UC Berkeley vs. San Jose State

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Berkeley in Berkeley, CA with San Jose State University in San Jose, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California Berkeley is larger than San Jose State based on total student enrollment (45,882 students vs. 37,661 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Berkeley is located in Berkeley, CA (Midsize City setting); San Jose State University is in San Jose, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California Berkeley is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. San Jose State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Berkeley 18:1; San Jose State University 25:1.

UC Berkeley vs. San Jose State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Berkeley or San Jose State? 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 San Jose State University than UC Berkeley ($13,892 vs. $16,538).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at San Jose State University are 11.7% lower than at University of California Berkeley ($20,971 vs. $23,750).
• University of California Berkeley is 94.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Jose State (about $7,937 more per year; $16,347.00 vs. $8,410.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 140.6% higher at UC Berkeley than at San Jose State University (about $29,537 more per year; $50,547.00 vs. $21,010.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at San Jose State University than at University of California Berkeley (63% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Berkeley students is 139.7% larger than aid received by San Jose State University students ($29,608 vs. $12,353).

UC Berkeley vs. San Jose State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC Berkeley or San Jose State? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between San Jose State and UC Berkeley.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Berkeley (1420) is 290 points higher than at San Jose State (1130).
• Incoming UC Berkeley students have a 10 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 22 at San Jose State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Berkeley 1310/1530; San Jose State University 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Berkeley 30/35; San Jose State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Berkeley - Test-free; San Jose State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Berkeley Nov 30, 2026; San Jose State Dec 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Berkeley students have a 0.52 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at San Jose State (3.35).
• San Jose State has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than UC Berkeley (11%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46% at UC Berkeley vs. 14.7% at San Jose State.

UC Berkeley vs. San Jose State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Berkeley and San Jose State? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of California Berkeley's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than San Jose State University's (46%).
• Graduates from University of California Berkeley earn a median of about $14,800 more per year than San Jose State graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,700 vs. $59,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Berkeley graduates have a $800 lower median loan debt than San Jose State graduates ($14,200 vs. $15,000).
• Among borrowers, UC Berkeley graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than San Jose State graduates ($146 vs. $155).
• More UC Berkeley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Jose State students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 73%)

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.