UTHealth vs Berkeley

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth Houston) and University of California-Berkeley (UC Berkeley) stand as two distinct academic powerhouses, each offering a unique educational experience. UTHealth Houston, a health sciences university, excels in medical and health-related fields, boasting a 98% acceptance rate and a student body predominantly focused on health professions. UC Berkeley, a public research university, shines in a wide range of disciplines, including engineering, computer science, and social sciences, with a highly selective 17% acceptance rate and a diverse student body. While both institutions offer exceptional education, their contrasting acceptance rates, popular majors, student demographics, and graduation rates highlight their distinct identities and cater to different academic aspirations. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to discover which university aligns best with your academic goals and personal preferences.

	The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston	University of California-Berkeley
Overview
Location	Houston, Texas	Berkeley, California
Campus setting	City: Large	City: Midsize
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate		96.0%
Common app member	No	No
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	N/A	14.4%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $60 Graduate: $60	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		112,843
Total number of admissions given out		16,295
Admitted students who chose to enroll		6,931
Yield rate		42.5%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)		N/A
High school GPA	N/A	Required
Recommendation letters	N/A	Not required
High school transcript	N/A	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	N/A	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price		In state: $37,920 Out of state: $67,674
Average net price		$17,652
Tuition		In state: $11,442 Out of state: $41,196
Room & board		$20,236
Available payment plans		Tuition payment plan

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

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	685 Men 12.8% Women 87.2%	31,814 Men 45.4% Women 54.6%
Graduate students	5,111 Men 30.8% Women 69.2%	13,222 Men 51.7% Women 48.3%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Moderate
Out-of-state students	N/A	16.9%
International students	11.2%	18.0%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	City: Midsize
Dormitory capacity	N/A	9,630
First year students are required to live on campus?	N/A	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 Biological and Biomedical Sciences Engineering Public Administration and Social Service Multidisciplinary Studies	Engineering Business Computer and Information Science Legal Profession Health Professions
Students to faculty ratio	5:1	20:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	N/A	92.8%
Dropout rate	N/A	6.3%
Transferred out	N/A	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $98,390 Year 2: $110,432 Year 3: $115,147 Dentistry (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $102,392 Year 2: $103,078 Year 3: $99,217 Medical Illustration and Informatics (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $78,455 Year 2: $72,022 Year 3: $78,922 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $69,110 Year 2: $70,945 Year 3: $72,084 Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $56,954 Year 2: $57,318 Year 3: $69,765 Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $58,516 Year 2: $65,657 Year 3: $63,626 Medicine (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $56,494 Year 2: $55,979 Year 3: $63,269 Dental Support Services and Allied Professions (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,237 Year 2: $57,995 Year 3: $59,156 Public Health (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $49,931 Year 2: $50,375 Year 3: $58,494 Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $47,881 Year 2: $44,508 Year 3: $57,809	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 primary areas of focus for The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth Houston) and University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)?

UTHealth Houston is a dedicated health science center, primarily focused on medicine, dentistry, nursing, and other health-related professions. Its mission revolves around healthcare education, research, and patient care. UC Berkeley, on the other hand, is a comprehensive public research university with a broad range of academic disciplines, including humanities, social sciences, sciences, engineering, and professional schools like law and business. Berkeley emphasizes a holistic educational experience and is known for its strong research output across various fields.
How do the academic programs differ between UTHealth Houston and UC Berkeley?

UTHealth Houston offers specialized programs in health sciences, including medical degrees (MD), dental degrees (DDS), nursing degrees (BSN, MSN, DNP), and various allied health programs. Its curriculum is highly focused on clinical training and research within the healthcare field. UC Berkeley provides a vast array of undergraduate and graduate programs across numerous disciplines. Its academic structure is more diverse, with a strong emphasis on research-intensive programs and a broader range of academic specializations, including fields like engineering, computer science, and the humanities.
What is the research environment like at each university?

UTHealth Houston is a major research institution, particularly in the biomedical and health sciences. It has numerous research centers and institutes focused on areas like cancer, neuroscience, and infectious diseases. Research opportunities are closely tied to clinical practice. UC Berkeley is renowned for its cutting-edge research across all disciplines. It has a large research budget and numerous research centers and institutes, including those focused on areas like artificial intelligence, climate science, and social sciences. Research opportunities are available to both undergraduate and graduate students.
How does the location and campus environment compare?

UTHealth Houston is located in the Texas Medical Center in Houston, providing close proximity to hospitals and healthcare facilities. The campus environment is primarily focused on health sciences and is integrated within a large medical complex. UC Berkeley is situated in Berkeley, California, a vibrant city known for its progressive culture and proximity to San Francisco. The campus environment is characterized by a diverse student body, a strong sense of community, and a wide range of extracurricular activities.
What are the admission requirements and selectivity levels?

Admission to UTHealth Houston programs, particularly professional programs like medicine and dentistry, is highly competitive, requiring strong academic records, standardized test scores (MCAT, DAT, etc.), and relevant experience. UC Berkeley is also highly selective, with rigorous admission standards for both undergraduate and graduate programs. Admission is based on academic performance, standardized test scores (SAT/ACT for undergraduates), essays, and letters of recommendation. The selectivity at both institutions is very high.
What are the career prospects for graduates of each university?

Graduates of UTHealth Houston are well-prepared for careers in healthcare, including medicine, dentistry, nursing, and allied health professions. They are highly sought after by hospitals, clinics, and research institutions. UC Berkeley graduates have excellent career prospects across a wide range of fields. They are highly recruited by top companies, government agencies, and research institutions in various sectors, including technology, finance, and academia.
How do the tuition and financial aid options compare?

Tuition and fees at both UTHealth Houston and UC Berkeley vary depending on the program and residency status. Both universities offer financial aid options, including scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs. The specific financial aid packages and costs will depend on individual circumstances and the specific program of study. It's recommended to check the respective university websites for the most up-to-date information.
What is the student life and campus culture like at each institution?

UTHealth Houston's student life is centered around the health sciences, with a focus on professional development and clinical experiences. The campus culture is geared towards preparing students for careers in healthcare. UC Berkeley offers a vibrant and diverse student life, with a wide range of clubs, organizations, and activities. The campus culture is known for its activism, intellectual curiosity, and strong sense of community.
Which university is better for someone interested in a career in healthcare?

UTHealth Houston is the more direct choice for a career in healthcare. Its programs are specifically designed for health science professions, and its location within the Texas Medical Center provides unparalleled clinical training opportunities. While UC Berkeley offers pre-med and related programs, it is not a health-focused institution.
Which university is better for someone interested in a broad range of academic disciplines and research?

UC Berkeley is the better choice for someone interested in a broad range of academic disciplines and research. It offers a wider variety of programs and a more diverse research environment across various fields, including humanities, social sciences, and STEM.

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