University of California, Berkeley

The University of California, Berkeley (Cal) is a world-renowned public research university founded in 1868. As the flagship campus of the University of California system, Berkeley consistently ranks among the top public universities in the world and competes academically with elite private institutions.

Located in the San Francisco Bay Area, Berkeley's 1,232-acre campus overlooks the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco Bay. The university comprises 14 colleges and schools, offering over 350 degree programs. With a $7 billion endowment and robust state funding, Berkeley maintains world-class research facilities, including Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

Berkeley has a storied tradition of academic excellence, free speech advocacy, and social activism. The university has produced 114 Nobel laureates, 25 Turing Award winners, and 19 Academy Award winners. Berkeley's proximity to Silicon Valley provides exceptional career opportunities in technology and innovation.

The undergraduate student body of approximately 32,000 students represents all 50 states and 100+ countries. As a public university, Berkeley offers significant cost savings for California residents while maintaining generous financial aid for out-of-state and international students.