UC Berkeley vs. Stanford

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Berkeley is larger than Stanford based on total student enrollment (45,882 students vs. 18,625 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Berkeley is located in Berkeley, CA (Midsize City setting); Stanford University is in Stanford, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of California Berkeley is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Stanford University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Berkeley 18:1; Stanford University 6:1.

UC Berkeley vs. Stanford Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Berkeley or Stanford? 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 Stanford ($16,538 vs. $25,078).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Stanford University are 10.3% lower than at University of California Berkeley ($21,315 vs. $23,750).
• Stanford University is 303.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Berkeley (about $49,563 more per year; $65,910.00 vs. $16,347.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.4% higher at Stanford than at University of California Berkeley (about $15,363 more per year; $65,910.00 vs. $50,547.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Stanford University than at University of California Berkeley (61% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Stanford University students is 112% larger than aid received by University of California Berkeley students ($62,755 vs. $29,608).

UC Berkeley vs. Stanford Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC Berkeley or Stanford? 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 Stanford and UC Berkeley.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Stanford University (1550) is 130 points higher than at UC Berkeley (1420).
• Incoming Stanford students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at UC Berkeley).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Berkeley 1310/1530; Stanford University 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Berkeley 30/35; Stanford University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Berkeley - Test-free; Stanford - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Berkeley Nov 30, 2026; Stanford Jan 2, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Stanford students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at UC Berkeley (3.87).
• UC Berkeley has a higher acceptance rate (11%) than Stanford (3.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46% at UC Berkeley vs. 81.9% at Stanford.

UC Berkeley vs. Stanford Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Berkeley and Stanford? 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).

• Stanford University's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than University of California Berkeley's (90%).
• Graduates from Stanford University earn a median of about $48,200 more per year than UC Berkeley graduates about ten years after starting college ($122,900 vs. $74,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Stanford University graduates have a $1,725 lower median loan debt than UC Berkeley graduates ($12,475 vs. $14,200).
• Among borrowers, Stanford graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC Berkeley graduates ($128 vs. $146).
• More Stanford graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC Berkeley students, three years after graduation. (88% 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.