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College Comparison

UC Berkeley vs University of Michigan: Which is Better?

Side-by-side comparison of acceptance rates, SAT scores, tuition, earnings, and more, updated with the latest College Scorecard data.

School

UC Berkeley

Berkeley, CA

School

University of Michigan

Ann Arbor, MI

Head-to-Head Stats

MetricUC BerkeleyUniversity of Michigan
Acceptance Rate11.7%wins17.9%
SAT Range (25th–75th)N/A1350–1530wins
ACT Range (25th–75th)N/A31–34
Tuition (Out-of-State)$45,627wins$58,072
Avg Net Price$14,979$14,832wins
Median Earnings (10 yr)$92,446wins$83,648
Graduation Rate92.9%93.2%wins
Retention Rate96.8%97.6%wins
Student–Faculty Ratio18:111:1wins
Total Enrollment33,07333,488wins

Verdict

Based on the data above, University of Michigan edges out UC Berkeley on 6 of 9 measurable categories, including key factors like acceptance rate, earnings, and graduation rate. That said, the right choice depends heavily on your major, financial situation, and campus culture fit.

UC Berkeley Strengths

  • Acceptance Rate: 11.7%
  • Tuition (Out-of-State): $45,627
  • Median Earnings (10 yr): $92,446

University of Michigan Strengths

  • SAT Range (25th–75th): 1350–1530
  • Avg Net Price: $14,832
  • Graduation Rate: 93.2%
  • Retention Rate: 97.6%

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