UC Berkeley Acceptance Rate

The University of California, Berkeley, located in Berkeley, California, remains one of the most selective public universities in the United States. For the most recent admission cycle (Class of 2028), UC Berkeley's overall acceptance rate was approximately 11.6%, reflecting its highly competitive admissions process. This selectivity is driven by a large and growing applicant pool, with over 125,000 applications received annually in recent years, alongside the university's commitment to academic excellence and limited enrollment capacity. UC Berkeley publishes transparent admission statistics through its official website and the Common Data Set, providing detailed insights into applicant demographics and acceptance trends.

• Overall Acceptance Rate: 11.6% for the Class of 2028, with approximately 125,000 applicants and about 14,500 admitted students, consistent with prior years' competitiveness.
• Early Action/Decision Rate: UC Berkeley does not offer Early Action or Early Decision options as part of the University of California system’s unified application process. All decisions are released in the regular decision round.
• International Student Rate: Estimated at 8.0% based on historical data, as specific figures for the Class of 2028 are not yet publicly available. International applicants face heightened competition due to limited spots and high demand.

Over the past decade, UC Berkeley’s acceptance rate has trended downward, reflecting increasing competitiveness as more students apply each year. The absence of an Early Action or Decision option means all applicants compete in a single, highly selective pool, unlike some peer institutions that boost overall rates through early admissions. Compared to other top public universities like UCLA (around 8.8%) or elite private schools like Stanford (under 4%), UC Berkeley’s selectivity remains in a highly competitive tier. International student admissions have also grown more selective due to global interest in the university’s programs. For the most accurate and updated data, prospective students are encouraged to visit the official UC Berkeley admissions website at admissions.berkeley.edu.