DEEPCOLLEGES · OPS · v3.3 SCHOOLS·INDEXED 120 SOURCES IPEDS · CDS · SCORECARD LAST·SYNC 2026.04.29
HEAD TO HEAD · LIVE FROM IPEDS

UC Berkeley vs Stanford University

Side-by-side comparison with data from federal sources. Every metric traceable to IPEDS or College Scorecard.

SCHOOL A · PUBLIC

UC Berkeley

Berkeley, CA
54
DECISION SCORE
vs
METRICS
SCHOOL B · PRIVATE

Stanford University

Stanford, CA
58
DECISION SCORE
01

Metric-by-metric

winner highlighted
MetricUC BerkeleyStanford UniversityEdge
Acceptance Rate 11.7% 3.9% UC Berkeley (easier)
Average SAT N/A 1545
Enrollment 48,230 20,955 UC Berkeley larger
Median Earnings (10yr) $92,446 $124,080 Stanford University
Median Debt $13,000 $12,000 Stanford University lower
Pell Grant Rate 27.0% 19.0% Higher = more low-income students
02

Decision scores

UC Berkeley

54 Overall Fit 50 ROI 37 Transfer

Stanford University

58 Overall Fit 50 ROI 25 Transfer
03

Top majors

UC Berkeley

Social Sciences 18.2%
Computer Science 16.4%
Engineering 11.0%
Biological Sciences 9.5%
Multidisciplinary 5.0%

Stanford University

Computer Science 17.7%
Social Sciences 16.5%
Engineering 15.6%
Multidisciplinary 15.3%
Mathematics/Statistics 5.8%

Which Should You Choose?

Both UC Berkeley and Stanford University are outstanding institutions. The right choice depends on your priorities:

  • If location matters: UC Berkeley is in Berkeley, CA while Stanford University is in Stanford, CA
  • If cost is a factor: Compare net prices for your family income bracket above
  • If career outcomes are the priority: Look at the salary data by major for each school
  • If getting in is the concern: Check which school's acceptance rate and profile better match yours

UC Berkeley vs Stanford University FAQs

Which is harder to get into, UC Berkeley or Stanford University?
Stanford University is harder to get into, with a 3.9% acceptance rate vs UC Berkeley's 11.7%. Lower acceptance rate means more competitive admission, but admission profile (GPA, SAT, course rigor) matters more than the rate alone.
Which is more expensive, UC Berkeley or Stanford University?
Stanford University has a higher sticker cost of attendance ($87,833/yr) vs UC Berkeley ($45,619/yr) — a difference of $42,214/yr at sticker price. But after financial aid, the average family pays $14,222/yr at UC Berkeley vs $13,091/yr at Stanford University.
Which has higher graduate earnings, UC Berkeley or Stanford University?
Stanford University graduates earn more — a median of $124,080 10 years post-grad, vs $92,446 at UC Berkeley. Note this is school-wide median; major choice impacts earnings far more than school choice.
Which should I choose, UC Berkeley or Stanford University?
It depends on your priorities. UC Berkeley is in Berkeley, CA; Stanford University is in Stanford, CA. Weigh acceptance odds against your profile, net cost for your family income, salary outcomes for your intended major, and campus fit (location, size, urban vs rural).
Which has better programs, UC Berkeley or Stanford University?
Both UC Berkeley and Stanford University have multiple top-ranked programs. The right answer depends on your major. Compare the salary-by-major tables on each school's salary page — UC Berkeley's salary page and Stanford University's salary page — to see which school's grads in your target major earn more.
04

Explore each school

UC BERKELEY
Acceptance Rate Tuition & Cost Salary & ROI
STANFORD UNIVERSITY
Acceptance Rate Tuition & Cost Salary & ROI

Data source: College Scorecard, IPEDS.