Cornell vs UC Berkeley: Complete Comparison 2026
Side-by-side look at Cornell University and University of California, Berkeley: QS 2026 ranks 16 vs 17. Acceptance, tuition, language tests, and typical IB/A-L…
→ Cornell University profile → University of California, Berkeley profile
Summary comparison
Figures come from the GlobalAdmit dataset — always confirm on each university’s official admissions site.
| Metric | Cornell University | University of California, Berkeley |
|---|---|---|
| QS rank 2026 | 16 | 17 |
| Country | US 🇺🇸 | US 🇺🇸 |
| Acceptance rate | 9% | 11% |
| Tuition (intl / yr) | $65,000 | $48,000 |
| Language (summary) | IELTS 7+ · TOEFL 100+ · Duolingo 120+ | IELTS 7+ · TOEFL 100+ · Duolingo 120+ |
| IB typical | 40/45 | 40/45 |
| A-Level typical | A*AA | A*AA |
Strengths
Cornell University
- Top 30 global recognition in QS World University Rankings 2026.
- Highly selective admissions profile.
- Deep ties to US graduate training, recruiting, and industry hubs.
University of California, Berkeley
- Top 30 global recognition in QS World University Rankings 2026.
- Highly selective admissions profile.
- Major research university scale with broad programme choice.
Popular majors (overlap)
Where both profiles list the same popular major label (case-insensitive).
- computer-science
- economics
- mathematics
- law
- medicine
- engineering-science
- philosophy-politics-economics
- biochemistry
- history
- psychology-philosophy-linguistics
Which is right for you?
If rankings are your north star
Cornell sits higher in QS 2026 (16 vs 17). That often correlates with research intensity and global name recognition — but UC Berkeley can still win on programme fit, city, or cost.
If budget is the deciding factor
All-in signals favour UC Berkeley on tuition plus living costs in our dataset — re-check official fee schedules because currency, programme, and visa rules move yearly.
If you are coming from IB / A-Levels / US high school
Compare the admission tabs on each profile: Cornell vs UC Berkeley can invert depending on whether you are optimising for IB typical offers, A-level expectations, or US-style testing. Use the evaluator after you narrow your list.
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