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 UCLA

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 · PUBLIC

UCLA

Los Angeles, CA
100
DECISION SCORE
01

Metric-by-metric

winner highlighted
MetricUC BerkeleyUCLAEdge
Acceptance Rate 11.7% 9.0% UC Berkeley (easier)
Graduation Rate N/A 92.6%
Enrollment 48,230 33,475 UC Berkeley larger
Tuition (Out-of-State) N/A $49,403
Median Earnings (10yr) $92,446 $82,511 UC Berkeley
Median Debt $13,000 $14,000 UC Berkeley lower
Pell Grant Rate 27.0% 28.2% Higher = more low-income students
02

Decision scores

UC Berkeley

54 Overall Fit 50 ROI 37 Transfer

UCLA

100 Overall Fit 95 ROI 31 Transfer
03

Top majors

UC Berkeley

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

UCLA

Social Sciences 18.0%
Biological Sciences 12.0%
Psychology 10.0%
Engineering 9.0%
Visual/Performing Arts 8.0%

Which Should You Choose?

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

  • If location matters: UC Berkeley is in Berkeley, CA while UCLA is in Los Angeles, 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 UCLA FAQs

Which is harder to get into, UC Berkeley or UCLA?
UCLA is harder to get into, with a 9.0% 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 UCLA?
UC Berkeley has a higher sticker cost of attendance ($45,619/yr) vs UCLA ($38,614/yr) — a difference of $7,005/yr at sticker price. But after financial aid, the average family pays $14,222/yr at UC Berkeley vs $13,179/yr at UCLA.
Which has higher graduate earnings, UC Berkeley or UCLA?
UC Berkeley graduates earn more — a median of $92,446 10 years post-grad, vs $82,511 at UCLA. Note this is school-wide median; major choice impacts earnings far more than school choice.
Which should I choose, UC Berkeley or UCLA?
It depends on your priorities. UC Berkeley is in Berkeley, CA; UCLA is in Los Angeles, 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 UCLA?
Both UC Berkeley and UCLA 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 UCLA'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
UCLA
Acceptance Rate Tuition & Cost Salary & ROI

Data source: College Scorecard, IPEDS.