University of California (UC): Ranking, Courses, Fees, Admissions 2025

California’s second-largest public university system is the University of California (UC). Known for its campuses in Berkeley, LA and San Diego along with six other locations, UC is one of the popular land grant, research universities. With enrollments touching 295,500 and above, 2,000+ courses and a high graduation rate, make the University of California a popular study option.

About University of California (UC)

The University of California is a public and land-grant university which encompasses 10 campuses under it. The headquarters of the University of California are located in Oakland. The University of California system is the next biggest state university in California after the California State University system. The University of California has completed its 150+ years of operations to date. Technically, the University of California, Berkeley (UCB) is the official flagbearer campus of UC, followed by other campuses.  

Highlights

University of California History

In the year 1849, California state's constitution aimed at establishing a state university. In 1866 the state legislature founded an Agricultural, Mining, and Mechanical Arts College, although it only existed on paper to secure federal funds. Meanwhile, Congregational Minister - Henry Durant founded the private Contra Costa Academy in Oakland in 1853, which later evolved into the College of California by 1855. 

In the year 1857, the land was acquired near Berkeley for a future campus in California, though financial challenges delayed progress. In 1867, Governor Frederick Low proposed merging the College of California with the state college, leading to the establishment of the University of California in 1868. The Berkeley campus opened in 1873 under President Daniel Coit Gilman.

University of California (UC) Campuses

There are 10 campuses within the University of California. The list of the UC campuses is as follows:

1. University of California, Berkeley
2. University of California, Davis (UCD)
3. University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
4. University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC)
5. University of California, Merced (UCM)
6. University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB)
7. University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
8. University of California, Riverside (UCR)
9. University of California, Irvine (UCI)
10. University of California, San Diego (UCSD)

Apart from the 10 campuses at UC, there are 6 academic health centres and 3 national laboratories. Most of the campuses at University of California are well known and ranked well globally. UCB, UCLA and UC Davis definitely make it to the top-ranking institutions globally annually.  

University of California Ranking 2025

Based on 2025 global rankings, various campuses of the University of California have been ranked. Uni of California ranking for its campuses are as follows based on Shiksha's grading and QS Global Rankings:

University of California campuses ranked within 100 are just three, while the other UC campuses rank within the top 500 universities globally. UCB and UCLA usually make it to the top 50 universities annually, whereas, other UC campuses 

University of California Courses

Overall, the University of California offers over 2,000+ courses across undergraduate and postgraduate levels of study. Some of the popularly opted courses across University of California campuses have been tabulated below: 

Based on popular choice, the University of California is renowned for offering the following courses to students:

• MBA
• Computer Science
• Mechanical Engineering
• Business Analytics
• BBA
• Nursing
• MIM

The course offerings may differ for each of the UC campuses in question. Applicants should check the official university website based on their preferred choice. 

University of California Admission

UC admissions vary between high to low selectivity rates, based on different UC campuses. While, popular UC campuses can record high admit rates, the less popular ones record lower acceptance rates. In this section, check out the University of California acceptance rates, campus-wise acceptance rates, enrollment numbers, how to apply for UC admissions and UC application deadlines.   

University of California Acceptance Rate & Enrollment

The overall acceptance rate at the University of California was recorded at 12% for Fall 2023 admissions. To understand campus-wise enrollment and acceptance rates at University of California for Fall 2023 intake, check out the table below:

As given above, it can be noted that UCLA acceptance rate is the lowest among all other campuses of University of California. On the other hand, UC Merced records the highest acceptance rate of 88%, thus making it among the highest acceptance rate in USA. Based on enrollment numbers, UC San Francisco records the lowest numbers, while UC San Diego reports the highest.

How to Apply at University of California?

International freshmen applicants can apply for admission at UC through the UC Application portal. The steps to apply are simple, check them out below:

• Log on to the website and sign up on the portal for the University of California Application.
• After creating an account, select the level of study applicants are opting for.
• Seven sections on the UC Application must be completed before applying. These include:
• About the applicant
• Campuses & majors
• Academic history
• Standardised score reporting of SAT or ACT for if required and GRE or GMAT for PG (usually after applications are submitted)
• Activities and awards
• Scholarships and support programs
• Personal insight
• Once all these sections are completed, review the application and submit it.
• Pay the fee of USD 95 for UG and USD 135 - USD 155 for PG, and keep a copy of the payment, application submission confirmation and UC Application ID.

Documents Required for UC Admissions

Along with the UC admission application, certain documents are required to be submitted. These include:

• Transcripts of high school
• Passport copy
• SAT or ACT score reports (optional)
• IELTS/TOEFL score (both UG and PG)
• Bachelor’s degree (for PG admissions)
• GMAT/GRE score report
• Short admission essay
• Work experience
• SOP
• LOR
• Updated CV

The documentation may also vary for different campuses of UC, based on the levels of study. Thus, applicants should make a checklist and proceed with the application filing.

UC Application Deadlines

There are two intakes at University of California - Fall and Winter/Spring intake. The application filing deadlines for both these intakes are as follows:

Each university of the UC may have different timelines for submissions. Thus, applicants must check the UC campus website before applying for admission.  If applicants need clarity on which intake to choose, they must consider checking out expert advice at - Admission Intakes in USA - Which One to Choose?

University of California Fees 2025

As compared to other state universities in California, the cost of studying in USA at UC is slightly higher. The cost of attending UC is USD 80,628 for international students at the UG level, whereas, the costs can vary between USD 40,000 - USD 60,000 for PG applicants. Check out the bifurcation below. 

University of California Tuition Fees

For 2025, the cost of attendance at UC for undergraduate students is as follows: 

California is a popular destination to study in the USA. Also, California is home to one of the leading state universities in the USA - UC. Thus, thousands of international students thrive to study here. Check out the cost of living in USA to compare accommodation options.  

Why Study at University of California?

Apart from being home to some of the popular universities like UCB, UCLA, UC Davis and UC San Diego, there are other reasons why applicants should consider studying at the University of California. Check them out below:

• UC is a diverse public university and admits students from different backgrounds. Apart from American nationality, students enrolled come from 90+ more nations. 
• Unlike other popular universities in the USA, the University of California has a very high graduation rate, that is, 86%.
• Though international students are not eligible for national scholarships, they can still graduate debt-free with low-interest education loans from UC.
• There are 2,000+ courses plus hundreds of majors available at campuses of UC for admission. Thus, a plethora of course choices. 
• Applicants can opt for on-campus employment or part-time jobs in USA to support living costs while studying at UC. Students can take up research assistantships also.
• There are four inventions per day on average at the University of California, thus, it is renowned for its research as well. 

Based on the above-mentioned reasons, applicants can consider applying to various campuses of UC. 

Ready to embark on your academic journey at one of the world's leading university systems? The University of California offers a diverse range of programs, world-class faculty, and a vibrant campus life. To learn more about the application process, admission requirements, and financial aid options, contact our expert counsellors today. Your future begins at UC.