A year at UC Berkeley now has an estimated price above $50,000 for California residents. The full sticker price for a new in-state student living in a campus residence hall in 2026–27 is $54,674, according to a New York Times report republished by the Mercury News.
Where the money goes
Berkeley's financial aid office lists the 2026–27 budget for a student in a campus residence hall:
- Tuition and fees: $18,214
- Housing: $16,640 (or $20,500 in an on-campus apartment)
- Meal plan: $7,000
- Student health insurance: $5,066
The rest of the budget covers books, personal expenses and transportation. The figures are planning estimates, not bills.
Bay Area comparisons
Among other Bay Area public universities, UC Santa Cruz is closest to the $50,000 mark at an estimated $48,537 for students living on campus, the report said. Estimated costs at four Bay Area Cal State campuses are lower:
- San Francisco State: $38,238
- Cal State East Bay: $31,555
- Sonoma State: $31,192
- San Jose State: $27,483
The fine print
Many students pay far less, the report noted, because plenty get financial aid. The estimated list prices also include health insurance that many students don't need to buy. Housing and meals together ($23,640 in a residence hall) now cost more than tuition and fees ($18,214) in Berkeley's own budget table.