CollegeCalcAI
Highly selectiveUpdated for the 2025-2026 cycle

University of California, Berkeley acceptance rate and admissions profile

University of California, Berkeley is a public university in California with a 11% acceptance rate, which makes it highly selective. Here is what it looks for, where it sits among California schools, and how to estimate your own odds with CollegeCalcAI.

Acceptance rate
11%
Highly selective
Admitted SAT (75th pct)
1530
of admitted students
Type
Public
California
Selectivity in state
#6
of 61 in CA
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What University of California, Berkeley looks for

What University of California, Berkeley weighs most heavily in its admissions review, modeled from its selectivity and profile.

Rigor of secondary school record
Very important
Academic GPA
Very important
Class rank
Important
Standardized test scores
Important
Application essay
Very important
Recommendations
Important
Interview
Considered
Extracurricular activities
Important
Talent / ability
Important
Character / personal qualities
Important
First-generation status
Considered
Geographical residence
Considered
State residency
Very important
Volunteer work
Considered
Work experience
Considered

SAT score positioning at University of California, Berkeley

How common SAT scores sit relative to the admitted middle. This is context, not a probability — your full profile determines the real estimate.

SATWhere it sits at University of California, Berkeley
1600Above the admitted 75th percentile
1500In the competitive admitted range
1400Well below the admitted range
1300Well below the admitted range
1200Well below the admitted range
1100Well below the admitted range

How University of California, Berkeley compares in California

University of California, Berkeley ranks #6 most selective of 61 schools in California in our database.

California Institute of Technology
3%acceptance · CA
Stanford University
4%acceptance · CA
Pomona College
7%acceptance · CA
UCLA
9%acceptance · CA
Claremont McKenna College
9%acceptance · CA
University of Southern California
12%acceptance · CA
UC Irvine
21%acceptance · CA
UC San Diego
24%acceptance · CA
See all California schools →

Similar to University of California, Berkeley

Schools with a similar selectivity profile, worth comparing as you build a balanced list.

U.S. Air Force Academy
11%acceptance · CO
U.S. Military Academy
12%acceptance · NY
UCLA
9%acceptance · CA
U.S. Naval Academy
8%acceptance · MD
Tulane University
11%acceptance · LA
Carnegie Mellon University
11%acceptance · PA

Frequently asked questions

How hard is it to get into University of California, Berkeley?

University of California, Berkeley has a 11% acceptance rate, which makes it highly selective — it turns away most applicants. Admission depends on how your full profile compares to its admitted students, not on scores alone.

What SAT score do you need for University of California, Berkeley?

There is no hard cutoff, but the admitted-student 75th-percentile SAT is around 1530. A score at or above the admitted range strengthens your application; CollegeCalcAI shows how your exact score shifts your odds.

What does University of California, Berkeley value most in applicants?

Based on its admissions profile, University of California, Berkeley weighs rigor of secondary school record, academic gpa, application essay most heavily. The full factor breakdown is on this page.

What are my chances of getting into University of California, Berkeley?

Your chances depend on your GPA, course rigor, test scores, and activities together. Use the free CollegeCalcAI calculator to get a personalized acceptance estimate for University of California, Berkeley in a few minutes, no account required.

Want the deeper guide? Read our full University of California, Berkeley chances guide →

Acceptance rate and admitted test ranges reflect publicly reported data (U.S. Department of Education / NCES IPEDS / Common Data Sets). Estimates from CollegeCalcAI are a planning tool computed by a fixed, transparent model, not a guarantee of any admission decision.