For the academic year 2024-2025, the average tuition of public colleges in California is $7,369 for California residents and $22,589 for out-of-state students. For private colleges in California, the average tuition & fees are $31,041 regardless of residency.
For graduate schools, the average tuition of public colleges in California is $12,421 for California residents and $22,534 for out-of-state students. For private schools in California, the average graduate tuition is $26,586.
The average living expenses other than tuition & fees are $20,817 when a student lives on-campus facilities such as dormitory and college-operated/owned apartment. The average off-campus living cost is $26,900. It includes costs for room & board, books & supplies, and other living expenses.
The average amounts are based on the cost of 4-years college which offer BS degree (or higher). You can check the average cost of 2-years college (community college) and less than 2 years colleges (trade schools / technical colleges). In addition, you can check the average cost of college by school type, level, and offered degree below.
You can compare all California colleges in various ways:
Average Cost of Attendance (COA)
In addition to the tuition & fees, the cost of college includes cost for room & board, books & supplies, and other living expenses. This total costs of attendance (COA) is important when preparing for the college admission and checking student loans.
The 2025 average COA of the four-year colleges in California is $30,972 for residents and $46,193 for out-of-state students. At private four-year schools, average COA is $52,647. At community colleges (2-4 year school), the average COA is $21,567 for California residents and $30,703 for out-of-state students.
The following table summarizes the 2025 average COA by school types and levels. In addition, you can check the changes of COA by comparing to last year.
| California Residents | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
| Public 4-Year Colleges | $30,972 | $46,193 |
| Private 4-Year Colleges | $52,647 | |
| Community Colleges | $21,567 | $30,703 |
Undergraduate Tuition & Fees
In California, 609 out of 672 colleges are offering undergraduate programs. By schools type, there are 172 public and 381 private colleges in California. The average undergraduate tuition & fees of colleges in California is $7,369 for California residents and $22,429 for out-of-state students. At private schools, the undergraduate tuition & fees is $29,837
At community colleges (2-4 years schools), the average tuition & fees is $1,297 for residents and $10,433 for out-of-state students.
| California Residents | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
| Public 4-Year Colleges | $7,369 | $22,429 |
| Private 4-Year Colleges | $29,837 | |
| Community Colleges (2-Year Colleges) | $1,297 | $10,433 |
| Trade Schools (Less than 2-Year Schools) | $22,576 | |
Graduate Programs Tuition & Fees
In California, 227 colleges and universities offer graduate programs. The average graduate school tuition & fees of colleges in California is $10,365 for California residents and $20,576 for out-of-state students. At private schools, the graduate program tuition & fees is $24,880
| California Residents | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
| Public Schools | $10,365 | $20,576 |
| Private Schools | $24,880 | |
Tuition per Credit Hour
The tuition per credit hour is used and charged to part-time students and/or full-time students who takes extra courses (credits). The average cost per credit hour of colleges in California is $45 for California residents and $409 for out-of-state students. At private schools, the average cost is $1,160
For graduate programs, the average tuition per credit hour is $1,813 for California residents and $487 for out-of-state students. At private graduate schools, the average cost per credit hour is $1,017
| California Residents | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | ||
| Public 4-Year Colleges | $45 | $409 |
| Private 4-Year Colleges | $1,160 | |
| Community Colleges (2-Year Colleges) | $49 | $400 |
| Graduate | ||
| Public Schools | $1,813 | $487 |
| Private Schools | $1,017 | |
Average Living Costs at colleges in California
At colleges in California, the average living cost is $20,817 when a student lives on campus facility and $26,900 when living off campus. It includes the cost for room & board, and other living expenses.
| On-Campus | Off-Campus | |
|---|---|---|
| Public Schools | $21,512 | $28,915 |
| Private Schools | $20,340 | $24,668 |
