Abhyank Srinet 
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- What Are the Berkeley Haas MBA Fees in 2025–26?
- What Are the Living Expenses for Berkeley Haas MBA Students?
- Which Scholarships and Financial Aid Options Does Berkeley Haas Offer?
- What Part-Time Work Can Berkeley Haas MBA Students Do?
- What Work-Hour Rules Apply to Berkeley Haas MBA Students?
- What Do Berkeley Haas MBA Fees Mean for Indian Applicants?
Berkeley Haas MBA fees for international students are approximately ₹85.20 lakh ($89,033) for tuition and required fees in 2025–26, while the official first-year cost of attendance is approximately ₹1.28 crore ($133,655). Indian applicants should plan a two-year budget of approximately ₹2.62–₹2.63 crore ($273,993–$275,329), depending on the year-two increase. Haas offers merit-based and need-based scholarships, while the Class of 2025 reported a median base salary of approximately ₹1.60 crore ($167,250). These figures make Berkeley Haas a high-investment MBA that should be evaluated against career goals, loan burden and expected post-MBA earnings.
Introduction
A top MBA can reshape your career, but only when the financial plan is as strong as the application. The Berkeley Haas Full-time MBA is a two-year programme offered by the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley. Its Bay Area location, close employer relationships and rigorous curriculum attract professionals aiming for careers in technology, consulting, finance, entrepreneurship and general management.
For international students, Berkeley Haas MBA fees require careful planning because the first-year non-resident budget is approximately ₹1.28 crore ($133,655). This guide explains tuition, living costs, scholarships, part-time work rules and the financial considerations Indian applicants should assess before committing to the programme.
What Are the Berkeley Haas MBA Fees in 2025–26?
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The official Berkeley Haas MBA fees for the 2025–26 academic year are approximately ₹73.49 lakh ($76,788) for California residents and ₹85.20 lakh ($89,033) for non-residents. Indian and most other international students should use the non-resident figure when building their initial budget.
The tuition figure is only one part of the total investment. Haas publishes a full cost-of-attendance budget covering housing, food, books, transport, health insurance and personal expenses. Applicants comparing the programme with other options can also review the complete Berkeley Haas MBA programme guide after understanding the cost structure below.
Current Berkeley Haas MBA Fees
| Cost Component | California Resident | Non-Resident |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition and fees | ₹73.49 lakh ($76,788) | ₹85.20 lakh ($89,033) |
| Housing and food | ₹27.76 lakh ($29,008) | ₹27.76 lakh ($29,008) |
| Books and supplies | ₹71,966 ($752) | ₹71,966 ($752) |
| Transportation | ₹3.61 lakh ($3,768) | ₹3.61 lakh ($3,768) |
| Health insurance | ₹7.51 lakh ($7,848) | ₹7.51 lakh ($7,848) |
| Personal expenses | ₹3.11 lakh ($3,246) | ₹3.11 lakh ($3,246) |
| Total annual budget | ₹1.16 crore ($121,410) | ₹1.28 crore ($133,655) |
These are official estimated amounts and may change after approval by the University of California Regents. Haas also notes that optional clubs, treks and student activities are not included in the published cost of attendance. Applicants should therefore keep a separate buffer rather than treating the official budget as a guaranteed maximum. The latest figures are available on the school’s costs and financial aid page.
Financial Aid Options
Berkeley Haas MBA fees can be funded through a combination of personal savings, scholarships, education loans and employer sponsorship. International applicants are not eligible for US federal loans, but Haas lists private and international student loan options. The right mix depends on the applicant’s savings, collateral, co-signer access, scholarship result and expected repayment capacity.
Do not build a financial plan that assumes a scholarship or part-time income. A safer approach is to prepare a base plan that covers the full cost, then use any scholarship as a reduction in borrowing. Applicants should also compare interest rates, currency risk, moratorium terms, processing charges and prepayment conditions before selecting a lender.
What Are the Living Expenses for Berkeley Haas MBA Students?
The Berkeley Haas MBA fees budget estimates housing and food at approximately ₹27.76 lakh ($29,008) for one academic year. This is the largest expense after tuition and can vary depending on whether a student lives alone, shares accommodation or chooses university-affiliated housing. Berkeley, Oakland, Emeryville and Albany are common areas considered by MBA students.
The official budget also includes health insurance, local transport, books and personal costs. These allowances are useful for financial-aid planning, but actual spending depends on rent, travel, lifestyle and healthcare choices. Students who already have qualifying health coverage may be able to explore a waiver, subject to university rules.
| Living-Cost Area | Official Annual Estimate | Planning Note |
|---|---|---|
| Housing and food | ₹27.76 lakh ($29,008) | Sharing accommodation may reduce personal spending. |
| Health insurance | ₹7.51 lakh ($7,848) | Check university waiver conditions before budgeting a lower amount. |
| Transportation | ₹3.61 lakh ($3,768) | Actual cost depends on commuting and personal travel. |
| Books and supplies | ₹71,966 ($752) | Course choices may affect required material costs. |
| Personal expenses | ₹3.11 lakh ($3,246) | Keep an additional emergency reserve where possible. |
Which Scholarships and Financial Aid Options Does Berkeley Haas Offer?
