UC Berkeley vs. Cornell

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Berkeley in Berkeley, CA with Cornell University in Ithaca, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California Berkeley is larger than Cornell based on total student enrollment (45,882 students vs. 26,793 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Berkeley is located in Berkeley, CA (Midsize City setting); Cornell University is in Ithaca, NY (Small City setting).
• University of California Berkeley is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Cornell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Berkeley 18:1; Cornell University 9:1.

UC Berkeley vs. Cornell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Berkeley or Cornell? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of California Berkeley than Cornell ($16,538 vs. $26,361).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cornell University are 18.2% lower than at University of California Berkeley ($19,428 vs. $23,750).
• Cornell University is 324% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Berkeley (about $52,967 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $16,347.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.1% higher at Cornell than at University of California Berkeley (about $18,767 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $50,547.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Berkeley than at Cornell University (53% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell University students is 108.7% larger than aid received by University of California Berkeley students ($61,779 vs. $29,608).

UC Berkeley vs. Cornell Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC Berkeley or Cornell? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Cornell and UC Berkeley.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Cornell University (1540) is 120 points higher than at UC Berkeley (1420).
• Incoming Cornell students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (34 vs. 32 at UC Berkeley).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of California Berkeley 1310/1530; Cornell University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of California Berkeley 30/35; Cornell University 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Berkeley - Test-free; Cornell - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Berkeley Nov 30, 2026; Cornell Jan 2, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Cornell students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at UC Berkeley (3.87).
• UC Berkeley has a higher acceptance rate (11%) than Cornell (8.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46% at UC Berkeley vs. 63.9% at Cornell.

UC Berkeley vs. Cornell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Berkeley and Cornell? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Cornell University's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than University of California Berkeley's (90%).
• Graduates from Cornell University earn a median of about $23,700 more per year than UC Berkeley graduates about ten years after starting college ($98,400 vs. $74,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cornell University graduates have a $2,200 lower median loan debt than UC Berkeley graduates ($12,000 vs. $14,200).
• Among borrowers, Cornell graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC Berkeley graduates ($124 vs. $146).
• More Cornell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC Berkeley students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 79%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.