The Cheapest Colleges in California by In State Tuition for 2022
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 tuition. 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 tuition 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.
The most affordable four year colleges in California are listed by one year's in state tuition list price for the 2020/2021 school year.
What is the cheapest college in California? Leading the colleges list is Taft University System in Santa Ana with an in state tuition of $3,292.
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 2020/2021 IPEDS Survey and reflect reported costs for the 2020/2021 academic year.
College | In State Tuition | Rating | Value |
---|---|---|---|
#1 Taft University SystemSanta Ana, Private For Profit |
$3,292 | NA | NA |
#2 San Diego State University Imperial Valley CampusCalexico, Public Not For Profit |
$5,472 | NA | NA |
#3 California Polytechnic State University San Luis ObispoSan Luis Obispo, Public Not For Profit |
$5,742 | 75 | 52 |
#4 California State University BakersfieldBakersfield, Public Not For Profit |
$5,742 | NA | NA |
#5 California State University StanislausTurlock, Public Not For Profit |
$5,742 | NA | NA |
#6 California State University San BernardinoSan Bernardino, Public Not For Profit |
$5,742 | 34 | 45 |
#7 California State Polytechnic University PomonaPomona, Public Not For Profit |
$5,742 | 53 | 32 |
#8 California State University ChicoChico, Public Not For Profit |
$5,742 | 46 | 29 |
#9 California State University Dominguez HillsCarson, Public Not For Profit |
$5,742 | NA | NA |
#10 California State University FresnoFresno, Public Not For Profit |
$5,742 | 36 | 63 |
#11 California State University FullertonFullerton, Public Not For Profit |
$5,742 | 46 | 46 |
#12 California State University East BayHayward, Public Not For Profit |
$5,742 | NA | NA |
#13 California State University Long BeachLong Beach, Public Not For Profit |
$5,742 | 56 | 66 |
#14 California State University Los AngelesLos Angeles, Public Not For Profit |
$5,742 | 32 | 55 |
#15 California State University NorthridgeNorthridge, Public Not For Profit |
$5,742 | 39 | 57 |
#16 California State University SacramentoSacramento, Public Not For Profit |
$5,742 | 40 | 31 |
#17 California Maritime AcademyVallejo, Public Not For Profit |
$5,742 | NA | NA |
#18 Humboldt State UniversityArcata, Public Not For Profit |
$5,742 | 39 | 23 |
#19 San Diego State UniversitySan Diego, Public Not For Profit |
$5,742 | 63 | 57 |
#20 San Francisco State UniversitySan Francisco, Public Not For Profit |
$5,742 | 42 | 25 |
#21 San Jose State UniversitySan Jose, Public Not For Profit |
$5,742 | 54 | 37 |
#22 Sonoma State UniversityRohnert Park, Public Not For Profit |
$5,742 | 45 | 23 |
#23 California State University San MarcosSan Marcos, Public Not For Profit |
$5,742 | 41 | 30 |
#24 California State University Monterey BaySeaside, Public Not For Profit |
$5,742 | 38 | 23 |
#25 California State University Channel IslandsCamarillo, Public Not For Profit |
$5,742 | NA | NA |
#26 World Mission UniversityLos Angeles, Private Not For Profit |
$6,240 | NA | NA |
#27 Bethesda University of CaliforniaAnaheim, Private Not For Profit |
$6,360 | NA | NA |
#28 The National Hispanic UniversitySan Jose, Private For Profit |
$7,896 | NA | NA |
#29 Epic Bible CollegeSacramento, Private Not For Profit |
