About University of California
More than being the home of Silicon Valley and Hollywood stars, California continues its tradition of doing things on a grand scale with the University of California system of 10 universities. With a stellar global reputation, the University of California-Berkley delivers more than gold.
As the first of the UC schools, UC Berkeley started in 1868. Today, all ten campuses participate in UC Online’s Cross-Campus Enrollment System. Students can easily search and enroll in online courses from other UC campuses.
As a 4-year public university, UC Berkeley aims to serve society through such goals as:
- Transmitting advanced knowledge
- Discovering new knowledge
- Functioning as a repository of knowledge
Dating back to January 2013, UC Online offered high-quality online courses to UC students. Today, students may take online undergraduate courses and online graduate programs.
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Accreditation & Licensing
University of California is accredited by:
WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
Type:
4-year, PublicHighest Level Offered:
Doctor's degreeReligious Affiliation:
Not applicableGraduate Enrollment:
13,728Fully Online Graduate Students:
15%Median Debt After Graduation (4-Year Degree):
$13,000Average Undergraduates Receiving Aid:
60%Per Undergraduate Average Aid Award:
$25,091Yellow Ribbon Program:
YesCredit for Military Training:
YesBerkeley moves fast and sets a high bar, especially in early classes. Those courses can be tough and competitive. Students who stay on track early often have a smoother path to finish. This is a rigorous program, not a light one.
Annual tuition is about $50,547, and local living costs add a lot. For many students, the payoff comes over time through strong academics, research access, and career connections. Financial aid can be generous, though office support can vary across the university.
Support at Berkeley can feel different from one office to another. Many students say advising is easy to reach and helpful. Administrative teams are often helpful too. Financial aid is a strong point for many students managing college costs.
Berkeley is a large public university, so some processes can feel less personal at first. Even so, help is available across advising, aid, and academic departments. Students often do best when they use more than one office for support.
UC Berkeley offered a clear online path during COVID. Sophomore year could be completed online. Junior year then shifted to a hybrid format. Online and hybrid classes can fit into a Berkeley degree plan.
The pace stays fast in both formats. Courses are challenging, and expectations are high. Berkeley is a strong fit for students who work well on their own. Good time management matters for keeping up with class and workload.
Support is available when students need it. At a large university, systems can feel less personal at times. Even so, many students can do well with steady planning and consistent effort.
Classes at Berkeley are rigorous from the start. Lower-division courses are often described as weeding people out. The pace is demanding and competitive. Professors are leaders in their fields, and teaching quality is a major draw.
The work can feel intense, but many students find it rewarding when they stay engaged. The class experience reflects Berkeley’s scale. It can feel overwhelming at times, not intimate by default. At the same time, students find strong academic community through research, clubs, and involvement. Teaching connects to real-world work, including hands-on projects, and that practical edge helps explain Berkeley’s strong long-term career upside.
Berkeley is high challenge and high opportunity. Classes are rigorous and fast. Professors are top experts. The culture expects self-direction.
Lower-division weeding-out pressure is real. Competition can be intense. The payoff can be strong over time. Research and networking open real career doors.
But this is not an easy path. Pace pressure can slow progress if students fall behind. Support is mixed across offices. Advisor and aid access can be strong. Administrative care can feel uneven in a large system.
Berkeley is high challenge and high opportunity. Classes are rigorous and fast. Professors are top experts. The culture expects self-direction.
Lower-division weeding-out pressure is real. Competition can be intense. The payoff can be strong over time. Research and networking open real career doors.
But this is not an easy path. Pace pressure can slow progress if students fall behind. Support is mixed across offices. Advisor and aid access can be strong. Administrative care can feel uneven in a large system.
Online Programs offered by University of California
All Programs
Computer Science & IT
Criminal Justice, Safety & Law
Healthcare
Frequently Asked Questions About University of California
Is University of California accredited?
Yes. University of California is institutionally accredited by WASC Senior College and University Commission.
How many online programs does University of California offer?
University of California offers 3 online programs currently listed on GetEducated.
