Head-to-Head Comparison
University of California-Berkeley vs Washington University in St Louis
- California-Berkeley Wins
- 20
- Tied
- 20
- Washington St Wins
- 14
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of California-Berkeley offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Washington University in St Louis achieves a higher graduation rate (94% vs 93%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $21,786 compared to University of California-Berkeley's $13,481. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, University of California-Berkeley's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
California-Berkeley
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $92,446 ten years after enrollment, 7% more than Washington University in St Louis
- Lower cost: Average net price of $13,481, roughly $8,305 a year less
- Less debt: Median debt of $13,000, the lower of the two
Washington St
No clear advantage detected in core metrics.
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
California-Berkeley graduates concentrate in Computer Science & IT (19% of degrees); Washington St in Engineering (14%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick University of California-Berkeley over Washington University in St Louis. Median earnings of $92,446 ten years after enrollment vs $86,182.
Pick University of California-Berkeley over Washington University in St Louis. Net price $13,481 vs $21,786.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
University of California-Berkeley and Washington University in St Louis are close on paper, but University of California-Berkeley wins the head-to-head, leading on 4 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
University of California-Berkeley is the harder admit. It takes 11% of applicants, while Washington University in St Louis takes 12%.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, University of California-Berkeley sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, University of California-Berkeley comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $13,481, about $8,305 a year below Washington University in St Louis's $21,786. Graduates of University of California-Berkeley also borrow less: median debt of $13,000, against $17,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $33,220 before any change in aid. Choosing University of California-Berkeley leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, University of California-Berkeley graduates report median earnings of $92,446, compared with $86,182 at Washington University in St Louis. That is a 7% advantage. Set against borrowing, University of California-Berkeley has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.14x to 0.2x.
So what: An earnings gap of 7% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick University of California-Berkeley to keep costs and debt down.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 5 of 6 core signals used here; where one school is missing a figure, that row is left out of the comparison rather than estimated.
Counterintuitive Insights
Their academic identities diverge. University of California-Berkeley concentrates enrollment in Computer Science & IT, while Washington University in St Louis leans toward Biology & Biomedical. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Engineering-focused students: Washington University in St Louis has the stronger engineering programs.
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of California-Berkeley's enrollment of 33,068 far exceeds Washington University in St Louis's 7,857.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $21,786 runs well above University of California-Berkeley's $13,481.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $17,500, against $13,000 at University of California-Berkeley.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Washington University in St Louis's enrollment, and University of California-Berkeley is stronger here.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Washington St holds onto its admits more tightly: 48% of admitted students enroll, versus 46% at California-Berkeley — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Washington St offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; California-Berkeley does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 6 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Research (Times HE) 4 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
University of California-Berkeley
Berkeley, CA · Public
The University of California-Berkeley has a remarkable graduation rate of 93%. This high rate indicates strong student support and a commitment to student success. With an acceptance rate of just 11%, selectivity is high, making it a competitive choice for prospective students.
According to Chetty/Opportunity Insights data, UC Berkeley is a strong performer in economic mobility. While specific mobility rates are not provided, the school is known for propelling graduates into high-earning careers. The median earnings for graduates after ten years is an impressive $92,446, suggesting substantial return on investment for students.
The net price of attendance is around $13,481, and the median debt for graduates is $13,000. This manageable debt level, combined with high earning potential, makes UC Berkeley an attractive option for students. Those who thrive here typically have strong academic backgrounds, are motivated, and are seeking opportunities in fields like Computer Science, Engineering, and Social Sciences.
Washington University in St Louis
St. Louis, MO · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 12%, Washington University in St. Louis attracts driven students looking for a rigorous academic environment. It’s a great fit for those interested in fields like engineering, biology, social sciences, computer science, and business. The graduation rate of 94% reflects a supportive community that helps students succeed and achieve their goals.
Life after graduation looks promising, with alumni reporting an average earnings of $86,182 ten years out. This figure highlights the potential for financial stability in a variety of career paths. While nearly 18% of students receive Pell Grants, the school’s commitment to affordability helps ensure that students from different economic backgrounds can thrive.
On the financial side, the net price after aid stands at $21,786, and the median debt for graduates is $17,500. This manageable debt load suggests that students here often leave school with a solid foundation for their financial futures. Those who tend to thrive are often self-motivated and eager to engage deeply with their studies and the campus community.
Rankings They Appear On
Washington University in St Louis is featured on the Best Colleges in Missouri ranking.
Top Degree Programs
California-Berkeley's top program is Computer Science (19% of enrollment), while Washington St leads with Mechanical Engineering (14%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for California-Berkeley) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Washington St).
The two schools feed different job markets. University of California-Berkeley is strongest in Computer Science & IT, while Washington University in St Louis concentrates in Business & Marketing. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into University of California-Berkeley or Washington University in St Louis?
University of California-Berkeley is harder to get into, admitting 11% of applicants compared with 12% at Washington University in St Louis.
Which is more affordable, University of California-Berkeley or Washington University in St Louis?
University of California-Berkeley is more affordable, with an average net price of $13,481 after aid versus $21,786 at Washington University in St Louis.
Do University of California-Berkeley or Washington University in St Louis graduates earn more?
University of California-Berkeley graduates earn more: median earnings of $92,446 ten years after enrollment, versus $86,182 at Washington University in St Louis.
Which has a better graduation rate, University of California-Berkeley or Washington University in St Louis?
Washington University in St Louis has the higher graduation rate, 94% versus 93%.
Should you choose University of California-Berkeley or Washington University in St Louis?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose University of California-Berkeley if affordability and lower debt come first. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
More Comparisons
View all →Weigh Your Options
Best Colleges in America
How do California-Berkeley and Washington St stack up against regional and national alternatives when evaluated on pure socioeconomic mobility, graduate earnings, and long-term return on investment? Explore the full, verified dataset on our comprehensive rankings directory.
