UC Berkeley’s engineering programs are known for their high level of competitiveness, with admission rates ranging from 6.9% to 9.9%. Among the various engineering majors offered at the university, the mechanical engineering program stands out for its rigorous admission process. For the class of 2025, the admission rate for mechanical engineering was 8.2%, with an average GPA of 3.91 and an average SAT score of 1497.

In order to be considered for admission to UC Berkeley’s mechanical engineering program, applicants must meet certain requirements. These typically include a strong academic background with high grades in math and science courses, as well as competitive standardized test scores. Additionally, strong letters of recommendation, a well-written personal statement, and extracurricular activities related to the field of engineering can strengthen an applicant’s candidacy.

The admission process at UC Berkeley is highly selective, with each application undergoing a thorough review by the admissions committee. In addition to academic criteria, the university evaluates applicants based on their personal qualities, leadership potential, and contributions to their community. As one of the top-ranked engineering programs in the country, UC Berkeley’s mechanical engineering program attracts a large number of highly qualified applicants, making the competition for admission particularly fierce.

Major	Admission Rate	Average GPA	Average SAT Score
Computer Science	6.9%	3.93	1520
Engineering	8.2%	3.91	1497
Economics	9.5%	3.88	1483
Biology	10.2%	3.87	1475
Political Science	11.1%	3.85	1460

UC Berkeley Engineering Acceptance Rate By Major

What major is UC Berkeley known for

The College of Engineering is recognized globally as a leader in engineering education. Our reputation for intellectual rigor, our talent for developing technologies that improve quality of life and our entrepreneurial spirit are reflected in our faculty and students, and by our physical environment.

This is what Berkeley Engineering looks like:

Students4.52 average GPA (weighted, uncapped) of accepted applicants29.9% of the student body are women24.3% are international students	Faculty245 faculty76 faculty, active and emeriti, in the National Academy of Engineering 24 recipients, active and emeriti, of distinguished teaching awards
12.2%Percentage of freshman applicants admitted for the 2020-21 academic year	$110,000Median starting salary reported by 2020 undergraduates joining the workforce

Program	Undergraduate enrollment	Graduate enrollment
Bioengineering	464	228
CEE	383	366
Computational Biology	N/A	28
EECS	1,692	762
Engineering Science	207	N/A
IEOR	203	186
Materials Science	133	158
Mechanical Engineering	698	333
Nuclear Engineering	69	89
Joint majors	20	N/A
Undeclared	111	N/A
Applied Science & Technology	N/A	39
Total enrollment	3,892	2,155

How many students are admitted into engineering?

For the 2020–21 academic year, there were 15,881 freshman applicants to the College of Engineering and 12.2% were admitted.How does Berkeley decide whom to admit?

What AP tests will I get credit for?

The College of Engineering awards AP credit for most AP tests. Depending upon the test and score, students will receive UC credit and/or College of Engineering subject credit. More information can be found in the College of Engineering Undergraduate Guide – Exams.

If I apply for the fall and plan to take the SATs/ACTs in January after the application deadline, will you delay the review of my admission application until you receive the January scores?

UC will not consider ACT or SAT test scores for admissions decisions or the awarding of Regents and Chancellors scholarships for any applicants. If you choose to submit test scores as part of your application, they may be used for course placement after you enroll.

UC berkeley acceptance rate by major

Although a minimum of three years of college preparatory math is required, we strongly recommend completing four years. Since engineering admission is very competitive, applicants must do more than the minimum, particularly in math and science. Exceeding minimum requirements and doing well in these subjects prepares new students for the rigors of university work, especially in engineering.

Do I need to complete high school physics?

A minimum of two years of laboratory science is required for admission. We strongly recommend completing physics even if the minimum has been completed (the usual pattern is biology and chemistry). If admitted to Berkeley, new students must complete college-level physics as part of the lower division requirements for their engineering major. A high school physics background prepares students for university-level physics.

Does Berkeley Engineering consider the alternate major on the admission application?

No. Berkeley Engineering does not consider the alternate major. However, other UC campuses might.Can I change my major on my application?

Applicants may change their college and/or major during the November application filing period only by contacting the Office of Undergraduate Admissions no later than November 30. Once admitted to Berkeley, students may only apply to change major after completing at least one semester at Berkeley.

