In-State vs Out-of-State Tuition Comparison
For the academic year 2024-2025, the average tuition & fees of Colleges in San Diego, California is $6,033 for in-state and $19,590 for out-of-state students. For California private colleges, the 2025 average tuition & fees is $32,259.
Compared to last year's tuition in California, in-state tuition has increased by 4.44% and out-of-state tuition has increased by 5.47%. The private schools' tuition increased by 1.81%. You can check out the 5-year tuition inflation of Colleges in San Diego, California .
Colleges in San Diego, California ' tuition & fees is lower than 2025 national average, which is $8,863 for in-state and $25,541 for out-of-state students.
This page compares tuition of 4-year colleges in California, and other level of colleges can be compared at:
California Community Colleges
California Trade Schools
North-West College-San Diego has the most expensive tuition & fees of $76,557 and Columbia College - San Diego has the lowest tuition & fees of $8,256 among Colleges in San Diego, California .
The average itemized college cost for Colleges in San Diego, California is as follows:
- The tuition & fees is $6,033 for in-state and $19,590 for out-of-state students.
- Private schools' tuition is $32,259.
- The tuition per credit hour is $46 for state residents and $731 for out-of-state.
- The cost for books & supplies is $1,138.
- The living cost is $18,866 (on-campus) and $23,086 (off-campus).
Tuition, fees, and Living Costs Comparison for Colleges in San Diego, California
17 schools are matched for your search.
Compare Selected Schools
2025 Tuition Comparison Between Colleges in San Diego, California | School Name | Tuition & Fees | Cost Per Credit Hour | Books & Supplies | Living Costs |
|---|
| In-State | Out-of-State | In-State | Out-of-State |
On Campus | Off Campus |
|---|
|
Alliant International University-San DiegoSan Diego, CA | $14,254 |
| $581 |
| $938 |
- |
$24,030 |
|---|
|
California Miramar UniversitySan Diego, CA | $9,994 |
| $406 |
| $1,062 |
- |
$22,086 |
|---|
|
Columbia College - Naval Base San DiegoSan Diego, CA | $8,304 |
| - |
| - |
- |
- |
|---|
|
Columbia College - San DiegoSan Diego, CA | $8,256 |
| - |
| $480 |
- |
$11,680 |
|---|
|
Design Institute of San DiegoSan Diego, CA | $29,300 |
| $1,191 |
| $1,062 |
- |
$22,086 |
|---|
|
National UniversitySan Diego, CA | $13,284 |
| $370 |
| $936 |
- |
$23,076 |
|---|
|
Newschool of Architecture and DesignSan Diego, CA | $30,291 |
| $859 |
| $3,300 |
- |
$18,132 |
|---|
|
North-West College-San DiegoSan Diego, CA | $76,557 |
| - |
| - |
- |
- |
|---|
|
Northcentral UniversitySan Diego, CA | $12,594 |
| $461 |
| - |
- |
- |
|---|
|
Pacific College of Health and ScienceSan Diego, CA | $11,000 |
| $476 |
| $764 |
- |
$34,705 |
|---|
|
Point Loma Nazarene UniversitySan Diego, CA | $46,250 |
| $1,890 |
| $1,062 |
$13,650 |
$22,088 |
|---|
|
San Diego City CollegeSan Diego, CA | $1,146 |
$10,002 | $46 |
$415 | $1,062 |
- |
$31,243 |
|---|
|
San Diego Global Knowledge UniversitySan Diego, CA | $13,774 |
| $320 |
| - |
- |
$11,840 |
|---|
|
San Diego Mesa CollegeSan Diego, CA | $1,146 |
$10,002 | $46 |
$415 | $1,062 |
- |
$31,243 |
|---|
|
San Diego Miramar CollegeSan Diego, CA | $1,146 |
$10,002 | $46 |
$415 | $1,062 |
- |
$31,243 |
|---|
|
San Diego State UniversitySan Diego, CA | $8,728 |
$21,328 | - |
$420 | $946 |
$23,030 |
$17,672 |
|---|
|
University of San DiegoSan Diego, CA | $59,486 |
| $2,014 |
| $1,062 |
$19,918 |
$22,086 |
|---|
| Average | $3,042 | $22,628 | $46 | $731 | $1,138 | $18,866 | $23,086 |
|---|
*The tuition data is updated with the academic year 2024-2025 data from IPEDS.
Frequently Asked Questions for California Tuition
The average in-state tuition and fees for 64 public colleges in California is $6,033. The average out-of-state tuition and fees for public colleges in California is $19,590 for the academic year 2024-2025.
The average tuition and fees for 201 private colleges in California is $32,259.
The average cost of attendance (including books & supplies and living costs) for in-state students in California public colleges is $26,037 for on-campus living and $30,258 for off-campus living.
The average cost of attendance (including books & supplies and living costs) for out-of-state students in California public colleges is $39,595 for on-campus living and $43,815 for off-campus living.
The average cost of attendance (including books & supplies and living costs) for private colleges in California is $52,263 for on-campus living and $56,483 for off-campus living.
Out-of-state tuition is $13,557 higher than in-state tuition on average.
Private tuition is $12,668 higher than public out-of-state tuition on average.
Recent data shows in-state public tuition changed by 4.44% and out-of-state public tuition changed by 5.47% and private tuition changed by 1.81% from last year.