Physical Sciences at University of California, Berkeley
In 2023, 295 of the 9,207 students who finished a bachelor's degree at University of California, Berkeley did so in physical sciences: 3.2% of the class and the 10th most common major on campus. Nationally, 1.29% of bachelor's degrees are in this field, so it is far more concentrated at University of California, Berkeley (2.5x the national share). 38% of those graduates were women.
Is physical sciences competitive at University of California, Berkeley?
Colleges report one admission rate for the whole school; here is the bar you are actually measured against, and how the model treats this major.
University of California, Berkeley admitted 14,677 of 125,910 applicants for fall 2023 (11%). Colleges report admissions at the school level, not by major, so there is no published acceptance rate for physical sciences at University of California, Berkeley. CollegeCalcAI's published model treats "Physics / Chemistry" as more competitive than University of California, Berkeley's overall rate (multiplier 0.98 on the effective admit rate), so an applicant declaring this field is scored against a slightly higher bar.
How to apply to University of California, Berkeley for physical sciences
What readers look for from applicants who declare this field, at any selectivity.
- Chemistry and physics at the highest level, with calculus
- A lab or research experience, even a small one, described specifically
- Math depth matters as much as science grades here
- Run your odds with the major set: your estimate at University of California, Berkeley for physical sciences →
Where else to study physical sciences
Other colleges in California and at a similar selectivity that award bachelor's degrees in this field.
Every college ranked by physical sciences graduates: colleges that graduate the most physical sciences majors → · Physical Sciences colleges in California →
More majors at University of California, Berkeley
The other fields University of California, Berkeley graduates the most students in, 2023.
Questions about physical sciences at University of California, Berkeley
How many students major in physical sciences at University of California, Berkeley?
295 students earned a bachelor's degree in physical sciences at University of California, Berkeley in 2023, 3.2% of that year's 9,207 graduates (IPEDS completions, first majors).
Is physical sciences competitive at University of California, Berkeley?
University of California, Berkeley admitted 14,677 of 125,910 applicants for fall 2023 (11%). Colleges report admissions at the school level, not by major, so there is no published acceptance rate for physical sciences at University of California, Berkeley. CollegeCalcAI's published model treats "Physics / Chemistry" as more competitive than University of California, Berkeley's overall rate (multiplier 0.98 on the effective admit rate), so an applicant declaring this field is scored against a slightly higher bar.
What is the acceptance rate for physical sciences at University of California, Berkeley?
There is no official major-level acceptance rate; University of California, Berkeley reports one school-wide figure, 11%. Some programs (direct-admit nursing, engineering and business schools) select separately and can be more selective than the school overall. CollegeCalcAI's calculator applies its published per-major adjustment and shows your estimate for this school with the major set.
Is University of California, Berkeley known for physical sciences?
By output, physical sciences is the 10th most common field at University of California, Berkeley and far more concentrated there than at the average U.S. college (3.2% of graduates versus 1.29% nationally).
Source: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS 2023 Completions (bachelor's degrees, first majors, CIP 2-digit series). Admissions counts: IPEDS 2023. Built 2026-09-19. Estimates from CollegeCalcAI are not predictions or guarantees.