars, and compelling essays — to have realistic odds here.

Your Profile	UC Berkeley Is...	What to Do
Above-average GPA + strong application	Match	Apply — worth the effort
Average GPA, some strengths	Reach	Apply, but have 2-3 backup schools
Below-average GPA	Hard Reach	Consider similar schools with higher acceptance rates

UC Berkeley True Cost by Family Income

27% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating UC Berkeley enrolls a meaningful share of lower-income students.

Family Income	Annual Net Price	4-Year Total
$0-30k	$5,311	$21,244
$30-48k	$6,501	$26,004
$48-75k	$9,693	$38,772
$75-110k	$15,074	$60,296
$110k+	$34,529	$138,116

Cost Breakdown

Room & Board	$22,692
Total Cost of Attendance	$45,619

Want to see how UC Berkeley stacks up? Compare college costs side by side and check the college rankings by net price and salary outcomes.

Popular Majors at UC Berkeley

The most popular fields of study, ranked by the number of degrees awarded.

Social Sciences

18.2%

Computer Science

16.4%

Engineering

11.0%

Biological Sciences

9.5%

Multidisciplinary

5.0%

Best Majors at UC Berkeley →

{sn} Student Demographics

White

20.2%

Black/African American

2.1%

Hispanic/Latino

20.6%

Asian

34.7%

International

12.9%

How to Get Into UC Berkeley

UC Berkeley is a Reach school for nearly all applicants. Beyond grades and scores, UC Berkeley wants to see intellectual curiosity, leadership, and a clear sense of purpose in your application. Have 2-3 realistic backup schools — even perfect-on-paper students get denied here.

11.7%

Acceptance Rate

125,910

Total Applicants

What UC Berkeley Values Most in Applicants

Admission factor importance from the Common Data Set — what the school officially says matters.

Factor	Importance
Academic Gpa	Very Important
Rigor Of Secondary School Record	Very Important
Class Rank	Considered
Standardized Test Scores	Considered
Application Essay	Very Important
Recommendation	Not Considered
Extracurricular Activities	Very Important
Talent Ability	Very Important
Character Personal Qualities	Very Important
First Generation	Important
Alumni Relation	Not Considered
Interview	Not Considered
Work Experience	Important
Volunteer Work	Important

Want to know your odds? Use the college admissions calculator to see your chances at UC Berkeley by GPA and SAT/ACT — or calculate your college GPA first to check where you stand.

UC Berkeley Application Deadlines & Requirements

Key dates for the UC Berkeley UC admission cycle. Mark these on your calendar — missing a deadline means waiting another year.

Deadline	Date
Regular Decision	Nov 30
Financial Aid (FAFSA/CSS)	Mar 2

UC System: All University of California campuses share the same application deadline. Submit one UC Application for all UC schools.

See UC Berkeley alongside every school in our full college application deadlines calendar for 2026–2027.

{sn} Financial Aid & Student Debt

27.0%

Pell Grant Recipients

Students from low-income families

$13,000

Median Debt at Graduation

Federal loans only

$74,919

Median Earnings (6yr)

6 years after enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions About UC Berkeley

What is UC Berkeley's acceptance rate?

UC Berkeley has an acceptance rate of 11.7%, making it extremely selective. This rate reflects freshman applicants for the most recent admissions cycle.

What are the most popular majors at UC Berkeley?

The most popular majors at UC Berkeley by degrees awarded are: Social Sciences (18.2%), Computer Science (16.4%), Engineering (11.0%), Biological Sciences (9.5%), Multidisciplinary (5.0%). These percentages reflect undergraduate degrees conferred in the most recent reporting year.

Can I transfer to UC Berkeley?

UC Berkeley accepts transfer students, though the process is highly selective. Transfer applicants typically need a strong college GPA (3.5+), relevant coursework, and compelling reasons for transferring. The transfer acceptance rate is generally lower than freshman admission at selective schools.