What degree levels does University of California offer?
University of California is focused on master's-level programs.
How should students contact admissions at University of California?
Ready to connect? Check Admission Details to get admissions, tuition, and timeline details directly from the school.
Is University of California expensive, and what are the tuition costs?
Roughly speaking, University of California falls into GetEducated’s $$$ tuition tier, which points to a higher tuition range.
How quickly can I enroll at University of California?
Enrollment at any school can be a quick process; if all required admission requirements are met. This is where students can get hung up and slow down the process by taking too long to gather required documentation.
What should transfer students ask University of California first?
The first thing you must do is order your transcripts from any previous school you attended and have them provided to the new school immediately with the hopes of receiving an unofficial transfer credit evaluation quickly. In an ideal world, students would have an official transfer credit evaluation done prior to committing to enrollment at any school; however with the vast majority of schools, official transfer credit evaluations happen after you are already enrolled, typically in the first semester.
Is University of California military friendly?
University of California shows Yellow Ribbon support. Check Yellow Ribbon eligibility before you apply, since program-level benefits can vary.
How can students request information from University of California through GetEducated?
Comparing schools right now? Request Information to get admissions, tuition, and start-date details sent directly to you.
What documents are most commonly required for University of California applications?
Most listed programs ask for Official College Transcript(s) and Resume/CV. Getting these ready early can keep the application process moving.
Does University of California accept life experience credit?
University of California does not show a school-wide life experience credit policy. Check Transfer Options to confirm transfer-credit options for your specific program.
Are University of California programs fully online or mixed?
University of California programs are primarily listed as Mostly Online, which can help students screen for schedule fit before applying.
What kinds of online programs does University of California offer?
University of California has online program options in areas such as Computer Science & IT and Criminal Justice, Safety & Law; start with the field that best matches your career goal, then compare cost, format, and admissions requirements. Compare Programs to get program, admissions, and cost details before applying.
Do any University of California programs have specialized accreditation?
Program-specific accreditors include Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).
Are any admission tests required for University of California programs?
Some listed programs include GRE requirements, so students should check test expectations before choosing a program.
Do in-state and out-of-state tuition totals differ at University of California?
For programs with both totals published, in-state and out-of-state tuition totals are typically the same.
Do any University of California programs have state authorization limitations?
Some programs show state or location restrictions, so students should confirm eligibility for their state before applying. Check State Eligibility before applying to confirm whether your program is available where you live.
How often can students start at University of California?
Start times per year typically range from 3-6 for most schools. For University of California, students should confirm the next available start date for their specific program before applying.
How should working adults compare University of California programs?
Working adults should confirm program format, total cost, timeline, and application requirements before choosing a path.
What should students compare before choosing a University of California program?
Students should compare accreditation fit, program format, application requirements, total cost, and whether the timeline works with their schedule.
Featured Ranking Reports
University of California is featured in 1 of our ranking reports!
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We provide these comprehensive ranking reports to you, for free. Click on any report below to learn more about how we ranked this school.
Geographic and Educational Overview
University of California is located in California
California at a Glance:
Top Majors in California:
Top Incentives in California:
- Cal Grant Program: Up to $12,570 annually
- Middle Class Scholarship: Up to 40% of tuition and fees
- Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan: Full tuition coverage
Top Career Pathways in California:
- Entry Level: Software Engineer ($95,000)
- Mid Level: Senior Engineer ($150,000)
- Senior Level: Technical Director ($200,000+)
- Required Education: BS Computer Science
- Certifications: AWS, Security+, CISSP
- Entry Level: Clinical Manager ($75,000)
- Mid Level: Hospital Administrator ($120,000)
- Senior Level: Healthcare Executive ($180,000+)
- Required Education: BS Healthcare Administration
- Certifications: ACHE, CPHQ
- Entry Level: Environmental Specialist ($65,000)
- Mid Level: Environmental Manager ($110,000)
- Senior Level: Sustainability Director ($160,000+)
- Required Education: BS Environmental Science
- Certifications: CHMM, PE