$8,964 | NA | NA |
#30 Horizon College San DiegoSan Diego, Private Not For Profit |
$9,000 | NA | NA |
#31 Trident University InternationalCypress, Private For Profit |
$9,240 | NA | NA |
#32 California Christian CollegeFresno, Private Not For Profit |
$9,360 | NA | NA |
#33 Pacific College of Oriental Medicine LLC San DiegoSan Diego, Private For Profit |
$9,571 | NA | NA |
#34 SUM Bible College and Theological SeminaryOakland, Private Not For Profit |
$9,600 | NA | NA |
#35 University of Phoenix San Diego CampusSan Diego, Private For Profit |
$10,515 | NA | NA |
#36 University of Phoenix Sacramento Valley CampusSacramento, Private For Profit |
$10,543 | NA | NA |
#37 University of Phoenix Bay Area CampusSan Jose, Private For Profit |
$10,548 | NA | NA |
#38 University of Phoenix Central Valley CampusFresno, Private For Profit |
$10,549 | NA | NA |
#39 University of Phoenix Southern California CampusCosta Mesa, Private For Profit |
$10,560 | NA | NA |
#40 Azusa Pacific Online UniversityGlendora, Private Not For Profit |
$10,800 | NA | NA |
#41 Lincoln UniversityOakland, Private Not For Profit |
$10,920 | NA | NA |
#42 University of California BerkeleyBerkeley, Public Not For Profit |
$11,442 | 86 | 94 |
#43 University of California DavisDavis, Public Not For Profit |
$11,442 | 81 | 94 |
#44 University of California IrvineIrvine, Public Not For Profit |
$11,442 | 81 | 95 |
#45 University of California Los AngelesLos Angeles, Public Not For Profit |
$11,442 | 86 | 93 |
#46 University of California RiversideRiverside, Public Not For Profit |
$11,442 | 67 | 88 |
#47 University of California San DiegoLa Jolla, Public Not For Profit |
$11,442 | 82 | 95 |
#48 University of California Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara, Public Not For Profit |
$11,442 | 79 | 94 |
#49 University of California Santa CruzSanta Cruz, Public Not For Profit |
$11,442 | 67 | 76 |
#50 Santa Barbara Business College BakersfieldBakersfield, Private For Profit |
$11,558 | NA | NA |
#51 Santa Barbara Business College Santa MariaSanta Maria, Private For Profit |
$11,558 | NA | NA |
#52 Shasta Bible College and Graduate SchoolRedding, Private Not For Profit |
$12,000 | NA | NA |
#53 Pacific States UniversityLos Angeles, Private Not For Profit |
$12,420 | NA | NA |
#54 University of the WestRosemead, Private Not For Profit |
$12,528 | NA | NA |
#55 University of California MercedMerced, Public Not For Profit |
$12,570 | 49 | 89 |
#56 Dell'Arte International School of Physical TheatreBlue Lake, Private Not For Profit |
$12,600 | NA | NA |
#57 National UniversityLa Jolla, Private Not For Profit |
$13,320 | NA | NA |
#58 Charles R Drew University of Medicine and ScienceLos Angeles, Private Not For Profit |
$13,872 | NA | NA |
#59 King's UniversityVan Nuys, Private Not For Profit |
$14,100 | 39 | 5 |
#60 Mt Sierra CollegeMonrovia, Private For Profit |
$14,220 | NA | NA |
#61 Platt College Los AngelesAlhambra, Private For Profit |
$14,279 | NA | NA |
#62 Platt College OntarioOntario, Private For Profit |
$14,279 | NA | NA |
#63 Touro College Los AngelesLos Angeles, Private Not For Profit |
$14,400 | NA | NA |
#64 Humphreys College Stockton and Modesto CampusesStockton, Private Not For Profit |
$14,580 | NA | NA |
#65 Yeshiva Ohr Elchonon Chabad West Coast Talmudical SeminaryLos Angeles, Private Not For Profit |
$15,000 | NA | NA |
#66 Southern California SeminaryEl Cajon, Private Not For Profit |
