Savanna Hoffman
International students can pay for UC Berkeley through various means, including scholarships, private loans, and institutional financial aid. The cost of attendance for UC Berkeley is estimated to be $46,221 for in-state students and $78,795 for out-of-state students for the academic year 2025-26. This includes tuition and fees, food and housing, books and supplies, and transportation and personal expenses. To obtain an F-1 student visa, international students must provide proof of financial support, typically in the form of a certified bank statement showing at least $42,000 from a sponsor. UC Berkeley offers need-based and merit-based financial aid, with the average need-based scholarship awarded to first-year students being $32,488, and the average non-need-based scholarship being $9,358. Additionally, UC's Tuition Stability Plan keeps tuition the same for up to six years, helping students plan their finances. Private loans are also an option for international students, with many organizations providing assistance to students from specific regions or countries.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tuition fees for in-state students | $16,832 |
| Tuition fees for out-of-state students | $51,032 |
| Total cost for in-state students | $46,221 |
| Total cost for out-of-state students | $78,795 |
| Average net price for in-state students | $16,396 |
| Average net price for out-of-state students | $65,136 |
| Average need-based scholarship or grant for first-year students | $32,488 |
| Average non-need-based scholarship or grant for first-year students | $9,358 |
| Median federal loan debt among borrowers who completed their undergraduate degree | $13,000 |
| Nonresident supplemental tuition for new out-of-state students | $37,602 |
| Nonresident supplemental tuition for graduate academic programs | $15,102 |
| Nonresident supplemental tuition for professional degree programs | $12,246 or $13,674 |
| Work-study | On-campus federally subsidized hourly wage job program |
| Private loans | Provided by a variety of organizations and institutions |
| Tuition Stability Plan | Keeps tuition the same for up to six years |
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What You'll Learn
Scholarships and grants
The Berkeley International Office (BIO) offers scholarships and grants to international students to support their academic achievements, leadership qualities, and contributions to the UC Berkeley community. These include the Berkeley International Achievement Awards and the BIO Scholarship for Continuing Students. Additionally, UC Berkeley provides fellowships to graduate students from all departments and programs, allowing them to collaborate with peers and professionals in their field.
UC Berkeley also offers MBA scholarships for students pursuing a Master of Business Administration degree. For students pursuing postgraduate scholarships, external funding is a primary source of support, and they may seek outside resources for funding. Each year, UC Berkeley students receive over $10 million in external funding.
The average need-based scholarship or grant awarded to first-year students at UC Berkeley is $32,488, while the average non-need-based scholarship is $9,358. To be eligible for scholarships, students typically need a high school or graduate cumulative GPA between 3.00 and 3.5 or above.
In addition to scholarships and grants, UC Berkeley offers other financial aid forms, such as work-study programs and loans. The Tuition Stability Plan ensures that tuition remains the same for up to six years, helping students plan their finances.
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$116.52 $120
Loans from private institutions
UC Berkeley offers a range of scholarships and financial aid options to support international students. While the university is selective in awarding scholarships, there are other options available, including loans from private institutions.
When exploring loans from private institutions, international students at UC Berkeley can consider the following options:
- Private Student Loans: These loans are specifically designed for students and may offer competitive interest rates and flexible repayment options. Students can research and compare different lenders to find the best terms that suit their financial needs.
- Collateral-free Loans: Some institutions, such as Leap Finance, offer collateral-free loans for international students studying in the US. These loans can provide funding for tuition, transportation, and personal expenses, with interest rates starting as low as 8.5%.
- Country-specific Loans: International students can explore private loan options specific to their home country. These loans may have more favourable terms and eligibility requirements for students from certain countries.
- Online Lenders: There are also online lenders that cater specifically to international students, offering quick and convenient loan applications and funding options.
It is important for international students to carefully evaluate the interest rates, repayment terms, and eligibility criteria before committing to any loan from a private institution. Additionally, students should be mindful of their overall financial situation and seek guidance from the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office at UC Berkeley to ensure they make informed decisions regarding their educational financing.
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Work-study programmes
UC Berkeley offers work-study programmes as part of financial aid packages to help international students pay for their education. The programme encourages students to seek part-time employment while enrolled in school, allowing them to earn money to cover educational expenses rather than relying solely on loans. The jobs offer schedule flexibility to balance school commitments and work obligations.
