University of California, Berkeley

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at UC Berkeley was $11,928 a year for in-state students and $42,954 a year for out-of-state students.

Usually, colleges raise tuition about 3% each year.

If this information makes going to college seem daunting, remember, the displayed price of tuition doesn't always tell the full story. Many students pay much less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts kick in. Additionally, student loans can make theprice of collegefeel more doable until you're done with college.

Tuition for international students at University of California, Berkeley is $42,954 per year.

University of California, Berkeley meets 84.7% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. First-year students that attend University of California, Berkeley full-time are awarded $31,559 a year in financial aid, on average.

Students in the class of 2023 who had taken out student loans graduated with an average of $16,419 of debt.

In-state vs. Out-of-state Tuition at University of California, Berkeley

University of California, Berkeley is a public institution, which means it offers a reduced tuition rate of $11,928 for in-state students who attend full-time.Non-California residents can expect to pay 42,954 per year for tuition.

Public schools receive funds from the state to help them cover costs. Public insitutions often offer a lower cost of attendance for students who are residents of that state.

Choosing a college where you are eligible for the reduced tuition offered to state residentscan save significant money on the cost of tuition, as well as loans and interest owed. Take the time to check your state's rules for in-state tuition. Each state has different requirements to qualify as in-state resident. Most states require students to have resided in the state for a certain period of time before qualifying. There may be other criteria too, depending on where you live.

Explore other California colleges

University of California, Berkeley International Student Tuition

University of California, Berkeley has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

International students at University of California, Berkeley usually pay around $42,954 per year, before any scholarships or financial aid.

International students are not eligible for federal financial aid, but should research private or University of California, Berkeley-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities.

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University of California, Berkeley Living Expenses, Fees, and More

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Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; room and board, books, transportation and fees are also costs it consider when budgeting for college. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at University of California, Berkeley.

House and Food Costs at University of California, Berkeley

Housing and campus dining at University of California, Berkeley is $22,402 a year. This number includes the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a dining plan that enables you to eat in the school dining facilities.

Board costs may vary depending on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

Cost of Books at University of California, Berkeley

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The real cost of books and supplies depends on the courses you take and the materials required. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy used textbooks and materials.

Yearly Fees

Most schools also have fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

Keep in mind, there could also be other costs associated with participating in special activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Most colleges have resources for students who may struggle to participate because of cost can get help covering these fees.

Transportation costs

The cost of getting around in college depends on a few key factors. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus walkable? Do you plan to bring a car or will you need to use public transportation? All of these questions can drastically impact your estimated cost of transportation. Keeping in mind, first-year students are allowed to park a car on campus.

Where are a college is located can also have a big effect on your transportation budget. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, transportation in an urban area could be costly, but cities may offer more trains, busses and affordable flights to actually get to school. University of California, Berkeleyis in a city in California.

Other Costs

When budgeting for college, don’t forget to take into account personal expenses, like movies, takeouts, furniture or appliances for your dorm or housing, and essentials like laundry detergent, toothpaste and toilet paper.

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Total Tuition and Expenses at University of California, Berkeley

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Now, let’s go over all of the costs we've covered, to get a better idea of the actual cost of attending University of California, Berkeley.

Total Cost of University of California, Berkeley

What will the cost of attending University of California, Berkeley be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition	$11,928
Out-of-State Tuition	$42,954
Room and Board	$22,402
Other expenses	$5,950

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

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University of California, Berkeley Financial Aid

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In 2023, 13,770 of the 32,831 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. University of California, Berkeley meets 84.7% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $31,559 a year. Around 28% of University of California, Berkeley undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. University of California, Berkeley graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $16,419 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$13,197
State Loans	$5,276
University of California, Berkeley-Specific Loans	$1,870
Private Loans	$40,261

Most Common Loans for University of California, Berkeley Students
Federal Loans	27%
Institutional Loans	8%
Private loans	2%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on University of California, Berkeley financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at University of California, Berkeley

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, University of California, Berkeley awarded 13,182 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $370.7 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $29.65 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Net Cost of University of California, Berkeley

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for University of California, Berkeley students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at University of California, Berkeley was $31,559 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of University of California, Berkeley seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
In-State, On-Campus	$-18,667
Net In-state, Off-campus	$-9,664
Out-of-State, On-Campus	$43,918

Note: a negative number can indicate that a refund will be given to use toward other expenses such as housing, fees, and books. In such cases, be sure to reach out to the school directly for any clarification or questions.

What will attending University of California, Berkeley really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families make more informed decisions about the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the University of California, Berkeley's net cost calculator on their website.

University of California, Berkeley Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

University of California, Berkeley does not have guaranteed tuition.

University of California, Berkeley offers an Installment Payment Plan, which allows students to pay tuition in a series of smaller chunks instead of one lump sum.

UC Berkeley Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to make attending more affordable. Some schools offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, students are usually responsible for housing, meal plans, and other expenses.

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

University of California, Berkeley's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

For more information about University of California, Berkeley's endowment, check with the school directly.

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Learn More About University of California, Berkeley

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