Whatever path you’re on, why not broaden your horizons – figuratively and literally?

Zaytuna College, the first Muslim liberal arts college in the United States and the Western world, has been approved to accept international students through the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). As the first college of its kind, Zaytuna provides a unique opportunity for students to simultaneously pursue an education in both the Islamic and Western traditions while working towards a Bachelor’s Degree in Islamic Law and Theology.

Originally founded in 1996 as an institute endeavouring to revive Islam’s educational and intellectual reputation, Zaytuna College launched a pilot seminary program in 2004 in an effort to establish an accredited Muslim college. This effort was undertaken by the founders of Zaytuna College; Dr. Hatem Bazian, Imam Zaid Shakir, and Shaykh Hamza Yusuf. In 2015 the college received accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

Located in the “Holy Hill” neighborhood of Berkeley, California, the college’s historic campus is the perfect environment to cultivate mind and spirit. With a rigorous curriculum, expert faculty, and spiritually and academically rich student life, Zaytuna College equips students with the foundation they need on their journey toward spiritual and intellectual enlightenment.

International students studying at Zaytuna College will receive a transformative educational experience, as they will become part of a living intellectual and spiritual tradition that is enhanced by an ongoing involvement with an active community of believers, the larger, multi-religious world around them, as well as the full range of daily trials and triumphs that characterize modern American society.

The mission of Zaytuna College is to educate students to become morally, intellectually, and spiritually accomplished persons ready to contribute to our contemporary world in ways that are proportionate to their gifts on the one hand and the needs of human society on the other. Rigorously trained in our two classical traditions, the Zaytuna graduate will be prepared to act within the world by the light of the principles that have enlightened his or her inner world. These principles will allow the graduate to grasp the actual complexity of inner and outer experiences with the completeness demanded by a love of Truth and to communicate that Truth not merely to factually inform but to enlighten and delight other minds, always with the intention of finding the extent of human wisdom.

Whatever path you’re on, why not broaden your horizons – figuratively and literally? Based near the campus of the Sunshine State’s historic higher education institution, UC Berkeley, Zaytuna College opens its doors to international students for the 2018-2019 academic year.

Want to take your intellect and spirit to the next level? Zaytuna College is now accepting international students, so join our growing community of professional, intellectual, and spiritual leaders and apply today!

zaytuna college tuition

As a Muslim college, Zaytuna is an inheritor of a centuries-long tradition that enables and encourages students to pursue knowledge as a right, regardless of economic circumstances. This is why our financial aid policy removes economic barriers to seeking knowledge by offering any admitted student who cannot afford the cost of education a generous financial assistance package. We follow a need-blind admissions process and do our best to ensure our students complete their education debt-free. Students apply for and receive financial aid directly from Zaytuna in the form of merit scholarships or need-based aid. 

Financial Aid

Zaytuna College does not participate in federal- or state-sponsored grant or loan programs. Students may apply for financial aid from the College. Assistance is classified into two types, based on the criteria by which the financial assistance is awarded: merit-based scholarships and need-based scholarships (zakat).

Merit-based Scholarships

Merit scholarships are available through generous donations to the College. Any student or applicant with a GPA of 3.7 or above may apply for a merit scholarship.

Need-based Financial Aid

Need-based aid is awarded on a scale depending on the student’s and (if applicable) parents’ income and assets. Zaytuna designed its need-based aid to ensure that all qualified students can attend the College, while asking that they, with their families, contribute what they are reasonably able to pay toward their education.

Financial Aid for SAI

Anyone that is granted need-based aid for undergraduate studies is automatically granted need-based aid for the Summer Arabic Intensive.

Married Housing

The cost for on-campus married student housing is $20,000 for the academic year. If both spouses are Zaytuna students, each student must pay $10,000 per academic year. Students with spouses who are not Zaytuna students must pay $20,000 per academic year. Each student may be eligible for up to $10,000 in financial aid for this cost. Non–Zaytuna College students who live in on-campus married student housing do not qualify for aid from the College.

Annual Undergraduate Program Costs

Tuition | $19,000

Nonrefundable enrollment (one-time payment) | $250

Housing | $10,000

Refundable security deposit (one-time payment) | $500

Annual Graduate Program Costs

Tuition | $27,592

Nonrefundable enrollment (one-time payment) | $250

Continuation fee | $4,400

Records maintenance fee during leave of absence (per semester) | $100

Special fee: MA application fee (one-time payment) | $40

Housing | $12,000

Reinstatement fee (for students who have withdrawn and wish to return) | $150

MA graduation fee (one-time payment) | $150

ID card placement fee (one-time payment) | $25

Refundable security deposit (one-time payment) | $500