Fees & Cost of Attendance

The Cost of Attendance (COA) or “budget” for a student is an estimate of that student’s educational expenses for the period of enrollment, and typically spans the nine-month academic year. It includes billed expenses (tuition, fees, health insurance), as well as estimates for non-billed expenses. Students should take into account their own spending and the possibility of unforeseen expenses.

The Higher Education Act of 1965 specifies that a student’s COA includes tuition and fees normally assessed for a student carrying the same academic workload and an allowance for living expenses, such as room and board, books and supplies, personal, and transportation costs. The law also provides limited allowances for loan fees, dependent-care costs, expenses for disabled students, and certain travel and living expenses, among other items. 

AB990 Disclosure:   Information about the market cost of a one-bedroom apartment in the areas surrounding campus where its students commonly reside can be found on the UC Berkeley Housing Resource page (see Off-Campus Housing> Typical Rent ranges)

Your actual expenses may be greater, and it’s important that you know your Cost of Attendance can be increased in certain situations via a Cost of Attendance Adjustment Request. 

If you have comparable insurance, you may waive SHIP enrollment. Visit the University Health Services website for more information. If you qualify and waive SHIP enrollment, these fees will NOT be included in your billed expenses. However, the estimated expenses will still be included in your estimated Cost of Attendance.

“Tuition” at Berkeley Law is actually the combination of a number of campus and program fees, published annually. The Professional Degree Supplemental Tuition (PDST) represents the largest portion of total fees students pay to attend UC law schools. It is important to note that CA residents pay higher PDST than non-residents. However, non-residents also pay Non-Resident Supplemental Tuition (NRST), therefore non-resident total fees and cost of attendance are higher than that of residents.

Students eligible for a non-resident supplemental tuition exemption are assessed the Professional Degree Supplemental Tuition (PDST) at the (higher) resident rate in addition to non-resident supplemental tuition. However, eligible students subsequently receive a waiver for non-resident supplemental tuition. New law students are also assessed a $33 Document Management Fee.

All fees are subject to change. Tuition and fees are typically finalized in July each year. The following tables are for COA estimation purposes only.

Official fee schedules are published on the Berkeley Registrar’s Fee Schedule page: https://registrar.berkeley.edu/tuition-fees-residency/tuition-fees/fee-schedule.

For an explanation of what each fee is comprised of, visit https://registrar.berkeley.edu/tuition-fees-residency/tuition-fees.

More information on tuition and fees at Berkeley is available at the following links:

• http://registrar.berkeley.edu/Registration/feesched.html
• http://universityofcalifornia.edu/regents/policies/3103.html
• http://regents.universityofcalifornia.edu/meetings/agendas/july14.html

Have you heard? Read about PDST-Increase Offset Awards. You may be eligible for a PDST-Increase Offsetting Award beginning in 2020-21 to offset increases in your PDST. See the website for policy and eligibility information. 

In early 2020, the Regents approved a plan for annual increases in the PDST at four UC law schools (UC Berkeley, Davis, Irvine, and Los Angeles). At Berkeley Law, between the academic years of 2019-20 and 2023-24, this will result in a PDST increase of just under $10k for California residents and about $18k for non-residents.

More specifically, a 7.5% PDST increase will go into effect in fall 2020 for the 2020-21 academic year, a 5% resident and 15% non-resident PDST increase will go into effect in fall 2021, and an additional 5% resident and 15% non-resident PDST increase will go into effect in fall 2022 and 2023. 

The increases above are specific to Law J.D. PDST; any other Berkeley Law, campus, or systemwide tuition and fees are subject to change without notice. In general, it is advised to assume a 2-3% increase in other fees each year. Student Services Fee, Berkeley Campus Fee, Class Pass Transit fee, etc., are subject to change and could be affected by increases or reductions in state funding or other developments.

Fees and Cost of Attendance Archives:
2019-20 Fees and Cost of Attendance

2020-21 Fees and Cost of Attendance

2021-22 Fees and Cost of Attendance

2022-23 Fees and Cost of Attendance

Non-residents should note that it is possible to establish California residency for tuition purposes during the first year of law school. Please visit the Office of the Registrar website for more information about establishing residency. This typically results in a $2,000-$4,000 savings on tuition and fees each year.

Use this calculator below to estimate your remaining balance or expected financial aid refund. For estimation purposes only.

The calculator above is for estimation purposes only and is only as accurate as the information you input. Additionally, federal student loan origination fees are set annually. Please visit www.studentaid.gov for the exact origination fees pertaining to the appropriate disbursement period. 

*New law students are assessed a $34 Document Management Fee in their 1L year only. 

**The California Bar Exam Fees will be added to the Cost of Attendance starting the 2023-24 academic year:

• 1L Fall: $119
• 3L Fall: $150
• 3L Spring: $1,463

How to View Bar Fee Budget in CalCentral

Fees and Cost of Attendance Archives:
2019-20 Fees and Cost of Attendance

2020-21 Fees and Cost of Attendance

2021-22 Fees and Cost of Attendance

2022-23 Fees and Cost of Attendance

*New law students are assessed a $34 Document Management Fee in their 1L year only. 

**The California Bar Exam Fees will be added to the Cost of Attendance starting the 2023-24 academic year:

• 1L Fall: $119
• 3L Fall: $150
• 3L Spring: $1,463

How to View Bar Fee Budget in CalCentral

Fees and Cost of Attendance Archives:
2019-20 Fees and Cost of Attendance

2020-21 Fees and Cost of Attendance

2021-22 Fees and Cost of Attendance

2022-23 Fees and Cost of Attendance

You may be eligible to submit a Cost of Attendance Adjustment Request (COAAR).