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.
Table. 2025 Average cost of Attendance for California Colleges (4-Years)
| 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 |
|---|
Undergraduate Tuition & Fees
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.
2025 Average Undergraduate Tuition & Fees for California Colleges
|
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 |
|---|
Graduate Program Tuition & Fees
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.
2025 Average Graduate Tuition & Fees for California Universities and Colleges
|
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 |
|---|
Books & Supplies cost
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.
2025 Average Books & Supplies cost for California Universities and Colleges
| Books & Supplies |
|---|
| 2021 | $1,264 |
|---|
| 2022 | $1,248 |
|---|
| 2023 | $1,280 |
|---|
| 2024 | $1,202 |
|---|
| 2025 | $1,234 |
|---|
Average Living cost
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.
2025 Average Living cost for California Universities and Colleges
| 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 |
|---|