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Harvard University ranks #5 nationally and #7 across the world. The University of California, Berkeley ranks #10 nationally and #13 globally. Analysis of both qualitative and quantitative differences of both the universities is given below.
| University of California | Harvard University | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 8.4 Out of 10 | 10 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 12 QS World University 2025 # 3 QS World University 2024 # 9 Times Higher Education 2024 | # 4 QS World University 2025 # 3 US News 2024 # 4 QS World University 2024 |
| Subject Strength | # 3 for Engineering by US News 2024 # 3 for Data Science and Analytics by QS World University 2024 # 18 for Medicine by QS World University 2024 | # 1 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2024 # 5 for Data Science and Analytics by QS World University 2024 # 1 for Medicine by QS World University 2024 |
| Programs | UG Programs -31 PG Programs -46 Doctorate Programs -13 | UG Programs -40 PG Programs -56 Doctorate Programs -9 |
| Acceptance Rate | 16.4 % | 7.0 % |
| Exam Score | GMAT-700 GRE-310 IELTS-7 SAT-1450 TOEFL-80 | GMAT-620 GRE-300 IELTS-7 SAT-1470 TOEFL-100 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 41196 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 5721 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 56000 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 56550 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 25464 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 32724 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | Some programs and the average salary are:
| Harvard University is one of the top private universities in Cambridge, United States. It is ranked #5 in QS World University Rankings 2023 and ranked #1 in US UNI.
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| application requirements | LORs (usually three); | Teacher Evaluation forms (as additional LORs); Sample of academic work, potfolio, music recordings, art work, etc (supplementary documents); IELTS/TOEFL; Standardized test scores |
| Campuses and B-Schools | Haas School of Business | Harvard Law School Harvard Extension School Harvard Kennedy School Harvard Business School |
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| General Facts | University of California | Harvard University |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1868 | 1636 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 17.8:1 | 7:1 |
| Male:Female | 0% Male, 0% Female | 52% Male, 48% Female |
| Location Facts | Overlooking the San Francisco Bay, UC Berkeley campus is spread over approximately 1,232 acres of land. It is the oldest of the ten campuses of University of California. | Harvard Yard: Campus’s historic hub, Harvard Square: Campus’s personal hagout destination with restaurants, cafe, bookstores, theater, shops. Well connected to the local neighborhood of Boston by public transport, the campus traverses the Charles River to near by Allston. |
| Library | UCB Library is the fourth largest library in USA comprising 24 libraries, 325 employees and 832 student employees. UCB Library has 13 million volumes in 300+ languages which includes printed books, journals, e-books, etc. | Largest academic library in the world. 20.4 million volumes, 400 million manuscript items, 180,000 serial titles. The library offers various grants and fellowships for both students and faculty. |
| Campus Life | UCB consists of the Sather Tower, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Lawrence Hall of Science, Space Sciences Laboratory, UC Botanical Garden, UC Museum of Paleontology, UC Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA). | Students from over 50 states and 80 countries are offered assistance by over 400 official student organization. The campus has its own museum, radio station, magazine and newspaper. Along with student clubs for Aikikai, archery, dance, theatre/drama, music, etc, campus also offers cultural & racial initiatives, asian student centric-projects, etc. Varsity sports, crimson pride and various atheletic teams. |
| Hostel | #Room & Board - $16000 #Room & Board--Apartment - $18000 #Room & Board--Residence Hall - $22000 | #Medium Single - $10719 #Large Single - $13644 #Standard Single - $8361 |
| Famous Alumni | With a total of 520,566 alumni, UCB has 31 Nobel Laureates, 207 Turing Award, 20 Academic Awards, 20 Pulitzer Prize winners. | Eight US Presidents, 62 living billionaires, 242 Marshall Scholars, 359 Rhodes scholars. Barak Obama (ex-president of USA), Michelle Obama (Former First Lady of USA), Mark Zuckerberg, Natalie Portman (Actress), Bill Gates, Conan O’ Brien (comedian writer), Al Gore (Winner-Peace Prize), Matt Damon (Actor), Helen Keller, Subramaniam Swami (Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha) |
| Weather |
As per the general overview of the two universities, given above, it can be said that Harvard University outstands UC Berkeley on various parameters. There are various aspects that an international student must be familiar with when comparing the two universities. Some of these to keep in mind are:
- Cost of Study: The tuition fees for pursuing a degree at the University of California, Berkeley is cheaper than Harvard University.
- Cost of Accommodation: On-campus costs of living at Berkeley is slightly higher than Harvard University.
- Additionally, the city of Berkeley, California is more expensive than the city of Massachusetts.
- Admissions: Comparing the admissions on the basis of acceptance rate and score required for exams to study in USA, getting admissions to Harvard seems difficult.
- Return on Investment: Graduates from Harvard and UC Berkeley are both hired at cushy median salaries. However, salaries offered to Harvard students are slightly better.
- Financial Aid: Both the universities do offer scholarships for international students in USA. Harvard a slightly better scholarship amount to students.
- Value for Money: Forbes ranked UC Berkeley as one of the best value colleges in USA, over Harvard.
- World Reputation: Harvard University aces UC Berkeley by 5 places in World Reputation Rankings.
- Harvard University: #1
- University of California: #6
- Financial Endowment: Harvard University receives maximum financial endowment for higher education institutes in the world.
With all the above-mentioned parameters, the decision inclines towards Harvard University. It is, however, strongly recommended that a student chooses a university-based solely on what will suit them the best.
