UC Irvine vs Berkeley

Nestled in the heart of Orange County, University of California-Irvine (UCI) and the vibrant city of Berkeley, University of California-Berkeley (UCB) stand as two prominent beacons of higher education in California. While both institutions share the UC name, they offer distinct experiences for their students. UCI boasts a sprawling campus with a diverse student body, while UCB's urban setting fosters a dynamic and engaged community. With varying acceptance rates, popular majors, student demographics, and graduation outcomes, UCI and UCB cater to different academic aspirations and personal preferences. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to discover which university aligns best with your unique goals and aspirations.

	University of California-Berkeley	University of California-Irvine
Overview
Location	Berkeley, California	Irvine, California
Campus setting	City: Midsize	City: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Quarter
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	96.0%	93.0%
Common app member	No	No
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	14.4%	28.8%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $70 Graduate: $120	Undergraduate: $70 Graduate: $120
SAT range	N/A	N/A
ACT range	N/A	N/A
Students submitting SAT score
Students submitting ACT score
Total number of applicants	112,843	107,950
Total number of admissions given out	16,295	31,110
Admitted students who chose to enroll	6,931	6,489
Yield rate	42.5%	20.9%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $37,920 Out of state: $67,674	In state: $35,033 Out of state: $64,787
Average net price	$17,652	$11,633
Tuition	In state: $11,442 Out of state: $41,196	In state: $11,442 Out of state: $41,196
Room & board	$20,236	$16,869
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	52.0% Average amount $21,406	78.0% Average amount $16,868
Students receiving federal student loan	15.0% Average amount $4,586	18.0% Average amount $4,696
Students taking out private loans	6.0% Average amount $7,122	2.0% Average amount $7,702

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	31,814 Men 45.4% Women 54.6%	29,449 Men 45.4% Women 54.6%
Graduate students	13,222 Men 51.7% Women 48.3%	7,056 Men 49.8% Women 50.2%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Moderate
Out-of-state students	16.9%	13.5%
International students	18.0%	18.0%
Campus local/setting	City: Midsize	City: Large
Dormitory capacity	9,630	15,493
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	California New Jersey Texas Virginia New York	California Washington Hawaii Texas New York

Academics
Popular study areas	Engineering Business Computer and Information Science Legal Profession Health Professions	Business Biological and Biomedical Sciences Health Professions Engineering Education
Students to faculty ratio	20:1	18:1
Institutional accreditation	Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission	Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	92.8%	83.7%
Dropout rate	6.3%	6.4%
Transferred out	N/A	9.1%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $171,936 Year 3: $191,597 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $122,038 Year 3: $167,052 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $125,250 Year 2: $125,388 Year 3: $161,399 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $126,367 Year 2: $128,868 Year 3: $160,666 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $160,390 Year 2: $142,470 Year 3: $143,984 Information Science/Studies (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $119,358 Year 3: $143,516 Chemistry (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $107,442 Year 2: $63,005 Year 3: $112,973 Optometry (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $74,750 Year 2: $91,363 Year 3: $104,601 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $95,600 Year 2: $85,760 Year 3: $103,738 Applied Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $71,282 Year 2: $65,387 Year 3: $102,543	Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $122,124 Year 2: $190,536 Year 3: $178,048 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $104,708 Year 2: $90,983 Year 3: $109,642 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $109,417 Year 2: $115,339 Year 3: $102,324 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $77,451 Year 2: $97,959 Year 3: $101,335 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $72,618 Year 2: $81,929 Year 3: $95,882 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $79,284 Year 3: $95,654 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $70,796 Year 2: $73,128 Year 3: $86,654 Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $55,841 Year 2: $65,332 Year 3: $85,004 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $68,056 Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: $80,300 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,396 Year 2: $65,387 Year 3: $80,210

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key differences in academic reputation between UC Irvine and UC Berkeley?

UC Berkeley generally holds a higher overall academic reputation, particularly in fields like engineering, computer science, and humanities. It's often ranked among the top public universities globally. UC Irvine also has a strong academic standing, especially in areas like biological sciences, computer science, and criminology, and is rapidly gaining recognition. However, Berkeley's longer history and broader range of highly-ranked programs contribute to its generally higher perceived prestige.
How do the campus environments differ between UC Irvine and UC Berkeley?

UC Berkeley offers a more traditional, bustling, and politically active campus environment. It's located in a vibrant urban setting with a strong emphasis on activism and intellectual discourse. UC Irvine, in contrast, has a more modern, suburban campus known for its safety and focus on research. It's generally considered to have a more relaxed and collaborative atmosphere, with a greater emphasis on undergraduate research opportunities.
Which university is better for undergraduate research opportunities?

Both universities provide excellent research opportunities. UC Berkeley, with its extensive graduate programs and research funding, offers a vast array of research possibilities across various disciplines. UC Irvine, however, is known for its strong undergraduate research programs and a higher percentage of undergraduates involved in research, making it potentially easier for undergraduates to get involved early in their academic careers.
What are the differences in the cost of attendance?

The cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, and living expenses, is generally comparable between UC Irvine and UC Berkeley for in-state students. However, living costs in Berkeley, due to its location in the San Francisco Bay Area, can be slightly higher than in Irvine. Out-of-state tuition will be similar at both institutions, but students should check the most current tuition and fee schedules on each university's website.
How do the student bodies compare at UC Irvine and UC Berkeley?

UC Berkeley has a larger and more diverse student body, reflecting its broader range of academic programs and its location in a major metropolitan area. The student body at UC Irvine is also diverse, but generally smaller, creating a slightly more intimate campus feel. Both universities attract high-achieving students from various backgrounds.
What are the career prospects like after graduating from UC Irvine versus UC Berkeley?

Graduates from both universities are highly sought after by employers. UC Berkeley graduates often have an advantage in certain fields due to the university's strong reputation and extensive alumni network, particularly in tech and finance. UC Irvine graduates are also highly competitive, especially in the Southern California job market, with strong connections to the tech, healthcare, and entertainment industries. Career prospects depend heavily on the specific field of study and individual skills and experience.
How does the social life differ between the two universities?

UC Berkeley offers a more vibrant and diverse social scene, with a wide range of clubs, organizations, and events reflecting its large student body and urban location. UC Irvine has a more relaxed social environment, with a focus on campus activities and a strong sense of community. Both universities offer a variety of social opportunities, but the atmosphere differs significantly.
Which university is better for a student who is undecided about their major?

Both universities offer excellent resources for undecided students. UC Berkeley, with its broader range of programs and departments, might provide more options for exploration. UC Irvine, with its emphasis on undergraduate advising and research opportunities, could offer a more supportive environment for students still exploring their interests. The best choice depends on the individual student's preferences and learning style.
How do the housing options compare at UC Irvine and UC Berkeley?

Both universities offer on-campus housing, but demand often exceeds supply, especially at UC Berkeley. UC Berkeley's housing options are more diverse, reflecting the larger student body. UC Irvine has a more modern housing infrastructure and a higher percentage of students living on campus. Off-campus housing is available near both universities, but costs and availability vary depending on the location.
What are the strengths of the engineering programs at UC Irvine and UC Berkeley?

UC Berkeley's College of Engineering is consistently ranked among the top engineering schools globally, with exceptional programs in all engineering disciplines. UC Irvine's Samueli School of Engineering is also highly regarded, particularly in areas like computer engineering, biomedical engineering, and environmental engineering. Berkeley's program is larger and has a longer history, while Irvine's program is known for its innovative research and strong industry connections, especially in Southern California.

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