Between the academic years 2022–23 and 2025–26, the total cost of attending the Berkeley Haas MBA program has consistently increased, with each major expense category showing upward movement.
Before we dive into the inflation trends at Berkeley Haas, let us look at the general inflation trends in California.
Los Angeles
2021: 6.6% (vs. US National Approximate Calculation: 7.0%)
2022: 7.5% (vs. US National Approximate Calculation: 6.5%)
2023: 3.8% (vs. US National Approximate Calculation: 4.9%)
2024: 3.0% (vs. US National Approximate Calculation: 2.4%)
4-year inflation: 20.9%
San Diego
Average 2021–2025: 7.43% (highest among U.S. cities)
California State Average (Based on BLS CPI data)
4-year inflation: 20% (Approximate Calculation)
Costliest: Housing and Energy Costs (38% above national average)
Berkeley Inflation (Approximate Calculation)
2021: 3.8%
2022: 5.7%
2023: 3.6%
2024: 1.3%
4-year inflation: 14.4%
Tuition and Fees Increase – Modest in comparison to Inflation for both California Residents (13.29% Increase) and Non-California Residents (16.5%)
Starting with tuition and fees, California residents paid $67,424 in 2022–23, which increased to $69,814 in 2023–24, marking a 3.54 % rise. This was followed by a jump to $73,160 in 2024–25, a 4.79 % increase from the previous year. In 2025–26, tuition rose further to $76,788, reflecting the steepest year-over-year growth in this category at 4.96 %.
For non-residents, the tuition rose from $76,433 in 2022–23 to $82,059 in 2023–24, showing a significant 7.35 % increase. It continued to climb to $85,406 in 2024–25, an increase of 4.07 %, and reached $89,033 in 2025–26, growing by another 4.25 %.
Across the four years, tuition and fees increased by 13.9 % for California residents and 16.5 % for non-residents.
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Housing and Food Inflation – Modest (9.8% Increase over 4 years)
Housing and food expenses began at $26,416 in 2022–23 and rose to $28,284 in 2023–24, which represents a sharp increase of 7.07 %. In 2024–25, the rise was minimal, with the cost moving to $28,428, up by just 0.51 %. The cost further increased to $29,008 in 2025–26, a moderate 2.04 % increase from the previous year. Over the four-year period, this category grew by 9.8 % in total, with the most noticeable jump occurring between 2022–23 and 2023–24.
Books and Supplies Inflation – Modest (11.9 % Increase over 4 years)
Books and supplies saw a similar pattern. The cost rose from $672 in 2022–23 to $730 in 2023–24, marking an 8.63 % increase. Between 2023–24 and 2024–25, the increase was marginal, rising to $734, which is a 0.55 % growth. It then reached $752 in 2025–26, increasing by 2.45 %. Overall, the cost of books and supplies grew by 11.9 % over the four years.
Transportation Inflation – Modest (11.6 % Increase over 4 years)
Transportation expenses also increased gradually. Starting at $3,376 in 2022–23, transportation costs rose to $3,660 in 2023–24, a jump of 8.41 %. This was followed by a very slight increase to $3,682 in 2024–25, reflecting a 0.6 % rise. In 2025–26, transportation costs went up again to $3,768, growing by 2.34 %. The total increase in this category over four years was 11.6 %, with the largest rise seen in the first year.
Health Insurance Inflation – High (23.1% Increase over 4 years)
Health insurance was the most volatile expense. It started at $6,372 in 2022–23 and decreased to $6,156 in 2023–24, a drop of 3.39 %. However, this decline was short-lived. Costs increased to $6,442 in 2024–25, up by 4.64 %, and then surged dramatically to $7,848 in 2025–26, reflecting a significant increase of 21.8 %—the largest single-year increase in any category. Over the four years, health insurance costs grew by 23.1 %, indicating rising healthcare premiums or expanded coverage.
Personal Expense Inflation - Modest (11.6 % Increase over 4 years)
Personal expenses have grown more steadily. The cost rose from $2,908 in 2022–23 to $3,152 in 2023–24, a rise of 8.39 %. It increased slightly to $3,170 in 2024–25, a 0.57 % growth, and reached $3,246 in 2025–26, rising by 2.4 %. The total increase over four years in this category was 11.6 %.
The total budget for California residents started at $107,168 in 2022–23. It rose to $111,786 in 2023–24, reflecting a 4.3 % increase. The following year, the budget grew to $115,616, an increase of 3.43 %. In 2025–26, the total cost reached $121,410, marking a 5.01 % rise. Across the four years, the overall budget for California residents increased by 13.27 %.
The 13.27% inflation is below the 4-year inflation of 14.4% at Berkeley and below the 20.9% at Los Angeles and California’s average of 20%.
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Related Read: Berkeley Haas MBA Total Cost and Funding Tips
| Expenses | Haas MBA Cost 2022-23 | Haas MBA Cost 2023-24 | Haas MBA Cost 2024-25 | Haas MBA Cost 2025-26 |
| Tuition and Fees | $67,424 ($76,433 for Non-CA residents) | $69,814 ($82,059 for CA non-residents) | $ 73,160 ($85,406 for Non-CA Residents) | $76,788 ($89,033 Non-CA Residents) |
| Housing and Food | $26,416 | $28,284 | $28,428 | $29,008 |
| Books and Supplies | $672 | $730 | $ 734 | $752 |
| Transportation | $3,376 | $3,660 | $ 3,682 | $3,768 |
| Health Insurance | $6,372 | $6,156 | $ 6,442 | $7,848 |
| Personal Expenses | $2,908 | $3,152 | $ 3,170 | $3,246 |
| Total Budget (CA residents) | $107,168 | $111,786 | $115,616 | $121,410 |
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