The Cheapest Colleges in California by In State Total Cost for 2023
If you're looking for an affordable university and you are a resident of California these are the least expensive in state colleges to consider.
Affordable doesn't simply mean finding a school with a low published in state total cost. It's important to research the typical financial aid package offered by a school, the average net price actually paid and most importantly the quality of education you receive for your tuition dollar. Sometimes a school which appears cheap based on list price can be a poor relative value if it can't award competitive financial aid or doesn't offer a quality education. The list below is a ranking on published in state total cost with no consideration of actual average price paid or academic quality of the school. Please see the CollegeCalc best value colleges in California list for a ranking which considers school quality and average net price.
Total cost may factor in an estimated off-campus living expense if a school doens't provide housing. This estimate may vary widely by college. To view a rank by academic fees alone please see our California tuition ranking.
The most affordable four year colleges in California are listed by one year's in state total cost list price for the 2021/2022 school year. Total cost includes tuition, room and board or estimated off campus living expenses, books and supplies and other fees.
What is the cheapest college in California? Leading the colleges list is Trident University International in Cypress with an in state total cost of $15,785.
Academic Rating is a CollegeCalc rating of a college's overall academics and effectiveness. The score ranges from zero to one hundred, with fifty being the median for all eligible colleges. Dollar value is a measure of a school's academic rating compared with the average price paid by students. Colleges which are ranked "n/a" didn't report sufficient data to formulate a score. Learn more about our rating methodology.
All price data are reprinted from the U.S. Department of Education's 2021/2022 IPEDS Survey and reflect reported costs for the 2021/2022 academic year.
| College | In State Total Cost | Rating | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
#1 Trident University InternationalCypress, Private For Profit |
$15,785 | NA | NA |
#2 World Mission UniversityLos Angeles, Private Not For Profit |
$16,121 | NA | NA |
#3 Bethesda University of CaliforniaAnaheim, Private Not For Profit |
$17,499 | NA | NA |
#4 University of Phoenix San Diego CampusSan Diego, Private For Profit |
$17,505 | NA | NA |
#5 University of Phoenix Sacramento Valley CampusSacramento, Private For Profit |
$17,533 | NA | NA |
#6 University of Phoenix Bay Area CampusSan Jose, Private For Profit |
$17,538 | NA | NA |
#7 University of Phoenix Central Valley CampusFresno, Private For Profit |
$17,539 | NA | NA |
#8 University of Phoenix Southern California CampusCosta Mesa, Private For Profit |
$17,550 | NA | NA |
#9 Shasta Bible College and Graduate SchoolRedding, Private Not For Profit |
$18,110 | NA | NA |
#10 San Diego State University Imperial Valley CampusCalexico, Public Not For Profit |
$18,528 | NA | NA |
#11 California State University FresnoFresno, Public Not For Profit |
$18,536 | 33 | 57 |
#12 SUM Bible College and Theological SeminaryOakland, Private Not For Profit |
$18,820 | NA | NA |
#13 California State University Monterey BaySeaside, Public Not For Profit |
$18,935 | 35 | 26 |
#14 California Christian CollegeFresno, Private Not For Profit |
$19,773 | NA | NA |
#15 The National Hispanic UniversitySan Jose, Private For Profit |
$19,946 | NA | NA |
#16 California State University NorthridgeNorthridge, Public Not For Profit |
$20,031 | 34 | 47 |
#17 California Maritime AcademyVallejo, Public Not For Profit |
$20,090 | NA | NA |
#18 California State University StanislausTurlock, Public Not For Profit |
$20,445 | NA | NA |
#19 Lincoln UniversityOakland, Private Not For Profit |
$20,670 | NA | NA |
#20 Horizon College San DiegoSan Diego, Private Not For Profit |
$21,093 | NA | NA |