UC Berkeley vs UCI: cost, admissions and outcomes compared
Verified federal figures for University of California-Berkeley and University of California-Irvine, side by side. Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.
UC Berkeley vs UCI at a glance
UC Berkeley admits 11% of applicants and UCI 28.6% (CollegesRef 2026–27 edition). The average net price after grants is $14,538 at UC Berkeley and $13,866 at UCI. Six-year graduation rates are 93.7% and 86.6%, respectively.
Source: U.S. Department of Education IPEDS and College Scorecard, reporting years 2025
What the data shows
Key differences
- UC Berkeley admits 11% of applicants and UCI 28.6%, so UC Berkeley is the more selective.
- The average net price after grants is $14,538 a year at UC Berkeley and $13,866 at UCI; UCI costs $672 less a year.
- For families earning up to $30,000, the net price is $5,110 at UC Berkeley and $6,160 at UCI.
- 93.7% of students graduate within six years at UC Berkeley, against 86.6% at UCI.
- Median earnings ten years after entry are $100,212 for UC Berkeley and $83,432 for UCI; UC Berkeley is $16,780 higher.
- Graduates leave with median federal debt of $12,416 at UC Berkeley and $12,821 at UCI.
- UC Berkeley enrolls 33,068 students (midsize city) and UCI 30,197 (large city).
Side by side
UC Berkeley and UCI in numbers
The stronger figure in each cost and outcome row is in bold. Net price is what students who receive aid pay after grants; your own price depends on family income.
| Measure | UC Berkeley | UCI |
|---|---|---|
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance rate | 11% | 28.6% |
| Applicants | 112,843 | 107,950 |
| Cost | ||
| Average net price (after grants) | $14,538 | $13,866 |
| Tuition, in state | $17,198 | $16,235 |
| Tuition, out of state | $54,800 | $53,837 |
| Cost of attendance | $47,842 | $39,170 |
| Net price by family income | ||
| Family income up to $30,000 | $5,110 | $6,160 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $5,391 | $6,609 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $9,606 | $9,897 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $16,064 | $14,658 |
| Over $110,000 | $37,451 | $30,831 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Graduation rate (six years) | 93.7% | 86.6% |
| First-year retention | 96.8% | 94.1% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $100,212 | $83,432 |
| Median federal debt at graduation | $12,416 | $12,821 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $141 | $146 |
| Size and setting | ||
| Total students | 33,068 | 30,197 |
| Type | Public | Public |
| Setting | City: Midsize | City: Large |
| Location | Berkeley, CA | Irvine, CA |
Source: U.S. Department of Education IPEDS and College Scorecard, reporting years 2025. Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.
Bachelor's programs both offer
UC Berkeley reports 80 bachelor's programs and UCI 72; 48 are offered at both. The largest shared programs:
Questions about UC Berkeley vs UCI
Every answer uses the figures in the table above.
Is it harder to get into UC Berkeley or UCI?
UC Berkeley is harder to get into by acceptance rate: UC Berkeley admits 11% of applicants and UCI admits 28.6%.
Which is cheaper, UC Berkeley or UCI?
UCI has the lower average net price after grants: $14,538 a year at UC Berkeley against $13,866 at UCI. For families earning up to $30,000 it is $5,110 and $6,160. Your own price depends on family income and aid.
Do UC Berkeley or UCI graduates earn more?
UC Berkeley graduates earn more at the median: $100,212 ten years after entry for UC Berkeley and $83,432 for UCI. Median federal debt at graduation is $12,416 and $12,821.
Which has a higher graduation rate, UC Berkeley or UCI?
UC Berkeley does: 93.7% of UC Berkeley students graduate within six years, against 86.6% at UCI.
How big are UC Berkeley and UCI?
UC Berkeley has 33,068 students in Berkeley, CA and UCI has 30,197 students in Irvine, CA.