University of California-Berkeley's published cost of attendance is $45,619, but need-based aid reshapes what families actually pay. Low-income families see a net price of approximately $5,311, while middle-income families pay around $9,693, and higher-income families pay approximately $34,529.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $45,619 |
| Tuition and Fees | $50,547 |
| Room and Board | $23,750 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,131 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$32,138 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $13,481 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $5,311 |
| $30–48k | $6,501 |
| $48–75k | $9,693 |
| $75–110k | $15,074 |
| $110k+ | $34,529 |
University of California-Berkeley's published cost of attendance is $45,619, but need-based aid reshapes what families actually pay. Low-income families see a net price of approximately $5,311, while middle-income families pay around $9,693, and higher-income families pay approximately $34,529. Azimuth ranks University of California-Berkeley #129 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. The gap between sticker price and what families actually pay can be substantial — see the net price illusion for how published costs compare with real out-of-pocket expenses. Berkeley's aid structure draws on federal, state, and institutional sources. Work-study is available as part of the aid package, per the financial aid page, and the California Dream Act Service Incentive Grant Program extends aid eligibility to qualifying students, broadening access across income levels. Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application, and the university participates in state Cal Grant programs alongside its institutional grant offerings. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $13,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $28,508; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $96,018, median federal debt of $13,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $147 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use .
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt-to-earnings data not available.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Graduates of University of California-Berkeley earn median earnings of $96,018 four years after enrollment, placing University of California-Berkeley in the 93.8 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. That figure runs well above the $65,228 median at comparable institutions (same control and size band). Graduates earn about $7,513 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the university in the 81.7 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks University of California-Berkeley #62 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern at University of California-Berkeley reflects a broad but analytically oriented program mix. Social Sciences is the dominant program family, accounting for 18% of degrees, followed by Engineering at 11% and Business at 4%. Computer Science combines high enrollment with strong pay, making it a key driver of the university's overall return profile. Azimuth ranks Computer Science #5 nationally for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions , with 848 graduates earning median earnings of $204,379. The Economics program graduates 799 students with median earnings of $135,050, and Azimuth ranks the program #7 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions. Among the largest programs, Artificial Intelligence (669 graduates) and Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (528 graduates) enroll substantial cohorts, with Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering graduates earning median earnings of $200,543 — Azimuth ranks the program #2 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions. The Berkeley Engineering department describes itself as known for its "collaborative culture" with "numerous opportunities for both students and faculty to explore and interact with researchers," a characterization that corresponds to the concentration of high-earning quantitative programs across the institution.
