Is the University of California, Berkeley Ranked Among the Top 10 in the World? Discover the Costs and Application Requirements for UC Berkeley

The University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) is distinguished internationally, recognized as a top-tier public research university located in Berkeley, California, within the San Francisco Bay Area. UC Berkeley consistently offers abundant educational resources, making it a dream institution for many international students. Interested in the application requirements for UC Berkeley? This article will explain UC Berkeley’s ranking and tuition fees, providing prospective students with a thorough understanding of this prestigious university.

Source: Visit Berkeley

UC Berkeley is globally renowned for its research achievements across various fields. The UC Berkeley research team has discovered 16 chemical elements, marking one of the greatest achievements in chemistry. Known for fostering innovation, UC Berkeley has produced many notable alumni who have significantly contributed to the tech industry, including Gordon E. Moore, co-founder of Intel, and Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple. Additionally, Professor Jennifer Doudna, a chemist and biologist, received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2020 for her work on CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technology. UC Berkeley alumni have collectively won 35 Nobel Prizes across various fields such as Medicine, Chemistry, Physics, and Economics [1], showcasing the university's research excellence and capabilities.

Apart from academic achievements, UC Berkeley also excels in athletics. The California Golden Bears, the university's sports teams, compete in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and have achieved notable success in sports like football, rowing, basketball, swimming, and baseball. UC Berkeley alumni have won a total of 223 Olympic medals (121 gold, 56 silver, and 46 bronze) [2], ranking fourth among U.S. universities in Olympic medals.

Source: Freepik

Is UC Berkeley highly ranked? UC Berkeley consistently ranks at the top in various prestigious global university rankings. In the 2024 U.S. News & World Report, UC Berkeley was ranked 15th overall and 1st among public universities [3]. The QS World University Rankings (2025) placed UC Berkeley 12th globally and 6th in the United States [4]. In the 2024 Times Higher Education World Rankings, UC Berkeley was ranked 9th worldwide and 6th in the U.S. [5]. The university is particularly renowned for its engineering programs, with popular departments like Civil and Structural Engineering, Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, and Chemical Engineering all ranked within the top three globally.

UC Berkeley's application process focuses on the comprehensive development of applicants, assessing capabilities through overall academic performance, course rigor, other tests, and extracurricular activities. The university has a test-optional policy, not requiring standardised test scores for application. Prospective students are also encouraged to submit letters of recommendation, which help assess their academic performance, passion for learning, leadership qualities, and creativity [6]. Prospective students must also meet UC Berkeley's English proficiency requirements; the university requires a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 or a TOEFL score of 80 or higher [7].

Source: Freepik

According to the official website, international students undertaking an undergraduate degree at UC Berkeley can expect to pay approximately $52,269 per annum, which includes tuition for two semesters and other fees. Additionally, estimated living expenses (including accommodation, meals, books, and personal expenses) amount to about $21,600 per academic year [8]. International students can also apply for a range of scholarships to help offset these costs.

As a leading American university, UC Berkeley offers high-quality education and extensive resources. The insights provided on UC Berkeley’s rankings and tuition fees will help students better understand the university’s offerings. Those interested in applying to UC Berkeley should note the application requirements and associated costs. For more information on studying in the USA, contact Cyclopes' professional education consultants for tailored study abroad advice.

Reference:

1. UC Berkeley：Alumni Nobel Prizes

https://www.berkeley.edu/alumni-nobel-prizes/

2. California Golden Bears Olympic Medals

https://calbears.com/sports/2013/4/17/208193984

3. 2024 U.S. News & World Report：Best National University Rankings

https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities?_sort=rank&_sortDirection=asc

4. 2025 QS World University Rankings：University of California, Berkeley (UCB)

https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/university-california-berkeley-ucb

5. 2024 Times Higher Education World Rankings：World University Rankings 2024

https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2024/world-ranking

6. UC Berkeley： First-Year Policies

https://admissions.berkeley.edu/apply-to-berkeley/freshmen/freshman-policy-changes/

7. UC Berkeley：Requirements for International Students

https://admissions.berkeley.edu/requirements-for-international-students/

8. UC Berkeley：International Student Expenses

https://internationaloffice.berkeley.edu/students/current/expenses