Survey: Would you go for Caltech EECS over Berkeley EECS

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Berkeley
21

<p>If someone wants to pay $50k more for a Caltech degree over a Berkeley degree, that’s fine. If the person can afford it and likes the Caltech atmosphere better (smaller, tech focused, more intensive academics, etc). Both programs are fantastic…</p>

<p>For me, I prefer Berkeley’s larger, more varied environment…and I would save $50k. But for some, they would pay that amount over Berkeley because they like it better.</p>

22

<p>

There is no good or bad, both programs are excellent. The question is about FIT. Personally I would pay $50k more for Berkeley because I don’t like the Caltech environment (at least as far as I could tell from my visits). On the other hand, if you feel Caltech is a better fit and you’ll be happier there and that’s worth 50k more to you, that’s understandable as well.</p>

<p>From what it looks like to me Caltech’s program is more theoretical than Berkeley’s. Berkeley’s EECS program will teach you more industry knowledge than Caltech’s. Caltech’s program will teach you more theory, mainly useful for research.</p>

<p>Some things that Caltech can give you but Berkeley doesn’t:

  • Easier access to research. Of course you can also do research at Berkeley, but I would argue that Caltech undergads have more exposure and easier access to it
  • Small classes and individual attention, easier access to professors
  • On average, “smarter” (in a more nerdy way) peers
  • A nicer city :wink:
  • Possibly better opportunities with grad schools and certain companies (mostly focused on research)</p>

<p>But again, there is a long list of things that Berkeley can give you and Caltech DOESN’T. Both schools are simply to different to compare them to one another, that’s why i comes down to if they are a good fit for you, not which one is “better”.</p>

23

<p>Where is the $50k coming from? COA for Caltech is $50k and for Cal it is $25k. The minimum tab at Cal is about $8k, but if your EFC is 0, I can’t imagine getting zero financial aid from Caltech.
I say the worst case difference is 50-25=$25k.</p>

24

<p>I think he’s saying that Caltech costs 50k more than Berkeley over 4 years, not 1 year.</p>