UC Berkeley vs. Northeastern University Oakland

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Berkeley in Berkeley, CA with Northeastern University Oakland in Oakland, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

University of California Berkeley is larger than Northeastern University Oakland based on total student enrollment (45,882 students vs. 640 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Berkeley is located in Berkeley, CA (Midsize City setting); Northeastern University Oakland is in Oakland, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California Berkeley is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northeastern University Oakland is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Berkeley 18:1; Northeastern University Oakland 7:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northeastern University Oakland are 17.6% lower than at University of California Berkeley ($19,580 vs. $23,750).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.1% higher at Northeastern University Oakland than at University of California Berkeley (about $17,231 more per year; $67,778 vs. $50,547).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northeastern University Oakland than at University of California Berkeley (67% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northeastern University Oakland students is 95.7% larger than aid received by University of California Berkeley students ($57,948 vs. $29,608).

Admissions details

• Incoming UC Berkeley students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 32) as students at Northeastern University Oakland (32).
• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at UC Berkeley, test optional at Northeastern University Oakland.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Berkeley Nov 30, 2026.
• Enrolled first-year students at UC Berkeley average a 3.87 high school GPA, 0.3 higher than at Northeastern University Oakland (3.57).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46% at UC Berkeley vs. 14.9% at Northeastern University Oakland.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Berkeley graduates have a $9,300 lower median loan debt than Northeastern University Oakland graduates ($14,200 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, UC Berkeley graduates have an estimated $96 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northeastern University Oakland graduates ($146 vs. $242).
• More UC Berkeley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northeastern University Oakland students, three years after graduation (79% vs. 66%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.