UC Berkeley / Financial aid
Paying for UC Berkeley
The sticker price is rarely what families pay. Here is what UC Berkeley actually costs after aid, broken down by income, with the real numbers and a calculator for your situation.
Estimate your cost
An estimate from published averages, not an offer. Always run UC Berkeley's official net price calculator and file the FAFSA/CSS Profile for your real number.
Average net price by family income
The full cost
UC Berkeley cost & aid FAQ
How much does UC Berkeley cost after financial aid?
The average family pays about $17,000 per year at UC Berkeley after grants and scholarships, against a sticker price of $38,000. Use the calculator to estimate your own net price by family income.
What does UC Berkeley cost by family income?
At UC Berkeley, the average total net price (tuition, room, board and fees, after aid) is about $5,800 per year for families earning under $30,000 and about $34,000 for families earning over $110,000. Net price rises with income because most aid is need-based.
Does UC Berkeley offer free tuition?
Yes. UC Berkeley waives tuition for families earning under $80,000 a year. That covers tuition itself; room, board and fees may still apply, so the total cost can be above zero.
Does UC Berkeley give financial aid to international students?
No need-based aid for international students. International applicants should confirm aid policies directly with UC Berkeley's financial aid office.
Does UC Berkeley meet full financial need?
Does not meet full need for everyone. Meeting need means the school aims to cover the gap between its cost and what your family can pay, as determined by the FAFSA and CSS Profile.
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