UC Berkeley Energy and Resources Group
- Acceptance Rate
- 65.0%
- SAT Range
- 1050–1250
- ACT Range
- N/A
- Avg GPA
- 3.25
- Size
- N/A
- Type
- N/A
- Student:Faculty
- N/A
- Setting
- N/A
- Graduation Rate
- N/A
- Retention Rate
- N/A
- Tuition (In-State)
- N/A
- Tuition (Int'l)
- N/A
Student Life & Environment
Students in the Energy and Resources Group join an intimate academic community united by commitment to environmental sustainability and social justice. The program's small size means everyone knows each other, creating a supportive environment where students collaborate rather than compete. This communal ethos reflects values that many ERG students bring from backgrounds in environmental activism, community organizing, and public service. The ERG student community maintains active traditions including regular social gatherings, an annual retreat, and student-organized seminar series. These activities build relationships extending beyond shared coursework, creating professional networks that persist throughout careers. The program's alumni community remains engaged, with graduates returning for events and advising current students on career development. Berkeley's campus provides a stimulating environment for graduate study, with world-class libraries, diverse student organizations, and regular public lectures and events. The Bay Area offers unparalleled access to environmental organizations, clean technology companies, and policy institutions. Many students engage with these organizations through research partnerships, internships, and volunteer activities that complement formal academic work. Housing costs in the Berkeley area present significant challenges, with rental markets among the nation's most expensive. Most graduate students live off-campus in Berkeley, Oakland, or other East Bay communities, with commute considerations factoring into location decisions. University financial support helps offset costs but rarely covers full living expenses, leading many students to supplement with additional employment or loans.
Location & Surroundings
The Energy and Resources Group occupies offices and seminar rooms in central campus buildings at UC Berkeley, placing students within one of the world's great research universities. The campus itself is a national historic landmark, with iconic buildings, eucalyptus groves, and views of San Francisco Bay. This beautiful setting provides daily backdrop for academic work while easy transit connections link campus to the broader Bay Area. Berkeley and the surrounding region offer exceptional access to environmental policy and practice. State agencies developing California's pioneering climate policies are based in Sacramento, less than two hours away. Environmental organizations including Sierra Club, Natural Resources Defense Council, and numerous others maintain Bay Area offices. The cleantech industry cluster provides opportunities for students interested in technology development and commercialization. The Bay Area climate features mild temperatures year-round, though Berkeley's hillside location brings fog and cooler conditions than inland areas. Summers are dry with occasional heat waves, while winters bring rain with temperatures rarely dropping below freezing. Outdoor recreation opportunities abound, from hiking in Tilden Park immediately east of campus to beaches, forests, and mountains throughout Northern California. Living costs rank among the nation's highest, driven primarily by housing scarcity. Graduate student stipends provide modest living standards when managed carefully, but financial stress affects many students. Transportation options include excellent public transit, though owning a car expands access to recreation and research sites. The cultural diversity and culinary excellence of the Bay Area somewhat compensate for financial challenges.
Costs & Career Outcomes
Doctoral students in the Energy and Resources Group receive full financial support including tuition coverage, health insurance, and living stipends for the program duration assuming satisfactory progress. Current stipend levels approach $40,000 annually, with adjustments reflecting Bay Area cost of living. This support derives from university fellowships, research assistantships, and teaching positions, with specific sources varying by year and student. The funding package provides security but requires careful budgeting given Bay Area living costs. Housing typically consumes 50-60% of stipend amounts, leaving limited resources for other expenses. Some students supplement through additional teaching, consulting, or summer employment, though maintaining research progress requires limiting outside commitments. Master's students do not receive automatic funding and typically self-finance through loans, personal savings, or outside scholarships. The master's program can be completed in 1.5 to 2 years, limiting total costs though Bay Area expenses still accumulate significantly. Students should budget $80,000-120,000 for total program costs including tuition and living expenses. Career outcomes for ERG graduates span academia, government, nonprofit organizations, and private sector roles addressing energy and environmental challenges. Doctoral graduates pursuing academic careers have secured faculty positions at leading research universities. Others work in government agencies developing energy and environmental policy, international organizations addressing sustainable development, and consulting firms advising on sustainability strategy. Master's graduates pursue similar paths, often in roles emphasizing implementation over research. The program's strong reputation and alumni network provide career development support throughout professional trajectories.
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