UC Berkeley vs. Minnesota

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Berkeley in Berkeley, CA with University of Minnesota Twin Cities in Minneapolis, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Minnesota Twin Cities is larger than UC Berkeley based on total student enrollment (56,666 students vs. 45,882 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Berkeley is located in Berkeley, CA (Midsize City setting); University of Minnesota Twin Cities is in Minneapolis, MN (Large City setting).
• University of California Berkeley is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Berkeley 18:1; University of Minnesota Twin Cities 17:1.

UC Berkeley vs. Minnesota Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Berkeley or Minnesota? 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 Minnesota ($16,538 vs. $17,209).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Minnesota Twin Cities are 41.7% lower than at University of California Berkeley ($13,856 vs. $23,750).
• University of Minnesota Twin Cities is 5.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Berkeley (about $867 more per year; $17,214.00 vs. $16,347.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.8% higher at UC Berkeley than at University of Minnesota Twin Cities (about $12,185 more per year; $50,547.00 vs. $38,362.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Minnesota Twin Cities than at University of California Berkeley (65% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Berkeley students is 135.9% larger than aid received by University of Minnesota Twin Cities students ($29,608 vs. $12,552).

UC Berkeley vs. Minnesota Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Berkeley (1420) is 20 points higher than at Minnesota (1400).
• Incoming UC Berkeley students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 28 at Minnesota).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Berkeley 1310/1530; University of Minnesota Twin Cities 1300/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Berkeley 30/35; University of Minnesota Twin Cities 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Berkeley - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind); Minnesota - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Berkeley Nov 30, 2026; Minnesota Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UC Berkeley students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Minnesota (3.75).
• Minnesota has a higher acceptance rate (79.7%) than UC Berkeley (11%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46% at UC Berkeley vs. 22.3% at Minnesota.

UC Berkeley vs. Minnesota Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Berkeley and Minnesota? 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 University of Minnesota Twin Cities's (70%).
• Graduates from University of California Berkeley earn a median of about $16,500 more per year than Minnesota graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,700 vs. $58,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Berkeley graduates have a $5,985 lower median loan debt than Minnesota graduates ($14,200 vs. $20,185).
• Among borrowers, UC Berkeley graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Minnesota graduates ($146 vs. $208).
• More UC Berkeley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Minnesota students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 74%)

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.