UC Berkeley vs UCLA: cost, admissions and outcomes compared
Verified federal figures for University of California-Berkeley and University of California-Los Angeles, side by side. Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.
UC Berkeley vs UCLA at a glance
UC Berkeley admits 11% of applicants and UCLA 9% (CollegesRef 2026–27 edition). The average net price after grants is $14,538 at UC Berkeley and $14,659 at UCLA. Six-year graduation rates are 93.7% and 92.8%, 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 UCLA 9%, so UCLA is the more selective.
- The average net price after grants is $14,538 a year at UC Berkeley and $14,659 at UCLA; UC Berkeley costs $121 less a year.
- For families earning up to $30,000, the net price is $5,110 at UC Berkeley and $7,755 at UCLA.
- 93.7% of students graduate within six years at UC Berkeley, against 92.8% at UCLA.
- Median earnings ten years after entry are $100,212 for UC Berkeley and $88,581 for UCLA; UC Berkeley is $11,631 higher.
- Graduates leave with median federal debt of $12,416 at UC Berkeley and $13,750 at UCLA.
- UC Berkeley enrolls 33,068 students (midsize city) and UCLA 33,475 (large city).
Side by side
UC Berkeley and UCLA 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 | UCLA |
|---|---|---|
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance rate | 11% | 9% |
| Applicants | 112,843 | 139,489 |
| Cost | ||
| Average net price (after grants) | $14,538 | $14,659 |
| Tuition, in state | $17,198 | $15,729 |
| Tuition, out of state | $54,800 | $53,331 |
| Cost of attendance | $47,842 | $41,373 |
| Net price by family income | ||
| Family income up to $30,000 | $5,110 | $7,755 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $5,391 | $8,643 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $9,606 | $10,769 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $16,064 | $15,256 |
| Over $110,000 | $37,451 | $32,922 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Graduation rate (six years) | 93.7% | 92.8% |
| First-year retention | 96.8% | 97.3% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $100,212 | $88,581 |
| Median federal debt at graduation | $12,416 | $13,750 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $141 | $156 |
| Size and setting | ||
| Total students | 33,068 | 33,475 |
| Type | Public | Public |
| Setting | City: Midsize | City: Large |
| Location | Berkeley, CA | Los Angeles, 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 UCLA 76; 55 are offered at both. The largest shared programs:
Questions about UC Berkeley vs UCLA
Every answer uses the figures in the table above.
Is it harder to get into UC Berkeley or UCLA?
UCLA is harder to get into by acceptance rate: UC Berkeley admits 11% of applicants and UCLA admits 9%.
Which is cheaper, UC Berkeley or UCLA?
UC Berkeley has the lower average net price after grants: $14,538 a year at UC Berkeley against $14,659 at UCLA. For families earning up to $30,000 it is $5,110 and $7,755. Your own price depends on family income and aid.
Do UC Berkeley or UCLA graduates earn more?
UC Berkeley graduates earn more at the median: $100,212 ten years after entry for UC Berkeley and $88,581 for UCLA. Median federal debt at graduation is $12,416 and $13,750.
Which has a higher graduation rate, UC Berkeley or UCLA?
UC Berkeley does: 93.7% of UC Berkeley students graduate within six years, against 92.8% at UCLA.
How big are UC Berkeley and UCLA?
UC Berkeley has 33,068 students in Berkeley, CA and UCLA has 33,475 students in Los Angeles, CA.