University of California, Berkeley – Tuition and Fees

University of California, Berkeley - Tuition and Fees

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      By Susan Guillory

      (Last Updated – 01/2025)

      Total Cost of Attendance

      UC Berkeley tuition for the 2024-25 school year is $16,608 for in-state students and $50,808 for out-of-state students. This is higher than the national average public college tuition of $11,610 for in-state students and $30,780 for out-of-state students.

      Estimated Costs for 2024-25

      Expenses

      In-State

      Out-of-State

      Tuition & Fees

      $16,608

      $50,808

      Health Insurance

      $4,028

      $4,028

      Living Expenses (On Campus)

      $21,508

      $21,508

      Personal Expenses

      $6,494

      $6,494

      Total Cost of Attendance

      $48,638

      $82,838

      Financial Aid

      More than half of the students (62%) have some sort of financial aid to help cover UC Berkeley tuition. That includes scholarships, grants, and loans.

      Generally, financial aid is monetary assistance awarded to students based on personal need or merit. Students that qualify for financial aid can use it to pay for college costs like tuition, books, and living expenses.

      The federal government is the largest provider of student financial aid. However, aid can also be given by state governments, colleges and universities, private companies, and nonprofits. The different types include:

      •  Scholarships: These can be awarded by schools and other organizations based on students’ academic excellence, athletic achievement, community involvement, job experience, field of study, and financial need.

      •  Grants: Generally based on financial need, these can come from federal, state, private, or nonprofit organizations.

      •  Work-study: This federal program provides qualifying students with part-time employment to earn money for expenses while in school.

      •  Federal student loans: This is money borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education. It comes with fixed interest rates that are typically lower than private loans.

      Colleges, universities, and state agencies use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine financial aid eligibility. The FAFSA can be completed online, but note that state, federal, and school deadlines may differ.

      You can find other financial aid opportunities on databases such as:

      •  US Department of Education – Search for grants from colleges and universities by state

      •  College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS) – A global college scholarship application used by select institutions to award financial aid

      Recommended: The Differences Between Grants, Scholarships, and Loans

      Private Student Loans

      When it comes to student loans, there are both federal and private student loans available. At Berkeley, 20% of students take out federal student loans and 7% take out private loans. The average private student loan per year is $6,790.

      Private loans are funded by private organizations such as banks, online lenders, credit unions, some schools, and state-based or -affiliated organizations. While Federal student loans have interest rates that are regulated by Congress, private lenders follow a different set of regulations so their qualifications and interest rates can vary widely.

      What’s more, private loans have variable or fixed interest rates that may be higher than federal loan interest rates, which are always fixed. Private lenders may (but don’t always) require you to make payments on your loans while you are still in school, compared to federal student loans, which you don’t have to start paying back until after you graduate, leave school, or change your enrollment status to less than half-time.

      Private loans don’t have a specific application window and can be applied for on an as-needed basis. However, if you think you may need to take out a private loan, it’s a good idea to submit your FAFSA first to see what federal aid you may qualify for, since it generally has better rates and terms.

      If you’ve missed the FAFSA deadline or you’re struggling to pay for school during the year, private loans can potentially help you make your tuition payments. Just keep in mind that you will need enough lead time for your loan to process and for your lender to send money to your school.

      Recommended: Guide to Private Student Loans

      Projected 4-Year-Degree Price

      Over four years, a degree at Berkeley will cost (based on 2024-25 numbers) approximately $194,552 for in-state students. This is higher than the average four-year program at public universities in the U.S. of $119,640.

      Recommended: California Student Loan & Scholarship Information

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      Undergraduate Tuition and Fees

      Estimated Costs for 2024-25

      UC Berkeley undergraduate tuition and fees for 2024-25 are $16,608 for in-state students and $50,808 for out-of-state students, with room and board being $21,508. There are student loans available to help with these costs.

      Graduate Tuition and Fees

      Estimated Costs for 2024-25

      Expenses

      In-State

      Out-of-State

      Tuition (For Academic Program)

      $15,866

      $30,968

      Health Insurance

      $6,442

      $6,442

      Total Direct Costs

      $22,308

      $37,410

      Berkeley offers several highly-respected graduate programs. For 2024-25, graduate tuition (including fees) is $15,866 for in-state students and $30,968 for out-of-state students. There are graduate loans available to help with these costs.

      Campus Housing Expenses

      Estimated Costs for 2024-25

      In addition to UC Berkeley tuition, students must pay for housing, either on campus or off. While freshmen aren’t required to live on campus, 96% choose to, enjoying amenities in one of the eight residence halls.

      The estimated cost of room and board if you live in an on-campus residence hall is $21,508 for the 2024-25 school year.

      Those opting to live off-campus have many options, and Berkeley offers many resources to help you find the right apartment, duplex, or house for your needs. This guide can help with off-campus living.

      UC Berkeley Acceptance Rate

      Fall 2024

      Number of applications

      124,242

      Number accepted

      13,701

      Percentage Accepted

      11%

      At just 11%, the Berkeley acceptance rate is low, making the university quite competitive.

      Admission Requirements

      Berkeley has high standards for admissions. Here are the things that are required or recommended with your application.

      Required:

      •  Meet the A-G subject course requirements (find out more here )

      •  Have a 3.0 GPA in A-G courses taken in the 10th and 11th grade years (3.4 GPA for non-residents)

      Recommended:

      •  Letters of recommendation

      Profile of a First-Year Student in 2024:

      •  Unweighted GPA: 3.89-4.00

      •  Weighted GPA: 4.31-4.65

      Important Dates:

      •  Application available: August 1

      •  Application deadline: December 2

      •  Financial aid (FAFSA or CA Dream Act) applications open: December 1

      •  FAFSA and CA Dream Act deadline: April 2

      •  First-year decisions posted: End of March

      •  First-year deadline to accept offer of admission: May 1

      Note: UC Berkeley does not offer early admission or early decision.

      SAT and ACT Scores

      UC Berkeley is test-free, meaning you are not required to submit SAT or ACT scores with your application. If you choose to submit them, your scores may be used for placement or credit purposes.

      Since the university is test-free, they no longer report test score percentiles.

      Graduation Rate

      Students who started their studies at Berkeley in 2017 had the following rate of graduation:

      •  4 years: 81%

      •  6 years: 93%

      Post-Graduation Median Earnings

      Berkeley graduates go on to do great things…and get paid well to do them! The median annual salary of graduates is $92,446, whereas the median for all college graduates in the U.S. is $53,747.

      Bottom Line

      Berkeley is an affordable and excellent option for students who live in California. For those who don’t, the price tag can be steep. However, the university notes that roughly two-thirds of students receive some form of financial aid, and that a full 38% of students pay nothing out of pocket for tuition due to grants and scholarships. Graduates also typically earn a significantly higher salary than the average.

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