Academic Comparison between UC Berkeley and Princeton

University of California-Berkeley and Princeton University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. UC Berkeley is a four-year, public school located in Berkeley, CA and Princeton is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Princeton, NJ.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • UC Berkeley is a public and Princeton is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • Princeton has more expensive tuition & fees ($62,688) than UC Berkeley ($47,265).
  • It is harder to admit to Princeton than UC Berkeley.
  • UC Berkeley has more students with 45,882 students while Princeton has 9,137 students.
  • Princeton has a lower number of students per faculty with 5 to 1 while UC Berkeley's ratio is 18 to 1.
  • UC Berkeley has more full-time faculties with 1,971 faculties while Princeton has 1,052 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

University of California-Berkeleyvs.Princeton University
Berkeley, CaliforniaLocationPrinceton, New Jersey
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Research University (very high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationResearch University (very high research activity)
In-State$15,377
Out-Of-State$47,265
2025 Tuition & Fees$62,688
60%% Receiving Financial Aid63%
$25,091Average Amount of Financial Aid$71,529
10.98 %Acceptance Rates4.62 %
45.99 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)75.48 %
-SAT Score1,550
-ACT Score35
93 %Graduation Rate98 %
-Transfer-out Rate-
97 %Retention Rate98 %
45,882Student Population9,137
1,971Number of Faculties1,052
18 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio5 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycare
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