Cost of Attendance
Tuition and fees in the tables below are charged per semester and are meant to serve as unofficial guidelines. They are set by the Regents of the University of California and are subject to change. Please refer to Registrar’s Fee Schedule and to the Summer Session Fee Schedule for the most up-to-date information.
It is not possible to estimate all costs associated with an optometric education (e.g. immunizations, background checks, safety trainings, etc.) and may be dependent on the student’s choice of externships sites, states in which they are pursuing licensure, and whether the student chooses to pursue residency training post graduation, etc.
Fees By Semester: Fall & Spring 2022-2023
| Fee | CA Resident | Non CA Resident |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $5,850 | $5,850 |
| Professional Degree Supplemental Tuition | $11,011 | $11,011 |
| Non-Resident Supplemental Tuition | 0 | $6,122.50 |
| Student Services Fee | $576 | $576 |
| Berkeley Campus Fee | $717 | $717 |
| Class Pass Transit Fee | $95 | $95 |
| Health Insurance Fee | $3,186 | $3,186 |
| Document Management Fee | $128 | $128 |
| Instructional Resilience & Enhancement Fee | $106 | $106 |
| TOTAL PER SEMESTER | $21,669 | $27,791.50 |
Fees By Semester: Summer 2023
All students enroll in 10 units of summer session in the 2nd and 3rd year of the program.| Fee | CA Resident | Non CA Resident |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate Tuition | $5,230 | $5,230 |
| University Registration Fee | $385 | $385 |
| Class Pass Transit Fee | $48 | $48 |
| ESTIMATED TOTAL PER SEMESTER | $5,663 | $5,663 |
Possible Fee Reductions
After the first year of the program, non-resident U.S. citizens and permanent residents may apply to become in-state residents. This will reduce your fees by removing the non-resident supplemental tuition. Details pertaining to meeting the requirements can be found here.
Waiving Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)
All registered students at the University of California are required to meet the university’s health insurance mandate. Graduate students are automatically enrolled in Berkeley’s Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) as a way to meet this mandate. However, if you have comparable insurance and don’t want to keep SHIP as dual coverage, you may submit a waiver application. All students can use University Health Services (UHS), whether they have SHIP or not.
In Absentia Registration
University of California academic and professional graduate students who undertake research or coursework related to their degree programs outside of California, or outside the seven Bay Area counties may receive an 85% reduction in the Educational and Registration fees for one semester while they are away. Students who qualify for In Absentia status can reduce their University bill by approximately $6,000 for the semester.
Note: Full health insurance, full professional degree fees, and, if applicable, full non-resident supplemental tuition will still apply.
Estimated Expenses
The following estimated expenses are meant to serve as unofficial guidelines. The Financial Aid Office updates these figures annually through student surveys and other research.
| Expense | Estimated Costs for 2 Semesters |
|---|---|
| Rent/Utilities | $18,984 |
| Food | $9,300 |
| Personal | $3,152 |
| Transportation | $3,660 |
| Books | $250 |
| Optometric Equipment* (1st & 2nd year) | $9,052.23 |
| Student Organizations | $255 |
| TOTAL ESTIMATED EXPENSES | $44,653 |
*Equipment
During the first and second year of enrollment, it is necessary for optometry students to purchase certain hand-held equipment to use. This equipment, which may be used after graduation in the practice of optometry, costs from $7,000 – $10,000 depending on brand name and quality of equipment selected by students.
Off-Campus Expenses During 4th Year
During the fourth year, students are required to participate in off campus externships. These rotations take the fourth-year clinician away from the Bay Area for 9 to 32 weeks of the the 4th year. Desired location and duration of externships cannot be guaranteed. Students are required to manage and pay their own costs for travel, accommodations, food, other living expenses and costs (immunization/documentation) associated with externship credentialing/onboarding.
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