The average tuition & fees of California colleges is $3,243 for California residents and $13,502 for students from other States.

Laurus College has the highest (most expensive) tuition & fees of $83,400 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 $64,150 and Grace Mission University has the lowest graduate tuition & fees (cheapest) of $3,500 in California.

The average COA of California 4-year colleges in 2024 is $27,721 for California residents and $41,484 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. 2024 Average cost of Attendance for California Colleges (4-Years)
UndergraduateGraduate
In-StateOut-of-StateIn-StateOut-of-State
Tuition & Fees $6,924$20,687 $11,754$22,043
Books & Supplies$1,223$1,223
Room & Board$19,574$19,574
COA$27,721$41,484$32,551$42,840
cost of Attendance for California Universities and Colleges

Undergraduate Tuition & Fees

In California, 571 schools offer undergraduate programs. The average undergraduate tuition & fees of California colleges is $3,243 for California residents and $13,502 for out-of-state students for the academic year 2023-2024.

The California tuition & fees have risen 2.60% from last year (4 years colleges).

The following table and chart describe the 2024 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.

2024 Average Undergraduate Tuition & Fees for California Colleges
Public SchoolsPrivate Schools
4 Years or High2-4 Years4 Years or High2-4 Years
In-StateOut-of-StateIn-StateOut-of-State
2020 $6,777$19,916 $1,272$8,039 $28,486$16,205
2021 $6,685$19,936 $1,342$8,432 $27,719$17,363
2022 $6,718$20,026 $1,338$8,836 $27,834$17,773
2023 $6,789$20,163 $1,336$9,167 $28,214$21,303
2024 $6,924$20,687 $1,347$9,979 $29,305$21,901
Undergraduate Tuition & Fees at California Colleges

Graduate Program Tuition & Fees

203 California colleges offer graduate programs. The average graduate program tuition fees of California colleges is $11,754 for California residents and $22,043 for students from other States. The graduate tuition & fees rose 100.90% from last year.

The following table and chart describe the 2024 graduate tuition & fees and show last 5 years' tuition change.

2024 Average Graduate Tuition & Fees for California Universities and Colleges
Public SchoolsPrivate Schools
In-StateOut-of-State
2020 $11,309$21,598$22,276
2021 $11,494$22,202$22,661
2022 $11,534$21,822$22,999
2023 $11,557$21,846$23,659
2024 $11,754$22,043$24,600
Graduate Tuition & Fees at California Colleges

Books & Supplies cost

The average books & supplies cost of California colleges in 2024 is $1,223. The books & supplies cost rose 93.89% from last year. The following table and chart describes the 2024 books & supplies cost and cost changes over last 5 years.

2024 Average Books & Supplies cost for California Universities and Colleges
Books & Supplies
2020$1,649
2021$1,248
2022$1,248
2023$1,303
2024$1,223
Book & Supplies Cost at California Colleges

Average Living cost

The average living cost of California colleges in 2024 is $19,574 when a student lives on campus such as dormitory and college apartment and $22,852 living off campus. 123 schools have on-campus living facilities in California State. The on-campus living cost rose 107.35% and off-campus cost rose 110.00% from last year.

The following table and chart describes the 2024 living cost and compares to last 5 years.

2024 Average Living cost for California Universities and Colleges
On-CampusOff-Campus
2020$16,994$18,206
2021$17,175$18,800
2022$17,376$19,622
2023$18,234$20,774
2024$19,574$22,852
Living Expenses at California Colleges