Cost of Attendance (COA)
The following table compares the 2025 costs of attendance between selected colleges. For state residents, the average COA is $32,459 when living on campus and $34,853 when living off campus. For out-of-state students, the average COA is $50,005 when living on campus and $52,399 when living off campus. The COA includes tuition, fees, books & supplies, room & board costs, and other living expenses.
| Name | Tuition & Fees | Books & Supplies | Living Costs | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| In-State | Out-of-State | On-Campus | Off-Campus | ||
| California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | $12,161 | $33,230 | $1,119 | $21,861 | $23,097 |
| California State University-Chico | $8,472 | $21,072 | $1,096 | $19,520 | $16,520 |
| University of California-Santa Cruz | $15,035 | $46,923 | $1,192 | $26,850 | $27,398 |
| California State University Maritime Academy | $9,559 | $22,159 | $1,029 | $20,028 | $26,223 |
| Santa Ana College | $1,180 | $10,756 | $1,126 | - | $29,056 |
| University of California-System Administration Central Office | no longer opens and does not accept applicants | ||||
| Average | $9,281 | $26,828 | $1,112 | $22,065 | $24,459 |
Undergraduate Tuition & Fees
The following table compares 2024-2025 undergraduate tuition & fees between selected colleges. The average undergraduate tuition & fees is $9,281 for in-state students and $26,828 for out-of-state students. The 2024-2025 undergraduate tuition & fees of selected colleges are increased by 7.07% compared to the previous year.
Among the selected colleges, University of California-Santa Cruz requires the most expensive tuition & fees of $44,148 and Santa Ana College has the lowest tuition & fees of $10,680 for undergraduate programs.
| Name | 2023-2024 | 2024-2025 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In-State | Out-of-State | In-State | Out-of-State | |
| California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | $11,075 | $30,995 | $12,161 | $33,230 |
| California State University-Chico | $8,064 | $19,944 | $8,472 | $21,072 |
| University of California-Santa Cruz | $14,560 | $45,337 | $15,035 | $46,923 |
| California State University Maritime Academy | $7,672 | $19,552 | $9,559 | $22,159 |
| Santa Ana College | $1,180 | $9,460 | $1,180 | $10,756 |
| University of California-System Administration Central Office | no longer opens and does not accept applicants | |||
| Average | $8,510 | $25,058 | $9,281 | $26,828 |
Graduate Tuition & Fees
The following table compares 2024-2025 graduate tuition & fees between selected colleges. The average graduate tuition & fees is $13,030 for state residents and $24,784 for out-of-state students. The 2024-2025 graduate tuition & fees of selected colleges are increased by 4.76% compared to the previous year.
Among the selected colleges, University of California-Santa Cruz requires the most expensive graduate tuition & fees of $27,864 and California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo has the lowest graduate tuition & fees of $17,688.
| Name | 2023-2024 | 2024-2025 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In-State | Out-of-State | In-State | Out-of-State | |
| California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | $12,509 | $22,013 | $13,685 | $23,765 |
| California State University-Chico | $9,498 | $19,002 | $9,996 | $20,076 |
| University of California-Santa Cruz | $14,855 | $29,957 | $15,410 | $30,512 |
| California State University Maritime Academy | The graduate tuition information is not available. | |||
| Santa Ana College | The graduate tuition information is not available. | |||
| University of California-System Administration Central Office | no longer opens and does not accept applicants | |||
| Average | $12,287 | $23,657 | $13,030 | $24,784 |
Room & Board, Other Living Expenses
The following table compares living costs including room, board, and other expenses between selected colleges. Each cost is in average and may vary by room types, meal plan, and other living styles. For academic year 2024-2025, the average living costs of selected colleges is $22,065 when a student lives on campus and $24,459 when living off campus.
| Name | On-Campus | Off-Campus | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Room & Board | Other Expenses | Room & Board | Other Expenses | Other Expenses (living with family) | |
| California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | $18,792 | $3,069 | $19,155 | $3,942 | $5,850 |
| California State University-Chico | $16,500 | $3,020 | $11,644 | $4,876 | $4,728 |
| University of California-Santa Cruz | $19,948 | $6,902 | $19,560 | $7,838 | $8,657 |
| California State University Maritime Academy | $14,536 | $5,492 | $18,594 | $7,629 | $7,339 |
| Santa Ana College | - | - | $22,126 | $6,930 | $5,852 |
| University of California-System Administration Central Office | no recent data available (probably not active) | ||||
| Average | $17,444 | $4,621 | $18,216 | $6,243 | $6,485 |
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