University Of California-Berkeley's published cost of attendance is $42,708 per year for California residents, including $14,850 in tuition and fees, $22,692 for room and board, and $1,273 for books and supplies. Out-of-state students face $45,627 in tuition, significantly increasing total costs.
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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 $42,708 per year for California residents, including $14,850 in tuition and fees, $22,692 for room and board, and $1,273 for books and supplies. Out-of-state students face $45,627 in tuition, significantly increasing total costs. However, the average student pays just $14,979 after financial aid, representing savings of $27,729 from the sticker price.
This net price places UC Berkeley at the peer median of $15,590, making it competitively priced among similar public research universities. The substantial difference between published costs and actual net price reflects UC Berkeley's commitment to need-based financial aid and California's investment in public higher education accessibility. Financial aid targeting helps ensure that students from diverse economic backgrounds can access UC Berkeley's exceptional academic programs and career outcomes.
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt is well below typical first-year earnings — generally considered very manageable.
UC Berkeley graduates demonstrate exceptional debt management, with median debt levels well below national and peer averages. Median student debt reaches $13,000, ranking at the 88th percentile nationally and $7,000 below the peer median of $20,000.
Debt distribution ranges from $5,500 at the 25th percentile to $20,218 at the 75th percentile, indicating most students graduate with manageable borrowing levels. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.14 represents exceptional financial positioning, well below thresholds that indicate repayment stress.
Parent PLUS loans show median debt of $28,000 with monthly payments of $369, though burden analysis requires family income context not available. UC Berkeley's strong debt performance reflects both effective financial aid packaging and California's public higher education investment.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
UC Berkeley represents exceptional educational value, combining top-tier outcomes with reasonable costs relative to career returns. The institution's return index performance at the 97.4th percentile reflects strong long-term financial positioning for graduates.
Earnings beyond expectations of $19,877 annually, ranking at the 94.2nd percentile, demonstrates substantial value addition relative to student inputs. Median earnings of $92,446 compare favorably to median debt of $13,000, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio that supports comfortable repayment across career trajectories.
The net price advantage of $611 below peer institutions, combined with $31,903 higher graduate earnings than peer medians, indicates exceptional return on educational investment. UC Berkeley's combination of selective admission, controlled costs, and outstanding outcomes positions it among the nation's strongest educational values.
UC Berkeley's financial aid strategy emphasizes need-based support with 27.3% of students receiving Pell grants, indicating substantial enrollment of students from families earning under $50,000 annually. The $27,729 average financial aid savings demonstrates significant institutional investment in affordability, supported by federal, state, and university resources.
California's Cal Grant program provides additional state-based aid for eligible residents, supplementing federal aid programs. UC Berkeley's net price competitiveness at the peer median reflects both California's public investment and the institution's aid leveraging effectiveness.
The institution's strong affordability ranking at the 83.3rd percentile indicates cost management success relative to outcomes delivered. Financial aid packaging typically combines grants, work-study opportunities, and moderate loan recommendations, with grants forming the largest component for eligible students.
