Discover the average cost of in-state and out-of-state tuition in California and learn about the requirements for qualifying for in-state rates.
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Writer & Editor
Danika Miller is a senior writer at BestColleges and Accredited Schools Online. Her writing has also appeared in Grad School Hub, Best Value Schools, Affordable Colleges Online, and Her Campus. Her financial expertise has been featured in The Simple ...
Updated on February 23, 2024
Edited by
Editor & Writer
Raneem Taleb-Agha is a copy editor for BestColleges. Previously, she worked as a bilingual educator in both the U.S. and Spain before transitioning to editing and writing. She holds a BA in Spanish and Near Eastern Studies from UC Berkeley....
Learn more about our editorial process
By
Writer & Editor
Danika Miller is a senior writer at BestColleges and Accredited Schools Online. Her writing has also appeared in Grad School Hub, Best Value Schools, Affordable Colleges Online, and Her Campus. Her financial expertise has been featured in The Simple ...
Edited by
Editor & Writer
Raneem Taleb-Agha is a copy editor for BestColleges. Previously, she worked as a bilingual educator in both the U.S. and Spain before transitioning to editing and writing. She holds a BA in Spanish and Near Eastern Studies from UC Berkeley....
Updated on February 23, 2024
Learn more about our editorial process
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Pursuing a college degree in California can provide more than just fun in the sun. Educational opportunities and the state's booming agriculture, tech, and entertainment industries are among the factors that make studying in California worth the high cost of living.
The cost of tuition is often a major factor in deciding where to attend college. For those looking to attend college in California, the average tuition rates for in-state residents are below the national average. However, out-of-state students can expect to pay significantly more.
On this page, we'll discuss the average cost of tuition in California and the requirements for gaining in-state residency status in the Golden State.
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How Much Is In-State Tuition in California?
Despite the high cost of living in many areas of California, the average tuition rates for in-state residents are cheaper than the national average. In 2021-2022, the average tuition and fees for a public four-year institution was $8,559 for in-state residents of California, compared to $9,596 for the national average.
For public two-year institutions, California residents' average tuition and fees was $1,281 a year. This is nearly one-third the national average cost of tuition and fees for in-state residents attending a two-year institution.
| Institution Type | Average Cost of Tuition and Fees |
|---|---|
| Public 4-year (in-state) | $8,559 |
| Public 2-year (in-state) | $1,281 |
How to Get In-State Tuition in California
You can qualify for in-state tuition in California by meeting certain requirements, including establishing a physical presence and demonstrating an intention to stay in California.
To qualify for in-state tuition in California, you must:
- Be a legal citizen or permanent resident of the United States
- Have spent at least one year leading up to the first day of classes as a physical resident of California
- Verify that you are financially independent
- Plan to live as a legal resident in California for at least one year after graduation
You may have to get a California driver's license or state ID, register to vote in California, and file state income tax returns in California to prove your intent to stay in California after graduation.
How Much Is Out-of-State Tuition in California?
The average tuition for out-of-state students at California's public four-year colleges is notably higher than tuition for in-state students. The average cost of out-of-state tuition and fees at a public, four-year school was $34,454 in 2021-2022, higher than the national average out-of-state tuition.
Out-of-state tuition is significantly more expensive for two-year institutions as well. The average cost of out-of-state tuition for public two-year colleges in California was $8,936 in 2021-2022, about $500 higher than the national average.
The same year, the average cost of tuition and fees for private four-year colleges in California was $39,068, regardless of residency status.
| Institution Type | Average Cost of Tuition and Fees |
|---|---|
| Public 4-year | $34,454 |
| Public 2-year | $8,936 |
| Private 4-year | $39,068 |
Can Out-of-State Students Get In-State Tuition in California?
Even if you are not a California resident, there are a few ways to gain in-state tuition rates. However, these options may not apply to every out-of-state student.
California participates in the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) program. This initiative allows residents of certain states to receive in-state tuition or a significantly reduced tuition rate at participating undergraduate programs in California. If you live in a qualifying state, it can be a fantastic opportunity to expand your educational horizons while keeping your costs manageable.
WUE states include Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
Your academic achievements may also help you pay in-state tuition rates in California. Some colleges offer scholarships to students who graduate from high school with a high GPA or to those who perform exceptionally well on national standardized tests, which can offset the cost of out-of-state tuition.
Cost of Tuition at California Colleges
The cost of tuition varies across different colleges in California. Private colleges in California like Stanford, USC, and CalTech are typically the most expensive to attend, with tuition costs at around $60,000 — regardless of state residency.
Out-of-state tuition rates in the University of California (UC) system rates vary by campus, but are typically around $45,000. In-state students at UC schools can expect to pay closer to $15,000.
The California State University system will likely be the most affordable for in-state students, with tuition rates at around $6,000.
| School | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| Stanford University | $58,416 | $58,416 |
| University of Southern California | $64,726 | $64,726 |
| California Institute of Technology | $60,864 | $60,864 |
| Pomona College | $59,238 | $59,238 |
| Pepperdine University | $63,142 | $63,142 |
| University of San Diego | $54,554 | $54,554 |
| University of California, Los Angeles | $13,401 | $43,473 |
| University of California, Berkeley | $14,395 | $44,467 |
| University of California, San Diego | $14,906 | $44,978 |
| San Diego State University | $8,174 | $20,054 |
| University of California, Irvine | $13,939 | $44,011 |
| California State University, Long Beach | $6,884 | $18,764 |
| California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo | $10,319 | $28,229 |
Frequently Asked Questions About In-State vs. Out-of-State Tuition in California
Why is out-of-state tuition so much higher than in-state tuition?
Taxes are the most commonly named reason for the difference in tuition rates. Because public universities receive funding from state tax dollars, in-state residents have already contributed to their funding by paying state taxes.
Since out-of-state residents have not paid any state taxes, their tax dollars have not contributed to any money going toward those schools. That's why they pay higher tuition rates.
How long do you have to live in California to get in-state tuition?
To qualify for in-state tuition, you need to have been living in California for more than a year (366 days) before the date when residency is determined, which is usually the first day of classes.
In addition to establishing a physical presence, you must also demonstrate the intention to make California your home for at least a year after graduation by establishing legal ties in California, like registering to vote and obtaining a California driver's license.
Does California have tuition reciprocity with any other states?
Yes, California is a part of the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE), a program that allows residents of specific states to enjoy the benefits of in-state tuition or a reduced rate in various undergraduate programs within California. However, not all California schools participate in this program.
WUE-participating states include Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
California is also the Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) and the Professional Student Exchange Program (PSEP). WRGP provides discounted tuition rates for certain graduate degrees, certificate programs, and doctoral degrees. PSEP provides special tuition rates for those pursuing healthcare degrees.
What is a California nonresident tuition exemption?
California offers nonresident tuition exemptions for prospective students with unique circ*mstances, like refugee status or being a non-legal resident of the United States.
Other qualifying exemptions include being a foster child, a child or spouse of a deceased police officer or firefighter who was a California resident at the time of their death, a veteran, or the victim of a domestic violence situation.
