What is the University of California, Berkeley Known for?

Officially known as the University of California at Berkeley, this flagship campus of the ten-campus University of California system consistently ranks among the top public universities in the U.S. and globally. Once famous in the 1960s for its radical student activism, Berkeley today still fosters a lively spectrum of viewpoints and values diversity of thought as much as ever.

Overview

Founded in 1868, UC Berkeley remains the crown jewel of the University of California schools. It continues to employ more Nobel laureates than any other U.S. university and maintains its reputation as a powerhouse in publicly funded higher education.

Location

Berkeley is located in the city of Berkeley, California—across the Bay from San Francisco and easily accessible via San Francisco International Airport. The campus spans approximately 1,232 acres of park-like grounds and university buildings, showcasing a variety of architectural styles and offering stunning views of the bay.

Student Cohort

As of Fall 2022, Berkeley’s enrollment stood at 45,745 students—32,831 undergraduates and 12,914 graduate and professional students. Women constitute 56% of undergrads and 49% of graduate students

Admission

Acceptance Rate

Berkeley remains highly selective. The freshman admission rate for Fall 2024–25 (Class of 2028) was about 11.04%, with roughly 124,245 applicants and 13,714 accepted.

System-wide data for 2025 shows UC Berkeley admitted about 14,451 out of 126,796 freshman applicants—an acceptance rate of around 11.4%.

In-State Admit Trends
Notably, UC Berkeley admitted 68% of California resident applicants for fall 2025, down from 79% in 2024—reflecting increasing selectivity for in-state students.

Admission Standards
The average unweighted GPA of admitted freshmen remains very high—about 3.90. The university continues a test-blind admissions policy, meaning SAT and ACT scores aren’t considered.

Application Process
Applicants still use the UC system’s single online portal to apply (deadline: November 30), including four 350-word Personal Insight essays and a rigorous curriculum from high school.

Academics

Berkeley offers over 160 undergraduate majors across several colleges and schools. Breadth requirements ensure students explore diverse disciplines.

Standout Majors
Programs such as Computer Science, Economics, Business, Engineering, and Biology remain especially prestigious, consistently ranked among the world’s best.

Faculty/Student Ratio
Class sizes vary widely—from large introductory lectures to small seminars—similar to previous years.

Completion Rates
Although exact current figures weren’t found, Berkeley traditionally boasts strong 4-year and 6-year graduation rates, often close to or exceeding national averages.

Net Cost of Attendance

Tuition & Fees (2025–26 estimates)

• In-state residents: ~$15,978 (comprising ~$13,752 systemwide tuition + ~$2,226 campus fees)

• Non-residents: ~$48,726, including a substantial supplemental tuition of ~$32,748

Additional mandatory fees (e.g., health insurance, transit, document processing) bring in-state costs closer to ~$19,722 annually, excluding housing and living expenses.

Estimated Total Cost of Attendance

• Residents (on-campus): ~$39,000–$45,000

• Non-residents: ~$71,000–$75,000
  Another estimate for 2024–25 places total COA at ~$48,259 (in-state) and ~$82,459 (out-of-state), including room, board, and personal expenses—net costs after aid average ~$25,263 and ~$59,463, respectively.

Aid & Net Price
Berkeley awards over $1 billion in financial aid annually. Approximately 62% of students receive aid, and 38% pay no tuition out of pocket. The average gift aid is around $23,676, and student debt averages about $18,486 Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

Rankings & Reputation

UC Berkeley was recently ranked No. 6 globally by U.S. News & World Report—the top-ranking public U.S. institution on that list.
However, UCLA reclaimed the No. 1 spot nationally among public universities in its U.S. News national rankings, a title it has held for eight straight years.

Berkeley excels in research-centered evaluations (global rankings), while UCLA often leads in metrics related to undergraduate outcomes and social mobility

In Conclusion

UC Berkeley remains a powerhouse of academia with global prestige and rigorous admissions. Despite a less combative atmosphere than the 1960s, its campus still pulses with diversity and intellectual energy. With ever-tightening acceptance rates, high academic standards, and nuanced regional rivalry, Berkeley continues to challenge and inspire its student body.