For the academic year 2024-2025, the average tuition of public colleges in California is $6,071 for California residents and $19,633 for out-of-state students. For private colleges in California, the average tuition & fees are $31,599 regardless of residency.
For graduate schools, the average tuition of public colleges in California is $12,315 for California residents and $22,966 for out-of-state students. For private schools in California, the average graduate tuition is $26,552.
The average living expenses other than tuition & fees are $20,751 when a student lives on-campus facilities such as dormitory and college-operated/owned apartment. The average off-campus living cost is $26,891. 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 $29,395 for residents and $42,956 for out-of-state students. At private four-year schools, average COA is $53,138. At community colleges (2-4 year school), the average COA is $22,312 for California residents and $31,301 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 | $29,395 | $42,956 |
| Private 4-Year Colleges | $53,138 | |
| Community Colleges | $22,312 | $31,301 |
Undergraduate Tuition & Fees
In California, 607 out of 669 colleges are offering undergraduate programs. By schools type, there are 173 public and 367 private colleges in California. The average undergraduate tuition & fees of colleges in California is $4,858 for California residents and $18,282 for out-of-state students. At private schools, the undergraduate tuition & fees is $30,289
At community colleges (2-4 years schools), the average tuition & fees is $1,312 for residents and $10,288 for out-of-state students.
| California Residents | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
| Public 4-Year Colleges | $4,858 | $18,282 |
| Private 4-Year Colleges | $30,289 | |
| Community Colleges (2-Year Colleges) | $1,312 | $10,288 |
| Trade Schools (Less than 2-Year Schools) | $22,576 | |
Graduate Programs Tuition & Fees
In California, 228 colleges and universities offer graduate programs. The average graduate school tuition & fees of colleges in California is $10,357 for California residents and $21,008 for out-of-state students. At private schools, the graduate program tuition & fees is $25,498
| California Residents | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
| Public Schools | $10,357 | $21,008 |
| Private Schools | $25,498 | |
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 $61 for California residents and $402 for out-of-state students. At private schools, the average cost is $1,157
For graduate programs, the average tuition per credit hour is $1,022 for California residents and $484 for out-of-state students. At private graduate schools, the average cost per credit hour is $991
| California Residents | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | ||
| Public 4-Year Colleges | $61 | $402 |
| Private 4-Year Colleges | $1,157 | |
| Community Colleges (2-Year Colleges) | $54 | $395 |
| Graduate | ||
| Public Schools | $1,022 | $484 |
| Private Schools | $991 | |
Average Living Costs at colleges in California
At colleges in California, the average living cost is $20,751 when a student lives on campus facility and $26,891 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 | $20,243 | $24,649 |