There are minimum requirements, including GPA requirements, progress requirements, and coursework requirements in some cases, so students are advised that change of major is not guaranteed.

If I am unable to attend the semester for which I am admitted, will you defer my admission?

Admission to Berkeley Engineering is valid only for the term in which the applicant is admitted. However, if there are extenuating circumstances, the applicant may apply for a deferral through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

If I’m an out-of-state or international student, can I establish residency for tuition purposes?

It’s extremely difficult for an out-of-state or international student to establish residency. Therefore, all out-of-state and international students should expect to pay non-resident tuition for each of their undergraduate years at Berkeley. Learn more at the Office of the Registrar website.

Is it difficult to switch majors within engineering?

The earliest that freshmen can apply to change their major is after completion of their first semester. Some of our majors are more impacted than others (currently EECS and BioE), so a change of major into these programs is competitive and requires more than one semester completed before application. Students considering a change of major should meet with their Engineering Student Services adviser.

Is it difficult to switch out of engineering into another college?

Students who decide to switch out of the College of Engineering should meet with their assigned Engineering Student Services (ESS) adviser to discuss the process.

Is it difficult to get into courses?

Being flexible is the key to getting into courses on the Berkeley campus. Berkeley Engineering students are required to take, at a minimum, two technical courses (math, science, engineering) that fulfill requirements for their major and a total of 12 units. Some of these courses offer several lecture sections along with several sub-sections of discussions and/or labs. With careful planning and some flexibility, students should be able to get into the courses they need. For more information please refer to registrar.berkeley.edu/registration/enrollment.

UC Berkeley Engineering Majors

Bachelors
Bioengineering	86
Civil Engineering	81
Electrical Engineering & Computer Sciences	452
Joint Major Bioengineering and Materials Science & Engineering	2
Joint Major Electrical Engineering & Computer Sciences and Materials Science & Engineering	0
Joint Major Mechanical Engineering and Nuclear Engineering	0
Joint Major Materials Science & Engineering and Mechanical Engineering	0
Joint Major Materials Science & Engineering and Nuclear Engineering	0
Energy Engineering	10
Engineering Math & Statistics	7
Engineering Physics	11
Environmental Engineering Science	2
Industrial Engineering & Operations Research	42
Materials Science & Engineering	36
Mechanical Engineering	177
Nuclear Engineering	12
Total Bachelors:	897
Masters
Applied Science & Technology	1
Bioengineering	47
Translational Medicine	18
Civil & Environmental Engineering	227
Computer Science	14
Electrical Engineering & Computer Sciences	188
Industrial Engineering & Operations Research	152
Materials Science & Engineering	41
Mechanical Engineering	149
Nuclear Engineering	20
Total Masters:	857
Doctoral
Applied Science & Technology	6
Bioengineering	13
Civil & Environmental Engineering	26
Computational Biology	3
Computer Science	38
Electrical Engineering & Computer Sciences	38
Industrial Engineering & Operations Research	16
Materials Science & Engineering	15
Mechanical Engineering	43
Nuclear Engineering	15
Total Ph.D.:	213

When can I apply for admission to Berkeley Engineering?

The UC system’s annual application period is November 1–30 each year for admission for the following fall semester. Learn more about the application process at www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions.

Can engineering students participate in a study abroad program?

Yes, in fact we encourage our students to study abroad. With careful planning, many students can complete a study abroad program without delaying their graduation. However, students who participate in such a program will be granted one additional semester to complete their degree requirements, if needed. Visit our study abroad page for more information.

Which residence halls (dorms) are closest to engineering?

The closest residence hall is Foothill, located at 2700 Hearst Avenue. Bear in mind that first-year engineering students will be enrolling in classes located throughout the main campus. You can find more residence hall information at the Housing website.

What kind of computer should students bring?

In general, students should buy a laptop that is affordable and convenient; there is no particular brand or model that is preferred. For information about software available to Berkeley students

The College of Engineering at University of California–Berkeley has an application deadline of Dec. 1. The application fee is $120 for U.S. residents and $140 for international students. Its tuition is full-time: $11,442 per year (in-state) and full-time: $26,544 per year (out-of-state). The 2020 Ph.D. student-faculty ratio is 5.5:1. The College of Engineering at University of California–Berkeley has 260 full-time faculty on staff.

