The average tuition & fees of California colleges is $3,243 for California residents and $13,502 for students from other States.
Laurus College has the highest (most expensive) tuition & fees of $83,400 and University of the People has the lowest tuition & fees (cheapest) of $1,200.
For graduate programs, Claremont McKenna College has the highest (most expensive) graduate tuition & fees of $64,150 and Grace Mission University has the lowest graduate tuition & fees (cheapest) of $3,500 in California.The average COA of California 4-year colleges in 2024 is $27,721 for California residents and $41,484 for students from other states. The COA includes tuition & fees, books & supplies, room & board, and other living expenses, but it excludes health insurance fee and uncommon expenses.
| Undergraduate | Graduate | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In-State | Out-of-State | In-State | Out-of-State | |
| Tuition & Fees | $6,924 | $20,687 | $11,754 | $22,043 |
| Books & Supplies | $1,223 | $1,223 | ||
| Room & Board | $19,574 | $19,574 | ||
| COA | $27,721 | $41,484 | $32,551 | $42,840 |
In California, 571 schools offer undergraduate programs. The average undergraduate tuition & fees of California colleges is $3,243 for California residents and $13,502 for out-of-state students for the academic year 2023-2024.
The California tuition & fees have risen 2.60% from last year (4 years colleges).
The following table and chart describe the 2024 undergraduate tuition & fees trends over last 5 years in 4-years and 2-4 years (community colleges) colleges.
You may want to compare California schools with tuition changes from last year at California colleges tuition change page.
| Public Schools | Private Schools | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Years or High | 2-4 Years | 4 Years or High | 2-4 Years | |||
| In-State | Out-of-State | In-State | Out-of-State | |||
| 2020 | $6,777 | $19,916 | $1,272 | $8,039 | $28,486 | $16,205 |
| 2021 | $6,685 | $19,936 | $1,342 | $8,432 | $27,719 | $17,363 |
| 2022 | $6,718 | $20,026 | $1,338 | $8,836 | $27,834 | $17,773 |
| 2023 | $6,789 | $20,163 | $1,336 | $9,167 | $28,214 | $21,303 |
| 2024 | $6,924 | $20,687 | $1,347 | $9,979 | $29,305 | $21,901 |
| Laurus College | $83,400 |
|---|---|
| Glendale Career College | $76,757 |
| North-West College-San Diego | $76,757 |
| Career Networks Institute | $75,380 |
| California Career College | $70,000 |
| University of the People | $1,200 |
|---|---|
| University of Antelope Valley | $1,465 |
| Berkeley School of Theology | $2,856 |
| Grace Mission University | $3,500 |
| Claremont Lincoln University | $6,000 |
203 California colleges offer graduate programs. The average graduate program tuition fees of California colleges is $11,754 for California residents and $22,043 for students from other States. The graduate tuition & fees rose 100.90% from last year.
The following table and chart describe the 2024 graduate tuition & fees and show last 5 years' tuition change.
| Public Schools | Private Schools | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| In-State | Out-of-State | ||
| 2020 | $11,309 | $21,598 | $22,276 |
| 2021 | $11,494 | $22,202 | $22,661 |
| 2022 | $11,534 | $21,822 | $22,999 |
| 2023 | $11,557 | $21,846 | $23,659 |
| 2024 | $11,754 | $22,043 | $24,600 |
| Claremont McKenna College | $68,525 |
|---|---|
| University of Southern California | $68,128 |
| American Film Institute Conservatory | $68,103 |
| Occidental College | $63,446 |
| California Institute of Technology | $63,063 |
| Grace Mission University | $2,640 |
|---|---|
| Thomas Jefferson School of Law | $3,600 |
| World Mission University | $5,600 |
| SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary | $5,895 |
| United States University | $6,037 |
The average books & supplies cost of California colleges in 2024 is $1,223. The books & supplies cost rose 93.89% from last year. The following table and chart describes the 2024 books & supplies cost and cost changes over last 5 years.
| Books & Supplies | |
|---|---|
| 2020 | $1,649 |
| 2021 | $1,248 |
| 2022 | $1,248 |
| 2023 | $1,303 |
| 2024 | $1,223 |
The average living cost of California colleges in 2024 is $19,574 when a student lives on campus such as dormitory and college apartment and $22,852 living off campus. 123 schools have on-campus living facilities in California State. The on-campus living cost rose 107.35% and off-campus cost rose 110.00% from last year.
The following table and chart describes the 2024 living cost and compares to last 5 years.
| On-Campus | Off-Campus | |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $16,994 | $18,206 |
| 2021 | $17,175 | $18,800 |
| 2022 | $17,376 | $19,622 |
| 2023 | $18,234 | $20,774 |
| 2024 | $19,574 | $22,852 |