Cornell vs Berkeley
Cornell University and University of California-Berkeley, two prestigious institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Cornell, nestled in the scenic Finger Lakes region of New York, boasts a lower acceptance rate (10.3%) compared to Berkeley's (17.5%). Both universities excel in various disciplines, with Cornell known for its strength in engineering, agriculture, and hospitality, while Berkeley shines in computer science, engineering, and social sciences. Cornell's student body is slightly larger, with an undergraduate population of around 15,000 compared to Berkeley's 14,000. Berkeley, located in the vibrant city of Berkeley, California, offers a more diverse student body, with a higher percentage of international students. While Cornell boasts a slightly higher graduation rate (91%) than Berkeley's (89%), both universities are committed to providing their students with a top-notch education that prepares them for successful careers. Explore the detailed comparison table below to
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![]() Cornell University |
![]() University of California-Berkeley |
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Overview |
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Location | Ithaca, New York | Berkeley, California |
Campus setting | City: Small | City: Midsize |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 97.0% | 96.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 8.7% | 14.4% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$80
Graduate:
$105
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Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$120
|
SAT range | 1450 - 1560 | N/A |
ACT range | 33 - 35 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 41.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 20.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 67,380 | 112,843 |
Total number of admissions given out | 5,852 | 16,295 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 3,718 | 6,931 |
Yield rate | 63.5% | 42.5% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $80,287 |
In state:
$37,920
Out of state:
$67,674
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Average net price | $24,262 | $17,652 |
Tuition | $60,286 |
In state:
$11,442
Out of state:
$41,196
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$9,962
Meal plan:
$6,434
|
$20,236 |
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
50.0%
Average amount $52,674 |
52.0%
Average amount $21,406 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
26.0%
Average amount $3,924 |
15.0%
Average amount $4,586 |
Students taking out private loans |
16.0%
Average amount $8,357 |
6.0%
Average amount $7,122 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
15,503
Men 46.1% Women 53.9% |
31,814
Men 45.4% Women 54.6% |
Graduate students |
10,079
Men 51.0% Women 49.0% |
13,222
Men 51.7% Women 48.3% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 64.3% | 16.9% |
International students | 24.4% | 18.0% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | City: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 7,422 | 9,630 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | New York California New Jersey Florida Pennsylvania | California New Jersey Texas Virginia New York |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 9:1 | 20:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 94.1% | 92.8% |
Dropout rate | 5.2% | 6.3% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Law (Doctoral Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Science (Master's Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Operations Research (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Systems Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees)
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Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Information Science/Studies (Master's Degrees)
Chemistry (Doctoral Degrees)
Optometry (First Professional Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Applied Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
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