Is University of California-Berkeley Worth It?
Berkeley, CA · Midsize city · 33,068 students · Data: College Scorecard, June 2026 release
University of California-Berkeley is a R1 Research University located in midsize city in Berkeley, CA. It enrolls approximately 33,068 students. The acceptance rate is 11%, making it highly selective. 93% of students finish within 6 years (150% of normal time) — a strong result. With $92,446 median earnings and $13,000 median debt, median debt equals about 2 months of gross pay (estimate) — a solid ROI. 80% of borrowers are making progress on their loans 3 years after leaving school (College Scorecard).
Strongly liberal student body
5.62 liberal students for every 1 conservative student (FIRE survey). Free speech rank 215 of 261, grade F.
Full campus politics breakdown →Source: FIRE 2027 College Free Speech Rankings (student survey fielded 2026 by College Pulse)
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