Johns Hopkins vs Berkeley

Johns Hopkins University and University of California-Berkeley, two prestigious institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Johns Hopkins, a private research university in Baltimore, Maryland, boasts a lower acceptance rate (10.6%) compared to Berkeley's (17.5%), a public research university in Berkeley, California. While both universities excel in various disciplines, Johns Hopkins is renowned for its strength in medicine, public health, and engineering, while Berkeley is known for its preeminence in computer science, engineering, and social sciences. Explore the detailed comparison table to delve into further differences, including student body demographics, popular majors, graduation rates, and more, to determine which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Johns Hopkins University	University of California-Berkeley
Overview
Location	Baltimore, Maryland	Berkeley, California
Campus setting	City: Large	City: Midsize
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	96.0%	96.0%
Common app member	Yes	No
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	7.5%	14.4%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $70 Graduate: $75	Undergraduate: $70 Graduate: $120
SAT range	N/A	N/A
ACT range	N/A	N/A
Students submitting SAT score
Students submitting ACT score
Total number of applicants	39,515	112,843
Total number of admissions given out	2,972	16,295
Admitted students who chose to enroll	1,420	6,931
Yield rate	47.8%	42.5%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$74,583	In state: $37,920 Out of state: $67,674
Average net price	$20,680	$17,652
Tuition	$58,720	In state: $11,442 Out of state: $41,196
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $9,736 Meal plan: $7,064	$20,236
Available payment plans	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	66.0% Average amount $45,373	52.0% Average amount $21,406
Students receiving federal student loan	10.0% Average amount $4,894	15.0% Average amount $4,586
Students taking out private loans	3.0% Average amount $23,253	6.0% Average amount $7,122

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	6,132 Men 44.9% Women 55.1%	31,814 Men 45.4% Women 54.6%
Graduate students	25,917 Men 45.6% Women 54.4%	13,222 Men 51.7% Women 48.3%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Moderate
Out-of-state students	N/A	16.9%
International students	22.5%	18.0%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	City: Midsize
Dormitory capacity	2,717	9,630
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	N/A	California New Jersey Texas Virginia New York

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Business Engineering Social Sciences Education	Engineering Business Computer and Information Science Legal Profession Health Professions
Students to faculty ratio	6:1	20:1
Institutional accreditation	Middle States Commission on Higher Education	Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	94.6%	92.8%
Dropout rate	2.6%	6.3%
Transferred out	2.4%	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Systems Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $114,155 Year 2: $111,563 Year 3: $131,276 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $122,031 Year 2: $125,015 Year 3: $130,945 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $111,651 Year 2: $118,848 Year 3: $129,740 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $105,950 Year 2: $108,649 Year 3: $122,951 Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $109,954 Year 2: $101,406 Year 3: $114,349 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $101,186 Year 2: $104,192 Year 3: $113,392 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $99,074 Year 2: $106,421 Year 3: $112,352 Information Science/Studies (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $108,932 Year 2: $100,405 Year 3: $110,364 Finance and Financial Management Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $78,878 Year 2: $98,847 Year 3: $107,818 Economics (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $95,401 Year 2: $91,448 Year 3: $106,834	Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $171,936 Year 3: $191,597 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $122,038 Year 3: $167,052 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $125,250 Year 2: $125,388 Year 3: $161,399 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $126,367 Year 2: $128,868 Year 3: $160,666 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $160,390 Year 2: $142,470 Year 3: $143,984 Information Science/Studies (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $119,358 Year 3: $143,516 Chemistry (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $107,442 Year 2: $63,005 Year 3: $112,973 Optometry (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $74,750 Year 2: $91,363 Year 3: $104,601 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $95,600 Year 2: $85,760 Year 3: $103,738 Applied Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $71,282 Year 2: $65,387 Year 3: $102,543

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Johns Hopkins University (JHU) and the University of California-Berkeley (UC Berkeley)?