A major part of planning Berkeley Haas MBA fees is understanding that Haas offers need-based and merit-based scholarships to entering MBA students. Prospective students are evaluated for fellowship and scholarship funding, and many awards do not require a separate application unless the online application specifically asks for additional information. Funding is competitive and meeting an eligibility condition does not guarantee an award.
International candidates may also be considered for awards designed for global students. Examples published by Haas include the David S. Ng Fellowship, valued at approximately ₹1.05 crore ($110,000), and the Dr. Tahir Fellowship, valued at approximately ₹38.28 lakh ($40,000), with a preference for international students who completed their undergraduate education in Asia. Award availability and criteria can change by cycle.
- Merit scholarships: assessed using the strength of the overall admission application.
- Need-based scholarships: require applicants to demonstrate financial need under the stated process.
- Second-year awards: additional opportunities may be available to continuing students.
- International loans: options may be available with or without a US co-signer, depending on the lender and current school arrangements.
- Employer sponsorship: applicants returning to their organisation can present a business case for partial or full support.
Applicants should review the latest criteria on the official Berkeley Haas scholarship page before relying on any named award.
What Part-Time Work Can Berkeley Haas MBA Students Do?
Part-time work may reduce only a small portion of Berkeley Haas MBA fees and daily expenses, but it should not be treated as a solution for the full cost. The programme is academically demanding, and international students must follow immigration rules before accepting any paid or unpaid role. On-campus positions may include research, administrative, library or student-support work, subject to availability and hiring requirements.
Off-campus employment is more restricted. F-1 students generally need appropriate authorisation, such as Curricular Practical Training for eligible practical experience connected to the curriculum. Students should confirm every role with the Berkeley International Office before starting work, including internships, consulting projects or unpaid positions.
| Work Option | What Students Should Know |
|---|---|
| On-campus employment | May be permitted within the official weekly limit while the student maintains valid status. |
| Research or administrative roles | Availability is limited and depends on department needs, skills and recruitment. |
| Summer internship | Usually requires the correct practical-training authorisation before employment begins. |
| Freelance or off-campus projects | Do not assume these are permitted; obtain immigration guidance and authorisation first. |
What Work-Hour Rules Apply to Berkeley Haas MBA Students?
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When managing Berkeley Haas MBA fees, F-1 students should remember that those with a UC Berkeley-issued I-20 may work on campus without separate employment authorisation, but the normal limit is 20 hours per week during the fall and spring semesters. Eligible students may work more than 20 hours during the summer between semesters, provided summer is not their first or final semester and they continue to meet immigration conditions.
Off-campus work is not automatically permitted. It must fit an authorised category and usually requires approval before the start date. The safest approach is to discuss the role with Berkeley International Office rather than relying on an employer’s interpretation of visa rules. The official on-campus employment guidance should be checked whenever a work arrangement changes.
How Berkeley Haas Supports International Students
Haas provides career coaching, internship support, employer engagement and access to university immigration resources. The MBA’s STEM designation can also support eligible international graduates seeking the standard period of Optional Practical Training and a possible 24-month STEM extension, subject to US government rules and employer eligibility.
These opportunities strengthen the programme’s career value, but they do not remove visa risk or guarantee employment. Students remain responsible for maintaining status, obtaining authorisation and ensuring that each role is related to their permitted training category.
Spieker Admissions Brief for New Applicants
The existing Spieker Admissions Brief video can remain in this position on the live page while supporting readers researching Berkeley Haas MBA fees. Place a short descriptive caption under the embed explaining that it introduces the Haas MBA experience and helps new applicants understand the programme before evaluating Berkeley Haas MBA fees.
What Do Berkeley Haas MBA Fees Mean for Indian Applicants?
Indian applicants should plan around the non-resident annual budget of approximately ₹1.28 crore ($133,655), not only the tuition amount. Using Haas’s guidance to apply a 5%–6% increase to the second-year cost, the full two-year planning range is approximately ₹2.62–₹2.63 crore ($273,993–$275,329). Optional travel, clubs, treks and currency movement can push the final amount higher.
A practical funding plan normally combines family savings, an education loan, scholarship applications and an emergency reserve. Compare secured and unsecured Indian loans on total repayment rather than only the advertised interest rate. Because the loan may be in rupees while earnings may later be in dollars or another currency, applicants should stress-test repayment under weaker exchange rates and slower job-search timelines.
The official Class of 2025 median base salary was approximately ₹1.60 crore ($167,250), with 86% of job seekers receiving offers within three months. These results support the programme’s long-term value, but salary, location, taxes, visa outcomes and opportunity cost differ for every graduate. Indian applicants should judge Berkeley Haas MBA fees against their own target role, realistic compensation and debt tolerance.
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Conclusion
Berkeley Haas MBA fees can support a strong long-term investment for applicants seeking a globally recognised MBA with access to the Bay Area business ecosystem, but the decision requires a complete financial plan. Review tuition, living costs, scholarships, borrowing terms, visa restrictions and career fit together, then choose the programme only when the expected value supports your long-term goals and repayment comfort.
