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UC Berkeley vs University of Florida

A comprehensive side-by-side comparison of academics, cost, admissions, campus life and career outcomes to help you choose.

11.4% UC Berkeley acceptance
23.0% UF acceptance
$98,672 UF cheaper over 4 years
Updated 2026 · Data: NCES, College Scorecard, IPEDS All figures in USD unless noted

School Overview

UC Berkeley
Berkeley, California
Public
Founded
1868
Enrollment
45,307
Setting
Urban
UF
Gainesville, Florida
Public
Founded
1853
Enrollment
55,211
Setting
Suburban

At a Glance

Tuition UF saves $16,228
UC Berkeley
$44,886
UF
$28,658
Acceptance Rate UC Berkeley more selective
UC Berkeley
11.4%
UF
23.0%
Graduation Rate UC Berkeley higher
UC Berkeley
93%
UF
90%
Avg SAT Score UC Berkeley higher
UC Berkeley
1440
UF
1390
Starting Salary UC Berkeley higher
UC Berkeley
$79,300
UF
$64,200

Detailed Comparison

Metric UC Berkeley UF Edge
Tuition (Out-of-State)$44,886$28,658UF
Tuition (In-State)$14,312$6,380UF
Room & Board$20,090$11,650UF
Acceptance Rate11.4%23.0%UC Berkeley
Graduation Rate93%90%UC Berkeley
Average SAT14401390UC Berkeley
Student-Faculty Ratio20:117:1UF
Enrollment45,30755,211-
Avg Financial Aid$22,930$12,860UC Berkeley
Starting Salary$79,300$64,200UC Berkeley
Endowment$7.3B$2.7BUC Berkeley
Campus Size1,232 acres2,000 acres-

Total Cost Comparison (4 Years)

Estimated sticker price before financial aid.

UC Berkeley
$259,904
4-year total (out-of-state)
VS
UF
$161,232
4-year total (out-of-state)
After average financial aid, estimated net cost: UC Berkeley = $168,184 | UF = $109,792. Your actual cost may differ. Use each school's Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate.

Popular Majors

UC Berkeley Top Majors

Computer ScienceEngineeringEconomicsData ScienceBusiness

UF Top Majors

BusinessBiologyEngineeringComputer SciencePsychology

Campus & Student Life

Setting
UC BerkeleyUrban
UFSuburban
Campus Size
UC Berkeley1,232 ac
UF2,000 ac
Athletics
UC BerkeleyNCAA D1
UFNCAA D1
Region
UC BerkeleyWest
UFSouth
Founded
UC Berkeley1868
UF1853
Enrollment
UC Berkeley45,307
UF55,211

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is UC Berkeley or UF harder to get into?+
UC Berkeley is more selective with an acceptance rate of 11.4% compared to 23.0%. Both schools look at GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, essays, and recommendations in their admissions process.
Which is cheaper, UC Berkeley or UF?+
At sticker price, UF costs less over 4 years ($161,232 vs $259,904). However, financial aid can dramatically change the actual cost. UC Berkeley offers an average of $22,930/year in aid while UF offers $12,860/year. Always compare your actual net price after aid.
What are the average SAT scores for UC Berkeley and UF?+
The average SAT score at UC Berkeley is 1440 and at UF it is 1390. Keep in mind that admitted students often score across a range, and many schools practice holistic admissions where test scores are just one factor.
Do UC Berkeley or UF graduates earn more?+
Graduates of UC Berkeley have a higher average starting salary ($79,300 vs $64,200). Salary outcomes vary significantly by major, industry, and location — so this is a general average across all graduates.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at each school?+
UC Berkeley has a 20:1 student-to-faculty ratio while UF has 17:1. A lower ratio generally means smaller class sizes and more individual attention from professors.
How do UC Berkeley and UF compare for campus life?+
UC Berkeley is located in Berkeley, California (urban setting) with a 1,232-acre campus. UF is in Gainesville, Florida (suburban setting) with 2,000 acres. UC Berkeley competes in NCAA D1 athletics and UF in NCAA D1.