UC Berkeley offers nearly 19,000 students admission to fall 2026 class
UC Berkeley admitted nearly 19,000 students for fall 2026, including 13,982 first-years and 5,284 transfers, with slight declines in offers due to reduced enrollment capacity.
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The University of California, Berkeley announced admission offers to 13,982 first-year students and 5,284 transfer students for the fall 2026 class, totaling nearly 19,000. California residents make up the majority, with 9,400 first-years from 48 of the state’s 58 counties. The admitted class includes students from over 72 countries, reflecting UC Berkeley’s global appeal. Admission decisions were released on March 26 for first-years and April 17 for transfers, with slight decreases in offers compared to the previous year due to reduced enrollment capacity.
Admitted first-year students have an unweighted average GPA of 3.93 and a weighted average of 4.52, with 97% holding a weighted GPA of at least 4.0. Twenty-three percent are first-generation students, and one in four are underrepresented minorities, including African American, Latinx, Native American, Pacific Islander, Hmong, and Laotian students. The class includes notable achievements, such as a world-class diver, a student elected to local office at 18, and an inventor of assistive eyeglasses for visually impaired individuals.
Among transfer students, 5,284 were admitted with an average GPA of 3.8, and 82% are California residents. Forty-three percent are first-generation students, and 27% are underrepresented minorities. Over 93% of transfer admits come from California community colleges, highlighting the university’s commitment to community college pathways. The youngest transfer student is 13, while the oldest is 79, reflecting diverse backgrounds and experiences.
UC Berkeley officials noted robust attendance at admitted student events and high demand for seats, despite a modest reduction in available enrollment. Admissions data were released in coordination with the University of California Office of the President, which also published systemwide admission figures. Officials emphasized the university’s role in engaging top students from California and globally, underscoring the value of a public university education.