Program Fees
The cost of the program is approximately $25,000 per semester, which comes to a total of $75,000, including tuition and campus fees, for the three-semester program.
In addition, students should expect to pay for books, health insurance*, housing, transportation, and other personal costs. The University’s Cost of Attendance estimates for graduate students in 2019-2020 are as follows:
- Housing (Residence Hall Fee/On-Campus Apartment): $18,560 – $21,305/year
- Food: $8,094
- Books and Supplies: $634
- Personal: $2,744
- Transportation: $3,186
Additional University Fees for items like a Cal1 Card
*The University requires that all students have major medical insurance, and provides the Berkeley Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) to meet this requirement. For complete information, please visit the SHIP Website.
- All Master of Development Engineering students will be automatically enrolled in SHIP for the three academic terms of the degree program.
- Students who have comparable insurance coverage may apply for a waiver from SHIP enrollment (and fees). In order to waive SHIP, you must be enrolled in a medical health insurance plan that meets ALL of the waiver criteria guidelines of UC Berkeley for the entire SHIP term. Please note that the waiver criteria may be updated throughout the year. You must meet the waiver criteria in place at the time of your waiver submission to be waived out of SHIP.
All fees are subject to change. The tuition, fees, and charges posted here are estimates based on currently approved amounts. These figures may not be final. Actual tuition, fees, and charges are subject to change by the Regents of the University of California and could be affected by State funding reductions. Accordingly, final approved levels (and thus a student’s final balance due) may differ from the amounts shown.
Financing Your Education
The responsibility of financing the Master of Development Engineering program usually rests primarily with the student. Therefore, we strongly suggest that applicants investigate all available financing options. We have gathered some information on funding sources on this page, although it is not exhaustive and applicants are encouraged to conduct their own research. International students should explore funding opportunities in their home countries.
Master of Development Engineering Admissions Fellowships
The Master of Development Engineering program offers a limited number of competitive partial fellowships. which are both need-based and merit-based. Decisions on merit-based partial fellowships will be based on excellence in academic and professional achievements. Need-based partial fellowships will consider the overall general admissions application and the financial aid information provided. If awarded a department admissions fellowship, we will notify recipients by email before April 15.
Federal Student Loans and Scholarships
If eligible, Master of Development Engineering students may qualify for a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan or Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan to help cover program costs.
Please consult these links for more information:
UC Berkeley Graduate Division Fellowships and Awards
While many awards listed are for students pursuing doctoral studies, we encourage applicants to review the list for potential eligible fellowships.
Scholarships
Academic Student Employment (ASE)
Master of Development Engineering students may apply for ASE appointments in any of the three semesters during which they are enrolled. ASE appointments may reduce some tuition fees up to the total cost of in-state tuition. Though incoming students are eligible to apply, these positions are competitive and the Master of Development Engineering program itself is demanding; students should consider carefully their ability to take on employment in addition to their coursework before committing to a position.
Please review the job descriptions available through UC Berkeley’s Graduate Division to determine what category best fits your needs and interests.
Master of Development Engineering students who are fully sponsored, meaning all fees are paid by a third party or outside agency, may choose to work as GSIs and/or Readers. However, if you are eligible for a fee remission from UC Berkeley, you will receive it only if your sponsoring agency reduces the sponsorship by that amount. Fee remissions will not be paid to the student as a refund if fees are being covered by an outside source.
Veterans Education Benefits
If you are eligible for VA benefits under the Post 9/11 GI Bill (Ch 33), Vocational Rehabilitation (Ch 31), Dependents Educational Assistance (Ch 35), or Montgomery GI Bill (Ch 30, 1606 or 1607), you may use them for the Master of Development Engineering program. However, this program is not eligible for the Cal Vet College Fee Waiver. Please see this information on initiating VA benefits at UC Berkeley, and contact the Veterans Benefits unit in the Office of the Registrar with any questions.
Fee Payment Plan
UC Berkeley’s Fee Payment Plan allows for qualified semester fees to be paid in five monthly installments. Interested applicants can read more here.
Aid for International Students
International students are encouraged to visit the Berkeley International Office Financial Aid page, and to take advantage of the resources it provides.
