UC Berkeley College of Environmental Design
The UC Berkeley College of Environmental Design (CED) stands as one of the premier institutions for architecture, landscape architecture, city planning, and urban design education in the United States. Founded in 1959, this distinguished college has shaped generations of designers, planners, and environmental thinkers who have gone on to transform built environments across the globe. CED operates within the prestigious University of California system, benefiting from Berkeley's renowned research infrastructure and interdisciplinary academic culture. The college's mission centers on addressing complex environmental challenges through design innovation, sustainable practices, and social responsibility. CED faculty members are internationally recognized scholars and practitioners who bring cutting-edge research and real-world expertise to the classroom. The college maintains strong connections with professional organizations, government agencies, and community partners throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. CED's approach integrates theoretical foundations with hands-on studio work, preparing students to tackle pressing issues such as climate change, housing affordability, urban equity, and ecological restoration. The college emphasizes collaborative learning and interdisciplinary exploration, encouraging students to work across departmental boundaries and engage with faculty from diverse fields. With approximately 800 students across undergraduate and graduate programs, CED offers an intimate learning environment within a major research university. The college's alumni network includes Pritzker Prize winners, MacArthur Fellows, and leaders in sustainable design movements worldwide. CED continues to evolve its curriculum and research agenda to address emerging challenges in environmental design while maintaining its commitment to design excellence and social impact.
- Acceptance Rate
- 65.0%
- SAT Range
- 1050–1250
- ACT Range
- N/A
- Avg GPA
- 3.25
- Size
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- Type
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- Tuition (In-State)
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- Tuition (Int'l)
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Student Life & Environment
Life at CED revolves around the studio. Architecture and landscape architecture students spend most of their waking hours in Wurster Hall, particularly during final review periods when projects must be completed. The studio culture creates intense bonds among classmates who work side by side through long nights and demanding critiques. Despite the workload, students find time to engage with the broader Berkeley campus and the Bay Area. CED sponsors lectures by prominent designers, planners, and scholars nearly every week during the academic year. These events draw audiences from across the college and beyond, creating opportunities for students to hear directly from leading figures in their fields. Student organizations within CED address professional development, advocacy, and community building. Groups focused on sustainability, social justice in design, and student welfare provide outlets for engagement beyond coursework. The AIAS chapter connects architecture students with a national network of future practitioners. Berkeley's campus offers all the resources of a major research university. Students can take courses in engineering, environmental science, history, or any other field that interests them. The recreational sports program, campus arts venues, and student organizations provide breaks from the intensity of studio life.
Location & Surroundings
Berkeley sits on the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay, with views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Marin headlands from the hills above campus. The Bay Area provides an exceptional setting for studying design and planning, with a rich architectural heritage and ongoing development that raises pressing questions about growth and change. San Francisco's dense urban fabric, Oakland's industrial waterfront, and Silicon Valley's suburban sprawl all lie within easy reach of campus. Students can study how different communities have developed over time and observe current planning debates firsthand. BART connects Berkeley to destinations throughout the region, making field trips and site visits straightforward. The climate is mild year-round, with dry summers and rainy winters. Fog rolls in from the bay on summer mornings, burning off by afternoon. The weather allows for outdoor activity throughout the year, and students often study in the campus's outdoor spaces. Berkeley the city has its own character distinct from San Francisco. Telegraph Avenue south of campus retains some countercultural flavor, while the Gourmet Ghetto to the north offers restaurants that helped launch California cuisine. The downtown area provides everyday necessities, and hiking trails in the East Bay hills are minutes from campus.
Costs & Career Outcomes
UC Berkeley tuition for California residents runs approximately $14,000 per year, with out-of-state students paying closer to $45,000. Graduate professional programs may have supplemental fees. The Bay Area's high cost of living adds significantly to the total expense of attending, with housing in Berkeley often costing $15,000 or more annually. Financial aid packages combine grants, loans, and work-study opportunities. Graduate students may receive fellowships or work as graduate student instructors, which provides tuition remission and a stipend. The architecture program offers some teaching opportunities, though these are limited. Career outcomes for CED graduates are strong. Architecture graduates find positions at firms ranging from small practices to international corporate offices. Planning graduates work for cities, regional agencies, nonprofits, and private developers. Landscape architects enter both private practice and public sector positions. The Berkeley network is valuable throughout the West Coast and beyond. Alumni hold leadership positions at major firms and agencies, and they often hire from their alma mater. The college's career services office maintains relationships with employers and helps students navigate the job search process.
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