- Acceptance rate: 11% for fall 2024
- Average net price: $16,997 a year (2022–23)
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How does your GPA compare?
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Where you standEnter your GPA
University of California Berkeley reported an acceptance rate of 11% for fall 2024.
Weighted GPAs above 4.0 can't be compared directly. Many colleges recalculate on their own scale, so use your unweighted GPA here.
A guide based on reported data, not a prediction. University of California Berkeley reviews each application.
University of California Berkeley GPA requirements
University of California Berkeley requires a high school GPA from first-year applicants, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024.
Federal data doesn't include GPA averages, and University of California Berkeley hasn't published one we could verify, so this page doesn't list an average GPA.
University of California Berkeley acceptance rate
University of California Berkeley admitted 13,639 of 124,242 first-year applicants for fall 2024, an acceptance rate of 11%, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
University of California Berkeley is a public 4-year university in Berkeley, California, with 33,070 undergraduates.
Admission requirements
What University of California Berkeley looks at when it decides on first-year applicants, as it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024:
| Admission factor | Status |
|---|---|
| High School GPAYour cumulative high school grade point average. | Required |
| High School RecordYour transcript: the courses you took and the grades you earned. | Required |
| Essay or Personal StatementA personal statement or essay written for your application. | Required |
| College Preparatory ProgramCompletion of a college preparatory curriculum in high school. | Considered if submitted |
| RecommendationsLetters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, or other mentors. | Considered if submitted |
| Work ExperiencePaid or volunteer work. | Considered if submitted |
| High School Class RankYour ranking relative to other students in your graduating class. | Not considered |
| Test ScoresSAT or ACT scores. | Not considered |
| Other TestsOther admission tests, such as the Wonderlic or WISC-III. | Not considered |
| Demonstration of CompetenciesEvidence of specific skills through portfolios, auditions, or other demonstrations. | Not considered |
| Legacy StatusWhether a parent or other relative attended the college. | Not considered |
University of California Berkeley didn't report SAT or ACT scores for its fall 2024 first-year students.
AP credit
University of California Berkeley awards college credit for Advanced Placement (AP) exams, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for 2024–25. The college decides which exams and scores earn credit.
It doesn't award credit for life experience.
Average net price
First-time, full-time undergraduates paying in-state tuition who received grant or scholarship aid paid an average net price of $16,997 a year at University of California Berkeley in 2022–23, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
Net price is the full cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships.
Frequently asked questions
How hard is it to get into the University of California Berkeley?
Highly selective: fewer than 1 in 4 applicants got in. University of California Berkeley admitted 11% of first-year applicants for fall 2024.
What GPA do you need to get into the University of California Berkeley?
University of California Berkeley requires a high school GPA from first-year applicants, as it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024. It hasn't published an average GPA we could verify, so we don't list one.
What is the University of California Berkeley's acceptance rate?
University of California Berkeley's acceptance rate was 11% for fall 2024: it admitted 13,639 of 124,242 first-year applicants, it said in its report to the U.S. Department of Education.
Do I have a chance at the University of California Berkeley with a 3.5 GPA?
GPA alone can't tell you here. University of California Berkeley admitted 11% of first-year applicants for fall 2024. It requires a high school GPA but hasn't published an average we could verify, so there's no admitted-student GPA to compare a 3.5 against. Your transcript and test scores are the clearer guide.
Does the University of California Berkeley require the SAT or ACT?
Check University of California Berkeley's admissions website for the current rule: testing policies change from year to year. University of California Berkeley didn't consider SAT or ACT scores, even if you sent them (test blind), according to its filing with the U.S. Department of Education (fall 2024).
How important is GPA for getting into the University of California Berkeley?
A lot: University of California Berkeley requires high school GPA, high school record and essay or personal statement. It considers college preparatory program, recommendations and work experience if you send them. It doesn't consider high school class rank, test scores, other tests, demonstration of competencies and legacy status. That's what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024.
Do you need to write an essay to apply to the University of California Berkeley?
Yes. University of California Berkeley requires a personal statement or essay from first-year applicants, as it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024.
What do students pay at the University of California Berkeley after grants?
First-time, full-time undergraduates paying in-state tuition who received grant or scholarship aid paid an average of $16,997 a year at University of California Berkeley in 2022–23, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships.
Does the University of California Berkeley look at legacy status?
No. University of California Berkeley doesn't consider whether a parent or other relative attended, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024.
Does the University of California Berkeley give credit for AP exams?
Yes. University of California Berkeley awards college credit for Advanced Placement (AP) exams, it said in its report to the U.S. Department of Education for 2024–25. The college decides which exams and scores earn credit.
Before you apply, check the University of California Berkeley's official admissions site: requirements can differ by program and change from year to year.
Sources
- College Navigator: University of California-BerkeleyU.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS (2024–25 provisional data): admissions, test scores and admission factors for fall 2024, undergraduate enrollment for fall 2024, net price for 2022–23 and credit policies for 2024–25.
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Similar colleges in California
With a similar acceptance rate and size.
- University of California Los AngelesHighly selective · 9% admitted
- University of Southern CaliforniaHighly selective · 9.8% admitted
- University of California San DiegoSelective · 27% admitted
- University of California IrvineSelective · 29% admitted
- Stanford UniversityHighly selective · 3.6% admitted
- California Polytechnic State University San Luis ObispoSelective · 31% admitted
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