University of California, Berkeley

In 2022, University of California, Berkeley's tuition was $11,928 a year for in-state students and $42,954 a year for out-of-state students.

Usually, college tuition rises about 3% year.

If this makes attending the college of your dreams sound impossible, remember, the "sticker price" of tuition doesn't mean much if you plan to use financial aid to help pay for college. Many students find the actual cost of college is far less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts kick in. Additionally, student loans can make theprice of collegemore manageable until you've finishing school and found a job.

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

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

University of California, Berkeley is a public institution, so it offers a reduced tuition rate of $11,928 for students who qualify as state residents and 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. These institutions offer a lower cost of attendance for those who qualify as California residents.

Choosing an insitution where you are eligible for the reduced tuition offered to state residentscan drastically reduce the overall cost of college. Be sure to check your state's rules for as an in-state resident. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. Most states require students to have resided in the state for a certain period of time before qualifying. There may be additional requirements as well, depending on where you live.

Explore other California colleges

Do International Students Pay More to Go to University of California, Berkeley?

UC Berkeley has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

International students at University of California, Berkeley can expect to pay around $42,954 per year, before any scholarships, grants or other financial aid.

International students usually do not qualify for for federal financial aid, but may qualify for private or UC Berkeley-specific aid and scholarships.

---

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

---

In addition to the cost of tuition, there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at UC Berkeley.

Room and Board Costs at UC Berkeley

Room and board at UC Berkeley costs $21,168 a year. This includes the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a dining plan that allows you to eat in the UC Berkeley's on-campus cafeterias and dining facilities.

Meal-plan costs vary based on on the numnber of meals you intend to eat on-campus

How Much Do Books Cost at UC Berkeley?

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The actual cost of books depends on the courses you take and the textbooks, computer programs, or other materials are required.. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Annual Fees

Most schools charge some yearly fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

Keep in mind, there could also be additional fees associated with participating in certain activities, like Greek Life, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Many schools offer ways for students who may struggle to participate because of cost can get help covering these costs.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Transportation costs at UC Berkeley

The cost of getting around in college can really vary. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Is on-campus parking free, or will you need to budget for parking? Is the campus walkable? Do you own 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.

A school's location can also have a big effect on the amount you'll have to spend just to get around. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the other hand getting around in an urban area might be costly, but there may be more trains, busses and affordable flights to actually get to school. University of California, Berkeleyis located in a urban setting in California, not far from San Francisco.

Other Costs

When you're planning for college, be sure to leave some room in your budget for personal expenses, like movies, takeouts, furniture or appliances for your dorm or housing, and essentials like laundry detergent, toothpaste and toilet paper.

---

Total Tuition and Expenses at University of California, Berkeley

---

Now, let’s go over all of the costs we've covered, to get a better estimate of how much students can expect to shell out for UC Berkeley.

How Much Does UC Berkeley Cost?

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

2022 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition	$11,928
Out-of-State Tuition	$42,954
Room and Board	$21,168
Other expenses	$5,852

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.

---

Financial Aid at University of California, Berkeley

---

In 2022, 13,853 of the 32,143 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. UC Berkeley meets 78.5% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $27,708 a year. Around 28% of UC Berkeley undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. UC Berkeley graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $17,511 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$14,709
State Loans	$6,435
UC Berkeley-Specific Loans	$3,629
Private Loans	$35,265

Most Common Loans for UC Berkeley Students
Federal Loans	27%
Institutional Loans	2%
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 UC 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 2022, UC Berkeley awarded 13,268 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $332.8 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $26.28 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

University of California, Berkeley Net Cost

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 UC 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 UC Berkeley was $27,708 in 2022. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of UC Berkeley seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
In-State, On-Campus	$-12,297
Net In-state, Off-campus	$-5,813
Out-of-State, On-Campus	$46,437

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 UC 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 get a better idea of the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the UC 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.

UC 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 waiver tuition for certain groups, to make attending more affordable. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , 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.

---

Learn More About University of California, Berkeley

---

Click below to find out more about the admissions requirements and deadlines, student life, academics, majors and more.

Overview

Student Life

Academics

Admissions

Visit the College Confidential forums to join the conversation about UC Berkeley