Johns Hopkins University (JHU) is a private research university known for its strong focus on research, particularly in medicine and international studies. It has a smaller, more intimate campus environment. UC Berkeley, on the other hand, is a large public university renowned for its breadth of academic programs, especially in engineering, computer science, and the natural sciences. Berkeley offers a more diverse and vibrant public university experience with a larger student body and a strong emphasis on public service.
Which university is better for pre-med studies: Johns Hopkins or UC Berkeley?

Both Johns Hopkins and UC Berkeley are excellent choices for pre-med students. Johns Hopkins has a strong advantage due to its renowned medical school and affiliated hospital, providing unparalleled research and clinical opportunities. UC Berkeley also boasts a strong science program and access to numerous research opportunities in the Bay Area, but the competition for those opportunities can be fierce due to the larger student body. Ultimately, the 'better' choice depends on your individual learning style and preferences.
How do the campus cultures differ between JHU and UC Berkeley?

Johns Hopkins has a more close-knit, academically focused campus culture. Students often describe it as collaborative and research-oriented. UC Berkeley has a more diverse and politically active campus culture. It's known for its vibrant student life, activism, and strong sense of community, though it can feel more impersonal due to its size.
What are the tuition and financial aid differences between JHU and UC Berkeley?

Johns Hopkins, as a private university, has a higher tuition cost than UC Berkeley, which is a public university. However, both universities offer financial aid packages. Johns Hopkins' financial aid is need-based and can be quite generous. UC Berkeley offers financial aid to California residents, making it significantly more affordable for in-state students. Out-of-state tuition at UC Berkeley is still lower than Johns Hopkins' tuition, but the difference is less dramatic.
Which university is stronger in engineering: Johns Hopkins or UC Berkeley?

While Johns Hopkins has a reputable engineering program, UC Berkeley is consistently ranked among the top engineering schools in the world. UC Berkeley's College of Engineering offers a wider range of specializations and has a larger faculty and research budget. Therefore, UC Berkeley is generally considered stronger in engineering.
How do the locations of Baltimore (JHU) and Berkeley (UC Berkeley) affect the student experience?

Baltimore, where Johns Hopkins is located, offers a more urban environment with a rich history and a growing arts scene. Students have access to internships and research opportunities in the city's medical and research institutions. Berkeley, California, is located in the San Francisco Bay Area, a hub for technology, innovation, and diverse cultural experiences. Students have access to a wide range of internships and job opportunities in Silicon Valley and the surrounding areas. The Bay Area also offers a more temperate climate and access to outdoor activities.
What are the acceptance rates for Johns Hopkins and UC Berkeley?

Both Johns Hopkins and UC Berkeley are highly selective universities. Johns Hopkins typically has a lower acceptance rate than UC Berkeley, making it slightly more competitive to get into. However, both universities require strong academic records, standardized test scores, and compelling essays.
Which university is better for international relations or political science?

Both universities offer strong programs in international relations and political science. Johns Hopkins' School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) is a world-renowned graduate school for international affairs, which enhances the undergraduate program. UC Berkeley's political science department is also highly regarded, with a strong focus on research and public policy. The 'better' choice depends on your specific interests within these fields.
How do the research opportunities compare between JHU and UC Berkeley?

Both Johns Hopkins and UC Berkeley are research powerhouses, offering abundant opportunities for undergraduate research. Johns Hopkins is particularly strong in medical and biomedical research, while UC Berkeley excels in a broader range of fields, including engineering, computer science, and the natural sciences. At Berkeley, securing research positions can be more competitive due to the larger student population.
What are some notable alumni from Johns Hopkins and UC Berkeley?

Johns Hopkins boasts notable alumni such as Michael Bloomberg (former Mayor of New York City), Woodrow Wilson (former U.S. President), and Gertrude Stein (writer). UC Berkeley's notable alumni include Steve Wozniak (co-founder of Apple), Earl Warren (former Chief Justice of the United States), and Jennifer Doudna (Nobel laureate in Chemistry).

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