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What should I budget for average living costs as an M.A. student at UC Berkeley?

04 Oct 2026 · Answered by Soundarya M · 1 min read
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As an M.A. student at UC Berkeley, budget around INR 16.96 lakh to 21.27 lakh a year for average living costs. This is separate from your tuition fee, which ranges from INR 25.61 lakh to 47.9 lakh in the first year, so plan both figures together for your total budget.

Soundarya M
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Living costs are a major part of your total spend as an M.A. student at UC Berkeley, and knowing the average figure upfront helps you plan realistically alongside your tuition fee.

M.A. Average Living Cost Snapshot

ExpenseEstimated Range
Average living costsINR 16.96L - 21.27L
First-year tuition (for reference)INR 25.61L - 47.9L

What Counts as Living Costs

This figure typically covers your day-to-day expenses outside tuition, and when combined with your tuition fee, gives you a fuller picture of your total first-year cost as an M.A. student at this university.

My Advice

Add the average living cost figure to your first-year tuition fee to arrive at your true total budget, and build in a buffer since actual spending can vary based on your lifestyle and housing choice near campus.

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