University of California-Berkeley
Berkeley, CA, USA

Tuition, Cost & Aid

Affordability and Cost

Average Net Price Average net price for full-time, first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates paying the in-state or in-district tuition rate who were awarded grant or scholarship aid from federal, state or local governments, or the institution. Other sources of grant aid are excluded. Aid awarded anytime during the full aid year is included.

Average net price is generated by subtracting the average amount of federal, state or local government, or institutional grant and scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. Total cost of attendance is the sum of published tuition and required fees (lower of in-district or in-state), books and supplies and the weighted average room and board and other expenses.
$19,329
Calculate your net cost
Average Net Price By Family Income
Income
Average Amount
< $30k
$8,450
$30k - $48k
$9,999
$48k - $75k
$13,423
$75k - $110k
$21,601
$110k+
$33,896
Tuition
In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution.
$14,395
Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school.
$44,467
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
  • (amount for on-campus room, board and other expenses * # of students living on-campus.
  • + amount for off-campus (with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus with family
  • + amount for off-campus (not with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus not with family)
divided by the total # of students. Students whose living arrangements are unknown are excluded from the calculation. For some institutions the # of students by living arrangement will be known, but dollar amounts will not be known. In this case the # of students with no corresponding dollar amount will be excluded from the denominator.
$21,402
Books and Supplies
$1,139
Tuition Payment Plan
Yes
Financial Aid: visit page
Financial Aid Email: [email protected]

Aid & Grants

0
100
85%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
26%
Average Aid Per Year
$18,831
Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
26%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$4,224
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$11,350
Students receiving state aid
29%
Average State Grant Aid Per Year
$11,277
Students receiving federal aid
32%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$4,224
Total Needs Based Scholarships/Grants Total amount of grant or scholarship aid awarded to all undergraduates from the federal government, state/local government, the institution, and other sources known to the institution.
$370,684,288
Total Non-Need-Based Scholarships/Grants
$29,648,473

Student Loans

Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
21%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$7,086
Students receiving federal loans
20%
Average Federal Loans Per Year
$4,651
Average Other Loans Per Year
$5,064
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$12,387
Loan Default Rate
3%
US National: 7%
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$129

What Students Are Saying

It's true that as UC Berkeley's funding is shrinking, tuition is increasing. Still, you can't beat the college experience. If you're in the dorms, you'll get a meal plan. You can eat at the buffet-style dining commons, which serves some pretty good food in my opinion. The hall staff organizes a bunch of cool activities for dorm residents. There's tons of free or nearly-free entertainment. You can see student group performances for under $5 a lot of the time. And people-watching on Memorial Glade is always. Half-naked people sun tanning in the middle of campus? Priceless.
Karina from Los Angeles, CA
Berkeley is DEFINITELY cheaper than many other universities in the country, especially if you are a California resident. But it is college and college is never affordable, especially with the recent budget cuts. You have to think about a lot of things like tuition, books, living, food, and other expenses. Berkeley calculates it to about $22,000-$23,000 a year. Your first year might actually be your most expensive. Living in the dorms is definitely more expensive than living off campus because your dorm fees include a meal plan that is actually kind of expensive because it's like you are eating out every meal of everyday. Your next few years may be better if you are living off campus but you have to be able to budget things like rent and groceries for yourself. So it's not as cheap as a community college, but not as expensive as a private schools. However, you are getting a world-class education. So of course it's worth it.
Emily from San Diego, CA
Berkeley is THE best research university in the world. Fees are increasing, and that could be a problem, but if you're family income is below $70,000, they're totally free. For the most part, scholarship opportunities, grants, and student loans (good ones, not the private loans that cost an arm and a leg plus interest) balance out the high cost of living here. Research opportunities at Berkeley are as plentiful as frat parties at any school, including Berkeley ;)
Taylor from Santa Maria, CA
As many people well know, student fees are increasing due to budget cuts, and some student programs have been cut. For example, the Physics tutoring for the 7 series, which would be very helpful, has been cut at the Student Learning Center. Still, there are other sources of tutoring in the dorms, and in general, you will get a great education at Berkeley (hey, it's the top public school in the nation), and you're won't be paying nearly as much as you would for a private university.
Kate from Los Angeles, CA
As an out-of-state student, $57k per year is a heafty payment, so to compensate, my parents were forced to postpone their retirement. While students are actively protesting to decrease this cost, out-of-state students should still take full advantage of what they've payed for and make the most of their Cal experience. It is worth noting that the prestige behind the name UC Berkeley, is one that will carry over to those searching for jobs in competitive markets. Cal alumni have told us stories about how when they submitted their job applications, they were singled out for having been students at Cal, and held above the rest of the contenders.
Jonathan from Saint Paul, MN
I know that California Universities are expensive, but they're worth it. I don't think I've met anyone with more thorough classes, and I've never heard a student say they downright don't like Cal. I would recommend it every time and can't imagine someone who wouldn't fit in somewhere around here.
Whitney from Berkeley, CA
As and in-state student, attending the number one public university in the nation is extremely affordable for the reputation (compared to an Ivy League school, for example). The campus itself offers so much that simply being enrolled is an amazing investment.
Madison from San Pedro, CA
Berkeley is a great school, and academics-wise, it lives up to its stereotype of being a hardcore-study university. The level of enjoyment you'll get here will depend on a number of factors: the classes you take (and how many of them), the professors (and GSIs) you get, and the things you DO in general (socialize vs. studying at home, etc.). But hey- as long as you're here, you're BOUND to find something you'll enjoy. Berkeley's like that.
Clare
A Berkeley education can be pricey, especially if you're from out of state. The dorms are also incredibly expensive; many undergrads, even frosh and sophomores, choose to live in apartments or off-campus student collectives. However, if you're after a degree in STEM-- particularly computer science-- Berkeley is well worth your time and money.
M from NorCal
You'll get your money's worth for sure! There are deals on everything! If you're low on cash for books, you can find online websites just for Berkeley that sell cheap books, or used books that you can return for money back! There are cheap stores located near campus so you don't have to spend much. There are free concerts offered and free previews, free food, free clothing, free music, free books EVERYTHING is free! The only catch is you have to find out where and when. There are so many events that take place on campus that know you're a poor college student, so they reduce prices, or have free previews on certain days and such. The dorms even have their own food plan that is way less than buying food everyday. If you look for cheap housing you will find it! Berkeley is all about freebies. You just gotta catch em all!
Berkelium from SoCal