UC Berkeley Acceptance Rate: Class of 2030 Admissions Statistics

UC Berkeley admitted 14,502 students out of 126,843 applicants for the Class of 2029, yielding an 11.43% acceptance rate, continuing a decade-long trend of growing selectivity.

Unlike many private universities, Berkeley does not offer Early Action or Early Decision with all applicants being reviewed in the same cycle. Berkeley has yet to release decisions for the Class of 2030, which are expected in late March 2026 through the MAP@Berkeley portal.

In this blog, we’ll walk through UC Berkeley’s latest overall, transfer, and waitlist acceptance rates and see how they’ve changed over time.

• UC Berkeley Acceptance Rates
• Why UC Berkeley Doesn’t Offer Early Admissions
• UC Berkeley Transfer Acceptance Rate
• UC Berkeley Waitlist Acceptance Rate
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

UC Berkeley Acceptance Rates

UC Berkeley’s overall acceptance rate for the Class of 2029 was 11.43%, a slight increase from the 10.98% recorded for the Class of 2028. This came as applications rose from 124,242 to 126,843, while the number of admitted students also increased from 13,639 to 14,502.

UC Berkeley’s overall acceptance rate has declined notably over the past decade, falling from above 17% to around 11% in recent years. Here’s the complete picture:

Note: All data has been compiled from UC Freshman Fall Admissions Summary.

Applications surged roughly 51% from 85,045 for the Class of 2021 to a peak of 128,210 for the Class of 2026, a period that coincided with the widespread adoption of test-optional policies following the pandemic. Since then, application volumes have remained elevated but relatively stable in the 124,000–127,000 range.

The number of admitted students, meanwhile, has fluctuated more noticeably, ranging from 13,301 for the Class of 2022 to 16,295 for the Class of 2025. That combination of rapidly growing applications and a relatively constrained admit pool drove the acceptance rate from 17.11% for the Class of 2021 down to a recent low of 10.98% for the Class of 2028. The slight recovery to 11.43% for the Class of 2029 reflects a modest increase in admitted students rather than any pullback in applications.

Why UC Berkeley Doesn’t Offer Early Admissions

UC Berkeley does not offer Early Action or Early Decision. As part of the University of California system, Berkeley follows a single application deadline of November 30 for all applicants. This is a deliberate system-wide policy across all nine undergraduate UC campuses, rooted in equity and access.

Early programs can unintentionally favor students from more privileged backgrounds who have access to college counselors and prep resources, so the UC system opts for a single unified round to ensure no applicant is disadvantaged simply because they couldn’t apply early. Volume is also a factor, as the UC system collectively receives over 250,000 undergraduate applications each year. Decisions are released to all applicants in late March.

A small exception exists: a limited number of applicants, primarily nominees for the Regents’ and Chancellor’s Scholarships, receive their decisions in February, slightly ahead of the general pool. However, Berkeley is clear that this is not Early Action or Early Decision in any formal sense, and students cannot apply or request to be considered for early notification.

UC Berkeley Transfer Acceptance Rate

UC Berkeley is one of the more transfer-friendly major research universities in the country, largely due to its structured pathway for California community college students. Here’s the most recent transfer data:

Note: Transfer data is from UC Berkeley’s Student Profile Official page.

At 24.13%, Berkeley’s transfer acceptance rate is significantly higher than its first-year rate of 11.43% for the Class of 2029, though it remains competitive. Transfer applicants are evaluated on different criteria than first-year students, primarily college coursework and major preparation rather than high school records.

UC Berkeley Waitlist Acceptance Rate

The most recent waitlist data comes from the Class of 2028, when UC Berkeley admitted less than 1% of students from the waitlist. Here’s the breakdown:

Note: Waitlist data is from UC Berkeley’s Common Data Set for the Class of 2028.

At just 0.33%, UC Berkeley’s waitlist acceptance rate is extremely low, showing that the waitlist is one of the least likely paths to admission.

The number of students admitted from the waitlist can vary year to year depending on enrollment needs and yield rates, but the figures above illustrate just how slim the odds typically are. If you find yourself on UC Berkeley’s waitlist, read our UC Berkeley waitlist guide to learn the strategic steps you can take to maximize your chances.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is UC Berkeley’s current acceptance rate?

The most recent confirmed acceptance rate is 11.43% for the Class of 2029. UC Berkeley received 126,843 applications and admitted 14,502 students.

2. Does UC Berkeley offer Early Action or Early Decision?

No. Like all UC campuses, Berkeley does not offer EA or ED. All applicants share the same November 30 deadline and receive decisions in late March. A small number of students, primarily Regents’ and Chancellor’s Scholarship nominees, may hear back in February, but this is not a formal early admissions round.

3. How hard is it to transfer to UC Berkeley?

More accessible than its first-year rate suggests. The most recent transfer acceptance rate is 24.13%, with 5,641 admitted out of 23,377 applicants. Eligible California community college students may also qualify for the Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) program.

4. What are my chances of getting off UC Berkeley’s waitlist?

Very slim. For the Class of 2028, only 26 students were admitted from a waitlist of 10,894, a 0.33% waitlist acceptance rate. Students are strongly encouraged to commit to another school by May 1 rather than rely on waitlist admission.

5. Why is UC Berkeley’s acceptance rate so low?

Berkeley attracts over 125,000 applications annually but can only admit a fraction of those students. That gap between high demand and limited spots is what drives the acceptance rate down to just above 11%.

Takeaways

• UC Berkeley’s acceptance rate has dropped significantly, from 17.11% for the Class of 2021 to a recent low of 10.98% for the Class of 2028, before ticking up slightly to 11.43% for the Class of 2029.
• Unlike many selective universities, Berkeley offers no Early Action or Early Decision round. All applicants compete in the same pool under the same deadline, with no timing advantage available.
• Transfer admission is notably more accessible than first-year admission, with a 24.13% transfer acceptance rate, though the TAG program remains the most reliable pathway for California community college students.
• Waitlist admission is extremely unpredictable and historically very rare, with only 26 students admitted from the waitlist for the Class of 2028, a 0.33% rate.
• As Berkeley becomes increasingly selective, having an experienced college admissions expert in your corner can be invaluable. The right support can help you sharpen your application, highlight your strengths, and put your best foot forward when it matters most.