The University of California, Berkeley is the world's most famous public university — the top-ranked public university in the United States, and one of the best universities on earth for computer science, engineering, economics and the sciences. For a Pakistani student, Berkeley offers an education that rivals Stanford and MIT at a public-university price, but with one hard fact attached: it gives no need-based institutional aid to international undergraduates, so you must be able to pay the full nonresident bill or win a merit award.
At a glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Berkeley, California, USA (San Francisco Bay Area) |
| Type | Public research university (founded 1868) |
| Nonresident tuition and fees (2026-27) | $57,484 a year, including $39,270 Nonresident Supplemental Tuition |
| Total cost of attendance, nonresident (2026-27) | About $93,944 a year living in a residence hall |
| Application deadline | 30 November 2026 for Fall 2027 entry (UC application) |
| Admission policy | Test-blind — SAT/ACT scores are not considered |
| Aid for international undergraduates | No need-based institutional aid; merit scholarships are limited |
Programmes
Berkeley's strongest programmes are electrical engineering and computer sciences (EECS), computer science, data science, economics, business (Haas School of Business), political science, psychology and the natural sciences. The Haas MBA costs about $89,033 a year, and master's tuition varies from about $30,000 to $78,000 a year by programme. PhD students are usually fully funded. Undergraduate degrees run four years, and the nonresident tuition is the same across all majors — about $57,484 a year in 2026-27, before housing, food, health insurance and personal expenses, which bring the total to roughly $84,000–$94,000 a year depending on the living arrangement.
Fees and funding
The 2026-27 nonresident bill is made up of base tuition of $14,202, a Student Services Fee of $1,386, campus-based fees of about $2,546, and Nonresident Supplemental Tuition of $39,270 — $57,484 in total. Add housing ($16,640) and a meal plan ($7,000) and the residence-hall total is about $93,944. UC tuition is fixed by entering cohort for up to six years, so the rate you start with is the rate you keep — but each new cohort pays more, and the Legislative Analyst's Office has recommended a $6,000 increase in Nonresident Supplemental Tuition at Berkeley, UCLA and UC San Diego from 2027-28, so Fall 2027 entrants should expect higher numbers. Berkeley does not offer need-based institutional aid to international undergraduates, and UC grants do not cover the Nonresident Supplemental Tuition. Plan on paying the full cost, or on a departmental merit award.
Admission
Berkeley takes applications through the UC application, due 30 November 2026 for Fall 2027 entry. It is test-blind, so SAT and ACT scores are not considered at all — your grades, your coursework and your personal insight questions carry the decision. International applicants need strong school results (successful applicants typically have very high grades in their most rigorous available courses) and an English test (TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo) unless their schooling was in English. Berkeley does not offer an early decision round: everyone applies by the same 30 November deadline and hears back in late March.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Berkeley cost for an international student? About $57,484 a year in tuition and fees in 2026-27, and roughly $84,000–$94,000 a year in total, depending on housing.
Does Berkeley give financial aid to international students? No need-based institutional aid for international undergraduates. Merit awards are limited, so most international students pay the full nonresident cost.
Does Berkeley require the SAT? No. Berkeley is test-blind — SAT and ACT scores are not considered for admission.
When is the application deadline? 30 November 2026 for Fall 2027 entry, through the UC application.
Related guides on Pakunii
Study in the USA 2027 · US University Application Deadlines 2027 · US Full Scholarships 2027 · UCLA Profile
Sources and verification: UC Berkeley Financial Aid and Scholarships office 2026-27 cost of attendance (resident $54,674; nonresident about $93,944 including $39,270 Nonresident Supplemental Tuition; tuition and fees $57,484) and UC Office of the President 2026-27 tuition schedule. 2027-28 rates not yet published — confirm on berkeley.edu.