Head-to-head · 2026
Stanford University vs University of California-Berkeley
Compare average net price ($13,807 at Stanford University; $13,481 at University of California-Berkeley), ROI score (22.47 vs 17.14), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($124,080 vs $92,446), and admissions selectivity (3.6% acceptance at Stanford University; 11% at University of California-Berkeley) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Stanford University | University of California-Berkeley |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 22.47 ✓ | 17.14 |
| Avg net price | $13,807 | $13,481 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $55,228 | $53,924 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $65,910 | $16,347 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $65,910 | $50,547 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $124,080 ✓ | $92,446 |
| Acceptance rate | 3.6% | 11% |
| Graduation rate | 91.9% | 92.8% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 98.2% ✓ | 96.8% |
| Median debt | $12,000 ✓ | $13,000 |
| Enrollment | 7,554 | 33,068 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1553 | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Stanford University | University of California-Berkeley |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | -$2,536 ✓ | $5,311 |
| Family income $30–48k | -$193 ✓ | $6,501 |
| Family income $48–75k | $3,212 ✓ | $9,693 |
| Family income $75–110k | $11,092 ✓ | $15,074 |
| Family income $110k+ | $53,882 | $34,529 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Stanford University | University of California-Berkeley |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | 12.5% | 5.9% |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 11.6% | 4.4% |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | 3.9% | 5.5% |
| Economics | 2.9% | 5.5% |
| Mechanical Engineering | 3.8% | 3.3% |
| Law | 3.6% | 2.4% |
| Civil Engineering | 3.5% | 2.5% |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | 0.1% | 5.3% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
University of California-Berkeley reports the lower average net price by $326 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $1,304 difference over four years ($53,924 vs $55,228).
Stanford University reports $31,634 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($124,080 vs $92,446). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 98.2% at Stanford University and 96.8% at University of California-Berkeley. Median federal debt among completers is $12,000 vs $13,000, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Stanford University vs University of California-Berkeley, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
University of California-Berkeley is cheaper — average net price $13,481 per year vs $13,807 at Stanford University. The annual difference of $326 adds up to about $1,304 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Stanford University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $124,080 vs $92,446 at University of California-Berkeley. The gap in the federal data is $31,634. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Stanford University is more selective at 3.6% acceptance vs 11% at University of California-Berkeley.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.