UC Berkeley
Berkeley, California
How selective is it?
UC Berkeley is in our Most Selective tier (Under ~15% acceptance). Admission is a long shot for nearly every applicant, strong grades and scores are a starting point, not a guarantee.
Fall 2026 acceptance rate ~10.5%.
Tiers are broad on purpose. Acceptance rates move every cycle, and many schools are more competitive for specific majors than the school overall, so use this as a starting point for your list, not a prediction.
How to use UC Berkeley in your college list
Treat this as a reach for nearly every applicant, even with top grades and test scores. Apply because the school fits you, not because you expect to get in, and balance it with several schools in lower tiers. Review at these schools is typically holistic, so essays, activities, and recommendations carry real weight.
Building a list across tiers? See all 47 California colleges in our finder, or follow our guide to building a list by score and GPA.
What it's known for
UC Berkeley is widely recognized for strengths in the fields below. This reflects peer-assessment rankings and long-standing reputation, not a full list of programs.
Explore related majors: Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Business Administration, Physics, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Finance, Chemistry.
Check the current numbers yourself
For UC Berkeley's current test-score and GPA ranges, acceptance rate, and cost, go to the source:
- Find its Common Data Set ↗ Section C has the middle 50% of scores and GPA. Our step-by-step guide shows how to read it.
- College Scorecard ↗ U.S. Department of Education data on cost, graduation, and outcomes.
- Net price calculator ↗ Estimate what your family would actually pay after aid.
- Find the official admissions page ↗ Deadlines, requirements, and how to apply.
Similar colleges to consider
Schools with a similar selectivity, in the same state, or known for the same fields. A balanced list usually mixes a few reaches, several realistic targets, and at least one or two safeties.
Frequently asked questions
How selective is UC Berkeley?+
UC Berkeley sits in our "Most Selective" tier (Under ~15% acceptance). Fall 2026 acceptance rate ~10.5%.
Is UC Berkeley hard to get into?+
Admission is a long shot for nearly every applicant, strong grades and scores are a starting point, not a guarantee. Selectivity varies by major and changes every admissions cycle, so treat the tier as a starting point and check UC Berkeley's own admissions data for the current year.
What is UC Berkeley known for?+
UC Berkeley is widely recognized for strengths in Computer Science & IT, Engineering, Business, Natural Sciences & Math. This reflects reputation and peer-assessment rankings, not a complete list of programs, so confirm that a specific major is offered and how competitive it is.
How do I find UC Berkeley's current SAT, ACT, and GPA ranges?+
Search "UC Berkeley Common Data Set" and open Section C, which lists the middle 50% of test scores and GPA for the entering class. Our guide "How to Build Your Own College List by Score and GPA" on this site walks through it step by step.
Where is UC Berkeley?+
UC Berkeley is a public institution in Berkeley, California.
Selectivity tiers and "known for" tags are general guidance compiled from public sources and may be out of date. MajorAtlas isn't affiliated with UC Berkeley. Always confirm details with the school.