Let’s be real. Trying to figure out the University of California Berkeley tuition and fees is basically like trying to read a map in a rainstorm. You think you have the number, and then you see a "campus fee" or a "supplemental tuition" charge that wasn't there five minutes ago.
It's confusing. Honestly, it's more than confusing—it’s a full-time job just to track what you actually owe.
Most people just look at the "sticker price" and either panic or think they’ve got it all figured out. But if you’re looking at the 2025-2026 or 2026-2027 academic years, the rules have changed. Thanks to something called the Tuition Stability Plan, your price tag depends entirely on when you walked through the Sather Gate for the first time.
The New Reality: Your "Cohort" Matters
Basically, the UC Regents decided to stop the "surprise" tuition hikes every year. Now, they use a cohort model. If you started in Fall 2025, your base tuition is locked in for up to six years. But if you're a freshman starting in Fall 2026, you're going to pay more than the person sitting next to you who started a year earlier.
For the 2025-2026 academic year, a new California resident undergraduate is looking at about $13,602 in base tuition and another $1,332 for the Student Services Fee.
But wait. That’s just the "systemwide" stuff. Berkeley adds its own "campus fees" on top of that—things like the transit fee for your AC Transit bus pass and the "Instructional Resilience & Enhancement Fee." For 2025-2026, those campus-specific fees add roughly $1,800 to $2,000 to your bill.
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So, if you’re a California resident, your "direct" tuition and fees total is roughly $16,296 to $17,478 depending on your specific program and whether you’re a new or continuing student.
The Out-of-State "Sticker Shock"
If you’re coming from out of state (or from another country), the numbers get aggressive. Fast.
Non-residents have to pay the Nonresident Supplemental Tuition (NRST). For the 2025-2026 cohort, that’s an extra $37,602 on top of the base tuition.
When you do the math, an out-of-state freshman is looking at over $50,000 just in tuition and mandatory fees. That doesn’t include a place to sleep or a single burrito from Northside.
The "Hidden" Health Insurance Fee
Here is the thing most people miss: SHIP.
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The Student Health Insurance Plan is not optional unless you prove you have your own coverage that is just as good. For 2025-2026, SHIP costs about $4,858 for undergraduates.
If you forget to file your waiver by the July deadline, that charge just sits on your bill. You've gotta be proactive here. If you're covered by your parents' plan, file that waiver immediately. It's an easy way to "save" nearly five grand.
What About Graduate Students?
Graduate school at Berkeley is a different beast entirely. Unlike undergraduates, grad students don’t have a six-year tuition lock. Your rates can—and usually do—creep up every year based on inflation.
For the 2025-2026 year, basic graduate tuition and fees for residents are roughly $16,902.
But if you’re in a "Professional" program—think Law, MBA, or Data Science—you get hit with Professional Degree Supplemental Tuition (PDST).
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- Haas MBA: You're looking at over $60,000 a year.
- Law (JD): Close to $40,000 for residents, and way more for non-residents.
- MIDS (Data Science): They charge per unit, roughly $2,850 per unit.
The 38% Rule
Now, before you lose hope, there's a stat the university loves to share: 38% of Berkeley students pay $0 in tuition out of pocket.
This is thanks to the Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan and other grants. If your family makes less than $80,000 a year and you're a California resident, your systemwide tuition and fees are usually covered.
Living Costs: The Real Budget Killer
Honestly, the tuition is only half the battle. Berkeley (the city) is expensive. Like, "how is this tiny room this much money" expensive.
The university estimates "Room and Board" at about $22,398 if you're living in a residence hall. If you move off-campus into an apartment, the school "estimates" your housing and utilities will be around $13,000, but anyone who has ever tried to find a studio near Telegraph Avenue knows that’s... optimistic.
When you add up books, transportation, and "personal expenses," the total Cost of Attendance (COA) for an out-of-state student can hit $80,000 to $86,000 per year.
Actionable Next Steps
If you're actually planning to attend or are currently enrolled, don't just stare at the big number. Do these three things right now:
- Check your cohort year. Look at the UC Registrar’s Fee Schedule to see which specific "lock-in" rate applies to you. Don't look at the "new student" rate if you're a junior.
- File that SHIP waiver. If you have private insurance, the deadline is usually mid-July for Fall. Missing it is literally throwing away $4,858.
- Run the Net Price Calculator. The sticker price is for people who don't get aid. Use the Berkeley Financial Aid Calculator to see what your actual number is. It’s almost always lower than the headline.
Basically, Berkeley is a world-class education with a world-class price tag, but if you know which fees you can waive and how your cohort lock works, you can at least plan for the hit without the surprises.