California In State Total Cost Ranking

The Cheapest Colleges in California by In State Total Cost for 2023

Cheapest Colleges in California by In State Total Cost

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.

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California's Cheapest Colleges by In State Total Cost
College In State Total Cost Rating Value
#1 Trident University International

Cypress, Private For Profit

$15,785 NA NA
#2 World Mission University

Los Angeles, Private Not For Profit

$16,121 NA NA
#3 Bethesda University of California

Anaheim, Private Not For Profit

$17,499 NA NA
#4 University of Phoenix San Diego Campus

San Diego, Private For Profit

$17,505 NA NA
#5 University of Phoenix Sacramento Valley Campus

Sacramento, Private For Profit

$17,533 NA NA
#6 University of Phoenix Bay Area Campus

San Jose, Private For Profit

$17,538 NA NA
#7 University of Phoenix Central Valley Campus

Fresno, Private For Profit

$17,539 NA NA
#8 University of Phoenix Southern California Campus

Costa Mesa, Private For Profit

$17,550 NA NA
#9 Shasta Bible College and Graduate School

Redding, Private Not For Profit

$18,110 NA NA
#10 San Diego State University Imperial Valley Campus

Calexico, Public Not For Profit

$18,528 NA NA
#11 California State University Fresno

Fresno, Public Not For Profit

$18,536 33 57
#12 SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary

Oakland, Private Not For Profit

$18,820 NA NA
#13 California State University Monterey Bay

Seaside, Public Not For Profit

$18,935 35 26
#14 California Christian College

Fresno, Private Not For Profit

$19,773 NA NA
#15 The National Hispanic University

San Jose, Private For Profit

$19,946 NA NA
#16 California State University Northridge

Northridge, Public Not For Profit

$20,031 34 47
#17 California Maritime Academy

Vallejo, Public Not For Profit

$20,090 NA NA
#18 California State University Stanislaus

Turlock, Public Not For Profit

$20,445 NA NA
#19 Lincoln University

Oakland, Private Not For Profit

$20,670 NA NA
#20 Horizon College San Diego

San Diego, Private Not For Profit

$21,093 NA NA