The average tuition & fees of California colleges is $3,363 for California residents and $14,215 for students from other States.
Career Networks Institute has the highest (most expensive) tuition & fees of $143,276 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 $67,980 and Grace Mission University has the lowest graduate tuition & fees (cheapest) of $3,210 in California.The average COA of California 4-year colleges in 2025 is $28,174 for California residents and $41,732 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 | $6,033 | $19,590 | $12,315 | $22,966 |
| Books & Supplies | $1,234 | $1,234 | ||
| Room & Board | $20,908 | $20,908 | ||
| COA | $28,174 | $41,732 | $34,456 | $45,107 |
In California, 562 schools offer undergraduate programs. The average undergraduate tuition & fees of California colleges is $3,363 for California residents and $14,215 for out-of-state students for the academic year 2024-2025.
The California tuition & fees have risen 5.47% from last year (4 years colleges).
The following table and chart describe the 2025 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 | |||
| 2021 | $5,585 | $17,591 | $1,353 | $8,438 | $27,655 | $18,055 |
| 2022 | $5,611 | $17,750 | $1,349 | $8,837 | $27,771 | $18,390 |
| 2023 | $5,668 | $17,954 | $1,345 | $9,149 | $28,108 | $22,248 |
| 2024 | $5,777 | $18,574 | $1,358 | $9,935 | $29,248 | $22,883 |
| 2025 | $6,033 | $19,590 | $1,376 | $10,435 | $31,272 | $22,568 |
| Career Networks Institute | $143,276 |
|---|---|
| Laurus College | $83,400 |
| Glendale Career College | $76,557 |
| North-West College-San Diego | $76,557 |
| University of Southern California | $71,647 |
| University of the People | $1,200 |
|---|---|
| University of Antelope Valley | $1,465 |
| Berkeley School of Theology | $2,856 |
| Grace Mission University | $3,210 |
| America Evangelical University | $6,200 |
203 California colleges offer graduate programs. The average graduate program tuition fees of California colleges is $12,315 for California residents and $22,966 for students from other States. The graduate tuition & fees rose 104.19% from last year.
The following table and chart describe the 2025 graduate tuition & fees and show last 5 years' tuition change.
| Public Schools | Private Schools | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| In-State | Out-of-State | ||
| 2021 | $11,494 | $22,202 | $22,685 |
| 2022 | $11,534 | $21,822 | $23,023 |
| 2023 | $11,557 | $21,846 | $23,624 |
| 2024 | $11,754 | $22,043 | $24,587 |
| 2025 | $12,315 | $22,966 | $26,302 |
| Claremont McKenna College | $72,294 |
|---|---|
| University of Southern California | $71,515 |
| American Film Institute Conservatory | $70,487 |
| Occidental College | $66,274 |
| California Institute of Technology | $65,706 |
| Grace Mission University | $2,460 |
|---|---|
| Thomas Jefferson School of Law | $3,692 |
| World Mission University | $5,600 |
| SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary | $5,895 |
| America Evangelical University | $6,200 |
The average books & supplies cost of California colleges in 2025 is $1,234. The books & supplies cost rose 102.60% from last year. The following table and chart describes the 2025 books & supplies cost and cost changes over last 5 years.
| Books & Supplies | |
|---|---|
| 2021 | $1,264 |
| 2022 | $1,248 |
| 2023 | $1,280 |
| 2024 | $1,202 |
| 2025 | $1,234 |
The average living cost of California colleges in 2025 is $20,908 when a student lives on campus such as dormitory and college apartment and $25,862 living off campus. 121 schools have on-campus living facilities in California State. The on-campus living cost rose 107.23% and off-campus cost rose 111.95% from last year.
The following table and chart describes the 2025 living cost and compares to last 5 years.
| On-Campus | Off-Campus | |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $17,108 | $19,046 |
| 2022 | $17,297 | $19,826 |
| 2023 | $18,074 | $20,899 |
| 2024 | $19,499 | $23,102 |
| 2025 | $20,908 | $25,862 |