College Costs in California

The 2025 Directory of California Colleges and Prices

California Colleges, Cost and Affordability for 2025

How much does it cost to attend college in California?   The average annual in-state college tuition in California was $14,430 for the 2021-2022 academic year. This is $1,200 lower than the U.S. average and ranks California in the middle of the pack as the 28th most expensive state or district to attend college. This is a change of $1,017 from the 2019-2020 average of $13,413 and represents a 7.58% annual increase in tuition costs. The list of California colleges below provides school specific cost and value rating.

This analysis surveyed tuition data from the 306 colleges and universities in California, the most popular being University of Southern California with 41,648 full time students and an in-state tuition list price of $66,640. University of Southern California is the most expensive in California with an in-state tuition of $66,640.

All price data are reprinted from the U.S. Department of Education's 2023 IPEDS Survey and reflect reported costs for the 2022-2023 academic year.
California Public Private For-Profit 4 year 2 year

306 results

California State University San Marcos
C
San Marcos, CA

California State University San Marcos

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

$5,742 Tuition

#20 Best Public Universities in California

  • 15,431enrollment
  • $10,500net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 950-1130SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.32Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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Humboldt State University
H
Arcata, CA

Humboldt State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

$5,742 Tuition

#19 Best Public Universities in California

  • 6,156enrollment
  • $13,837net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 970-1190SAT range
  • 17-25ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 30

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California Institute of the Arts
C
Valencia, CA

California Institute of the Arts

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

$56,074 Tuition

 

  • 1,353enrollment
  • $57,288net price
  • 26%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Jan 5

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California Baptist University
C
Riverside, CA

California Baptist University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

$37,570 Tuition

#30 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 11,407enrollment
  • $28,596net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 960-1150SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

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California State Polytechnic University Pomona
C
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

$5,742 Tuition

#14 Best Public Universities in California

  • 26,848enrollment
  • $11,898net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1250SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.69Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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Point Loma Nazarene University
P
San Diego, CA

Point Loma Nazarene University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

$42,600 Tuition

#17 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 4,494enrollment
  • $36,370net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1410SAT range
  • 22-30ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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University of Redlands
R
Redlands, CA

University of Redlands

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

$57,264 Tuition

#15 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 3,192enrollment
  • $28,054net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1078-1323SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

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Los Angeles City College
L
Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles City College

Public 2 Year

0 reviews

$1,196 Tuition

 

  • 14,076enrollment
  • $8,834net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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Harvey Mudd College
H
Claremont, CA

Harvey Mudd College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

$65,954 Tuition

 

  • 949enrollment
  • $42,720net price
  • 13%acceptance rate
  • 1480-1560SAT range
  • 34-36ACT range
  • 3.96Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 5

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Santa Barbara City College
S
Santa Barbara, CA

Santa Barbara City College

Public 2 Year

0 reviews

$1,104 Tuition

 

  • 12,345enrollment
  • $12,883net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Aug 19

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Fullerton College
F
Fullerton, CA
 

Fullerton College

Public 2 Year

0 reviews

$1,104 Tuition

 

  • 18,569enrollment
  • $10,316net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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University of La Verne
L
La Verne, CA

University of La Verne

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

$45,850 Tuition

#23 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 5,596enrollment
  • $27,216net price
  • 48%acceptance rate
  • 970-1303SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

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Claremont McKenna College
C
Claremont, CA

Claremont McKenna College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

$63,800 Tuition

#17 Best Colleges in America

  • 1,384enrollment
  • $29,978net price
  • 11%acceptance rate
  • 1450-1560SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
  • 3.89Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 5

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Scripps College
S
Claremont, CA

Scripps College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

$63,216 Tuition

#6 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 1,103enrollment
  • $45,505net price
  • 34%acceptance rate
  • 1420-1530SAT range
  • 32-34ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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Whittier College
W
Whittier, CA

Whittier College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

$48,924 Tuition

 

  • 859enrollment
  • $32,436net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1340SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

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California State University Dominguez Hills
C
Carson, CA

California State University Dominguez Hills

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

$5,742 Tuition

 

  • 15,181enrollment
  • $4,438net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.16Avg GPA

Applications Due Dec 4

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Westmont College
W
Santa Barbara, CA
 

Westmont College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

$50,550 Tuition

#12 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 1,310enrollment
  • $36,412net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1212-1418SAT range
  • 30-34ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

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Biola University
B
La Mirada, CA

Biola University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

$46,704 Tuition

#18 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 5,296enrollment
  • $30,510net price
  • 60%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1360SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Compare