$15,588 | NA | NA |
#67 Southern California Institute of TechnologyAnaheim, Private For Profit |
$15,790 | NA | NA |
#68 DeVry University CaliforniaPomona, Private For Profit |
$15,835 | NA | NA |
#69 Life Pacific CollegeSan Dimas, Private Not For Profit |
$16,584 | 33 | 5 |
#70 Platt College San DiegoSan Diego, Private For Profit |
$17,125 | NA | NA |
#71 Santa Barbara Business College VenturaVentura, Private For Profit |
$17,640 | NA | NA |
#72 California College San DiegoSan Diego, Private For Profit |
$18,480 | NA | NA |
#73 Coleman UniversitySan Diego, Private Not For Profit |
$20,700 | NA | NA |
#74 Cogswell CollegeSunnyvale, Private For Profit |
$20,784 | NA | NA |
#75 American University of Health SciencesSignal Hill, Private For Profit |
$21,420 | NA | NA |
#76 Expression College for Digital ArtsEmeryville, Private For Profit |
$22,000 | NA | NA |
#77 West Coast University Orange CountyAnaheim, Private For Profit |
$23,186 | NA | NA |
#78 Musicians InstituteHollywood, Private For Profit |
$24,525 | NA | NA |
#79 Design Institute of San DiegoSan Diego, Private For Profit |
$25,500 | NA | NA |
#80 Columbia College HollywoodTarzana, Private Not For Profit |
$25,680 | NA | NA |
#81 Thomas Aquinas CollegeSanta Paula, Private Not For Profit |
$26,000 | 67 | 47 |
#82 John Paul the Great Catholic UniversitySan Diego, Private Not For Profit |
$26,100 | 53 | 12 |
#83 The Master's College and SeminarySanta Clarita, Private Not For Profit |
$27,950 | NA | NA |
#84 Newschool of Architecture and DesignSan Diego, Private For Profit |
$28,827 | NA | NA |
#85 Mills CollegeOakland, Private Not For Profit |
$29,340 | 70 | 74 |
#86 American Conservatory TheaterSan Francisco, Private Not For Profit |
$30,235 | NA | NA |
#87 Pacific Union CollegeAngwin, Private Not For Profit |
$31,101 | 54 | 63 |
#88 FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising Los AngelesLos Angeles, Private For Profit |
$31,275 | NA | NA |
#89 FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising San FranciscoSan Francisco, Private For Profit |
$31,275 | NA | NA |
#90 American Jewish UniversityLos Angeles, Private Not For Profit |
$31,394 | NA | NA |
#91 San Diego Christian CollegeEl Cajon, Private Not For Profit |
$31,680 | 39 | 8 |
#92 Soka University of AmericaAliso Viejo, Private Not For Profit |
$32,250 | 90 | 99 |
#93 Providence Christian CollegePasadena, Private Not For Profit |
$32,546 | NA | NA |
#94 Laguna College of Art and DesignLaguna Beach, Private Not For Profit |
$32,600 | NA | NA |
#95 Simpson UniversityRedding, Private Not For Profit |
$32,700 | 56 | 65 |
#96 Fresno Pacific UniversityFresno, Private Not For Profit |
$32,954 | 41 | 50 |
#97 Hope International UniversityFullerton, Private Not For Profit |
$33,250 | 32 | 17 |
#98 California Baptist UniversityRiverside, Private Not For Profit |
$33,930 | 43 | 15 |
#99 West Coast University Los AngelesNorth Hollywood, Private For Profit |
$34,060 | NA | NA |
#100 West Coast University OntarioOntario, Private For Profit |
$34,060 | NA | NA |
#101 La Sierra UniversityRiverside, Private Not For Profit |
$34,218 | 39 | 15 |
#102 Marymount California UniversityRancho Palos Verdes, Private Not For Profit |
$35,158 | NA | NA |
#103 Vanguard University of Southern CaliforniaCosta Mesa, Private Not For Profit |
$35,850 | 46 | 52 |
#104 William Jessup UniversityRocklin, Private Not For Profit |