To get started, students can log in to their CalCentral account and access the Student Portal to the Work-Study Management System (WSMS). Here, they can search for job listings, either by category or by sorting through the job headings. UC Berkeley's Public Service Center provides several programmes for students interested in community engagement, including work-study jobs. For example, the Alternative Breaks Program involves week-long trips to diverse communities to learn about social issues, while the BUILD Literacy Tutoring Program is a K-12 outreach initiative that teaches children to read.
Additionally, students can explore work-study opportunities with on-campus or off-campus employers. On the Work-Study Management System, students can sort job listings by employer and contact the company directly if they don't see any current openings. It is important to note that students must complete the HR hiring/onboarding process to become formal employees and begin their work-study jobs.
Through the work-study programme, international students at UC Berkeley can gain valuable work experience while contributing to their educational expenses, making their college experience more financially manageable.
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Merit-based and need-based aid
UC Berkeley's tuition fees are $16,832 for in-state students and $51,032 for out-of-state students. The total cost, including food, housing, books, supplies, and transportation, is $46,221 for in-state students and $78,795 for out-of-state students.
Financial aid is available to help students pay for these costs. However, federal and state financial aid, which includes US federal grants, work-study funds, and loans, are only available to US citizens and certain non-citizens. F-1 and J-1 international students are not eligible for this type of aid.
There are other options for international students seeking financial aid. Merit-based aid, also called non-need-based aid, is awarded for specific talents or academic achievements. The average non-need-based scholarship or grant awarded to first-year students at UC Berkeley is $9,358, excluding any athletic scholarships.
Need-based aid is determined by the student's or their family's ability to pay for college, as calculated by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The average need-based scholarship or grant awarded to first-year students at UC Berkeley is $32,488.
UC Berkeley offers a Tuition Stability Plan that keeps tuition the same for up to six years for both California residents and non-residents. Additionally, undergraduate students can access UC Berkeley's Scholarship Connection Database to search for scholarships that match their profile, including those offered by private corporations and organizations.
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Nonresident supplemental tuition
The University of California, Berkeley, is a public university, and as such, the tuition fees for students are different for residents and non-residents of California. Nonresident supplemental tuition is the additional fee that out-of-state students must pay on top of the standard tuition fees. For the 2025-26 academic year, the nonresident supplemental tuition for graduate academic programs is $15,102. For new out-of-state students, the nonresident supplemental tuition is $37,602.
Nonresident students of California in professional degree programs will pay nonresident supplemental tuition and fees of $12,246 or $13,674, depending on the program, in addition to the amount shown in the chart. Double majors will have a pro-rated professional degree supplemental tuition amount, based on their two programs.
UC Berkeley's tuition fees are significantly higher for out-of-state students. For the 2025-26 academic year, tuition is $16,832 for in-state students and $51,032 for out-of-state students. The total cost, including food, housing, books, supplies, and transportation, is $46,221 for in-state students and $78,795 for out-of-state students. The net price, after aid and scholarships, is $16,396 for in-state students and $65,136 for out-of-state students receiving need-based aid.
Non-need-based aid, also known as merit-based aid, is awarded for specific talents or academic achievements. The average non-need-based scholarship or grant awarded to first-year students is $9,358. UC Berkeley met 87% of its students' financial aid needs.
UC Berkeley does not offer institutional funds to cover nonresident expenses. However, the university does provide a Tuition and Fee Payment Plan, which allows students to pay fall or spring semester tuition and fees in five monthly instalments. Additionally, UC's Tuition Stability Plan keeps tuition the same for up to six years, helping students plan their finances.
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Frequently asked questions
The tuition fees for out-of-state students at UC Berkeley are $51,032. The total cost, including food and housing, books and supplies, and transportation and personal expenses, is $78,795.
International students are not eligible for federal or state financial aid. However, they can apply for institutional financial aid, which includes scholarships, fellowships, need-based awards, merit-based awards, and private loans. Additionally, UC Berkeley offers a Tuition Stability Plan that keeps tuition the same for up to six years.
Yes, UC Berkeley offers a limited number of scholarships and grants to international students based on merit and need. The average need-based scholarship awarded to first-year students is $32,488, while the average non-need-based scholarship is $9,358.
International students are not eligible for work-study positions as part of federal or state financial aid. However, if these positions are not filled, they may be opened up to international students. Additionally, there are on-campus hourly wage job programs that international students can apply for.