Graduate students at the UC—Berkeley College of Engineering can complete an advanced degree in eight areas, including Industrial Engineering & Operations Research and Applied Science & Technology.

Earning a master’s in engineering typically takes two years at Berkeley, but students can also opt for the accelerated Berkeley Engineering Professional Master’s Program, which graduates students in just one year. All graduate students must also complete two minors, which can include fields outside of the College of Engineering.

The College of Engineering has about 40 research centers and institutes where students can get involved. Graduate students can live on campus. For a break from school work, students can explore nearby San Francisco or take a quick trip to local beaches. To travel in and around San Francisco, students can take the Bay Area Rapid Transit, which stops a block from campus.

uC berkeley civil engineering acceptance rate

The College of Engineering is recognized globally as a leader in engineering education. Our reputation for intellectual rigor, our talent for developing technologies that improve quality of life and our entrepreneurial spirit are reflected in our faculty and students, and by our physical environment.

This is what Berkeley Engineering looks like:

Students

• 4.51 average GPA (weighted, uncapped) of accepted applicants
• 8% of freshman applicants were admitted for the 2021-22 academic year
• 28% of Berkeley Engineering students are international students

Faculty

• 245 faculty
• 76 faculty, active and emeriti, in the National Academy of Engineering
• 24 recipients, active and emeriti, of distinguished teaching awards

uC berkeley engineering admission requirements

Undergraduate admissions

Ready to apply to Berkeley Engineering? Start here. Applications are available each year beginning August 1, and the annual UC system application period is November 1–30 for admission for the following fall semester.

All applications are administered by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. For more information about the application process and eligibility, visit Berkeley’s admissions website.

The College of Engineering values personal qualities that are considered in reviewing all applicants, including creativity, leadership ability, character, motivation, insight, tenacity, initiative, originality, intellectual independence, responsibility, maturity, written and oral communication skills, as well as demonstrated concern for others and for the community.

Contact

Undergraduate Admissions Office

103 Sproul Hall # 5800Berkeley, CA 94720-5800 (510) 642-3175 Contact Undergraduate Admissions To thrive academically, engineering students must have a strong aptitude for mathematics and science. Common ways in which applicants demonstrate this aptitude include:

• Sustained academic achievement, especially in math and science
• Four years of mathematics, especially including calculus
• At least three years of laboratory science, especially if it includes physics when available at the applicant’s home institution.

uC berkeley engineering majors

Prospective undergraduates to the College of Engineering should apply for admission to a specific program from one of the following:

In this section

• Admitted students
• Junior transfers
• Undergrad FAQs
• Prospective freshman FAQs
• Prospective junior transfer FAQs
• Get ready to apply – freshman
• Get ready to apply – junior transfer
• Change of college
• Department contacts

• Aerospace Engineering
• Bioengineering
• Civil Engineering
• Electrical Engineering & Computer Sciences
• Energy Engineering
• Engineering Mathematics & Statistics
• Engineering Physics
• Engineering Undeclared (freshman applicants only)
• Environmental Engineering Science
• Industrial Engineering & Operations Research
• Materials Science & Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Nuclear Engineering

Students admitted as freshmen may petition to change to a joint major after completing their first year at Berkeley; junior transfer applicants are not able to apply to joint majors. There are also two joint major programs in conjunction with chemical engineering offered through the College of Chemistry; transfer students interested in these programs must apply to the College of Chemistry.

Graduate admissions

In this section

• Graduate school advising
• Graduate student outreach

Webinar

Demystifying the graduate school process, with Meltem Erol, director of graduate student outreach

You’re already well on your path to becoming an engineer. You want to dig deeper in your field of study and work alongside some of the top scholars and researchers in the world — you want to earn a graduate degree. Explore these websites to find the best fit for your areas of interest and for information regarding admissions, programs and deadlines:

Master’s and doctoral programs

• Applied Science & Technology
• Bioengineering
• Civil & Environmental Engineering
• Electrical Engineering & Computer Sciences
• Industrial Engineering & Operations Research
• Materials Science & Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Nuclear Engineering

Master’s programs

• Master of Engineering
• Master of Business Administration/Master of Engineering
• Master of Design
• Master of Translational Medicine
• Master of Molecular Science and Software Engineering