$36,000 | NA | NA |
#105 Notre Dame de Namur UniversityBelmont, Private Not For Profit |
$36,306 | NA | NA |
#106 Concordia University IrvineIrvine, Private Not For Profit |
$37,250 | 47 | 22 |
#107 Point Loma Nazarene UniversitySan Diego, Private Not For Profit |
$37,600 | 61 | 29 |
#108 Holy Names UniversityOakland, Private Not For Profit |
$40,368 | NA | NA |
#109 Azusa Pacific UniversityAzusa, Private Not For Profit |
$40,830 | NA | NA |
#110 Woodbury UniversityBurbank, Private Not For Profit |
$41,102 | NA | NA |
#111 Mount St. Mary's CollegeLos Angeles, Private Not For Profit |
$43,224 | 53 | 49 |
#112 Biola UniversityLa Mirada, Private Not For Profit |
$43,512 | 66 | 48 |
#113 University of La VerneLa Verne, Private Not For Profit |
$44,700 | 52 | 37 |
#114 Menlo CollegeAtherton, Private Not For Profit |
$45,050 | NA | NA |
#115 California Lutheran UniversityThousand Oaks, Private Not For Profit |
$45,500 | 61 | 62 |
#116 San Francisco Art InstituteSan Francisco, Private Not For Profit |
$45,664 | NA | NA |
#117 Art Center College of DesignPasadena, Private Not For Profit |
$45,776 | NA | NA |
#118 Otis College of Art and DesignLos Angeles, Private Not For Profit |
$46,500 | NA | NA |
#119 Westmont CollegeSanta Barbara, Private Not For Profit |
$46,980 | 74 | 82 |
#120 Dominican University of CaliforniaSan Rafael, Private Not For Profit |
$47,190 | 63 | 42 |
#121 San Francisco Conservatory of MusicSan Francisco, Private Not For Profit |
$47,800 | NA | NA |
#122 Southern California Institute of ArchitectureLos Angeles, Private Not For Profit |
$48,078 | 63 | 4 |
#123 Whittier CollegeWhittier, Private Not For Profit |
$48,924 | NA | NA |
#124 University of the PacificStockton, Private Not For Profit |
$50,370 | 75 | 81 |
#125 Saint Marys College of CaliforniaMoraga, Private Not For Profit |
$50,460 | 71 | 50 |
#126 California College of the ArtsOakland, Private Not For Profit |
$50,592 | NA | NA |
#127 Loyola Marymount UniversityLos Angeles, Private Not For Profit |
$51,820 | 86 | 51 |
#128 University of San FranciscoSan Francisco, Private Not For Profit |
$51,930 | 76 | 49 |
#129 University of San DiegoSan Diego, Private Not For Profit |
$52,120 | NA | NA |
#130 University of RedlandsRedlands, Private Not For Profit |
$52,150 | 67 | 79 |
#131 California Institute of the ArtsValencia, Private Not For Profit |
$52,850 | NA | NA |
#132 Santa Clara UniversitySanta Clara, Private Not For Profit |
$52,998 | 87 | 56 |
#133 Pomona CollegeClaremont, Private Not For Profit |
$54,380 | NA | NA |
#134 California Institute of TechnologyPasadena, Private Not For Profit |
$54,570 | 98 | 98 |
#135 Stanford UniversityStanford, Private Not For Profit |
$55,473 | 99 | 99 |
#136 Pitzer CollegeClaremont, Private Not For Profit |
$55,734 | NA | NA |
#137 Occidental CollegeLos Angeles, Private Not For Profit |
$55,980 | 85 | 80 |
#138 Claremont McKenna CollegeClaremont, Private Not For Profit |
$56,190 | 95 | 98 |
#139 Chapman UniversityOrange, Private Not For Profit |
$56,830 | 80 | 57 |
#140 Scripps CollegeClaremont, Private Not For Profit |
$56,970 | 90 | 85 |
#141 Pepperdine UniversityMalibu, Private Not For Profit |
$57,750 | 77 | 46 |
#142 Harvey Mudd CollegeClaremont, Private Not For Profit |
$58,359 | 90 | 92 |
#143 University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles, Private Not For Profit |
$59,260 | 92 | 89 |