University of California, Berkeley – Tuition and Fees

University of California, Berkeley - Tuition and Fees

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      By Susan Guillory

      (Last Updated – 05/2023)

      Total Cost of Attendance

      The University of California at Berkeley (known as UC Berkeley) is located in sunny California, and is known for its high standards for academic excellence. UC Berkeley tuition for the 2023-24 school year for in-state students is estimated at $15,444 and $48,018 for out-of-state students.

      Compare this to the national average of $10,940 for in-state students and $28,240 for out-of-state students.

      Estimated Costs for 2023-24

      Student Type

      In-State

      Out-State

      Tuition & Fees

      $15,444

      $48,018

      Health Insurance

      $3,858

      $3,858

      Living Expenses

      $20,576

      $20,576

      Personal Expenses

      $6,130

      $6,130

      Total Cost of Attendance

      $46,008

      $78,582

      Financial Aid

      More than half of the students (61%) have some sort of financial aid to help cover UC Berkeley tuition. That includes scholarships, grans, and loans. Berkeley is need-blind, which means your ability to pay for your schooling will not be considered with your application.

      Generally, financial aid is monetary assistance awarded to students based on personal need and 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, and non-profit 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 and 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, 15% of students take out federal student loans and 6% take out private loans. The average private student loan per year is $7,122.

      Private loans are funded by private organizations such as banks, online lenders, credit unions, some schools, and state-based or state-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 as it generally may have better rates and terms.

      If you’ve missed the FAFSA deadline or you’re struggling to pay for school throughout the year, private loans can potentially help you make your 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 2023-24 estimated numbers) approximately $184,032 for in-state students. This is higher than the average four-year program at public universities in the U.S. of $111,760.

      Here’s some California Student Loan & Scholarship Information for you.

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      Undergraduate Tuition and Fees

      Estimated Costs for 2023-24

      Student Type

      In-State

      Out-State

      Tuition & Fees

      $15,444

      $48,018

      Room & Board

      $20,576

      $20,576

      Health Insurance

      $3,858

      $3,858

      Total Cost of Attendance

      $39,878

      $72,452

      Students who are residents of the state of California will pay $15,444 for UC Berkeley tuition in 2023-24, $20,576 for room and board, and $3,858 for student health insurance, for a total of $39,878 per year. Students from other states will pay $48,018 for tuition, $20,576 for room and board, and $3,858 for student health insurance, for a total of $72,452 per year. There are student loans available to help with these costs.

      Graduate Tuition and Fees

      Estimated Costs for 2023-24

      Student Type

      In-State

      Out-State

      Tuition

      $15,094

      $30,196

      Health Insurance

      $6,156

      $6,156

      Total Cost of Attendance

      $21,250

      $36,352

      Berkeley offers several highly-respected graduate programs. For in-state students, tuition and fees is estimated at $15,094 in 2023-24 and $30,196 for out-of-state students. There are graduate loans available to help with these costs.

      Campus Housing Expenses

      Estimated Costs for 2023-24

      Student Type

      On-Campus

      Off-Campus

      Books & Supplies

      $1,274

      $1,274

      Room & Board

      $20,576

      $1,148+/mo*

      Other Expenses

      $4,856

      $8,406

      *Starting rate for a studio based on available apartments on Berkeley’s off-campus housing website in 2023.

      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 seven residence halls.

      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 2022

      Number of applications

      128,230

      Number accepted

      14,568

      Percentage Accepted

      11.4%

      At just 11.4%, 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

      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 2016 had the following rate of graduation:

      •  4 years: 81%

      •  6 years: 94%

      Post-Graduation Median Earnings

      Berkeley graduates go on to do great things…and get paid well to do them! The average salary of graduates is $88,046, whereas the median for college graduates in the U.S. is $55,260.

      Bottom Line

      Berkeley is an affordable and excellent option for students who live in California. For those who don’t, the price tag is high, but the benefits are many. And given that Berkeley is need-blind, even if you can’t afford to pay out of pocket, you can still be accepted, as long as you meet the school’s rigorous requirements to qualify.

      SoFi private student loans offer competitive interest rates for qualifying borrowers, flexible repayment plans, and no origination fees.

      View Your Rate

      Photo credit: iStock/Rebecca Todd

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