UC applications for fall 2026 surge to highest level ever

Nearly 252,000 hopefuls from high schools and community colleges applied to attend UC next fall, according to newly released data.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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University of California campuses are seeing a record level of interest from undergraduates hoping to enroll next fall, with nearly 252,000 students applying - more than in any other year and beating the previous record set in 2022 by 209 students. Most applications came from high school students, though the number of California high school applicants declined slightly. Transfer applications from community college students also hit an all-time high of 46,313.

Why it matters

The surge in applications underscores the continued demand for a UC education, even as the university faces challenges such as federal efforts to limit research funding. The record number of applicants puts pressure on UC to accommodate more students, while also raising questions about the competitiveness of admissions.

The details

The University of California saw a 9% increase in applications for fall 2026, with the largest gains coming from out-of-state high school students and community college transfer applicants. UC Berkeley saw a 12% increase in transfer applications and a 5% boost in high school applicants, while UC Santa Cruz had the greatest overall increase of 13,094 additional applications, including a 19% surge in high school applicants. UC Merced, which waived application fees last year, saw a 2% decline in freshman applications but a 24% increase in transfer applications.

  • The University of California released the new application data on February 26, 2026.
  • Freshman applicants will hear back about admissions decisions by the end of March 2026.
  • Transfer applicants will hear back about admissions decisions by the end of April 2026.

The players

University of California

The University of California is a public university system in California consisting of 10 campuses that enroll undergraduate and graduate students.

UC Berkeley

UC Berkeley is the flagship campus of the University of California system, known for its highly competitive admissions process that accepts only 11% of applicants.

UC Santa Cruz

UC Santa Cruz is a University of California campus located on the central California coast, known for its scenic setting and less competitive admissions compared to UC Berkeley.

UC Merced

UC Merced is the newest and most remote campus in the University of California system, located in the Central Valley of California.

Janet Gilmore

A spokesperson for UC Berkeley who commented on the university's record number of applicants.

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What they’re saying

“This past fall we were honored with two Nobel prizes and were once again deemed the nation's top public university by various rankings, and those factors may have contributed to the increase.”

— Janet Gilmore, UC Berkeley spokesperson (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The University of California will continue to work with state lawmakers in Sacramento to secure funding to accommodate the record number of applicants for fall 2026.

The takeaway

The surge in UC applications, particularly from out-of-state and community college transfer students, highlights the continued prestige and demand for a UC education. However, it also raises questions about the university's ability to maintain accessibility and accommodate all qualified applicants amid funding challenges and capacity constraints.