California Student Loans, Financial Aid & College Costs
California College Cost Snapshot (2025-26)
Published tuition and cost-of-attendance averages across California institutions.
Top California Colleges by Published Tuition (2025-26)
Tuition and fees only for some of the top ranked schools. Click any column header to sort.
| School ↕ | Type ↕ | In-state T&F ↕ | Out-of-state T&F ↕ | Undergrad Enroll. ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UC Berkeley | Public 4-yr | $15,308 | $49,008 | 33,000 |
| UCLA | Public 4-yr | $13,804 | $46,326 | 33,000 |
| UC San Diego | Public 4-yr | $16,100 | $47,500 | 33,000 |
| UC Irvine | Public 4-yr | $15,000 | $47,000 | 30,000 |
| UC Davis | Public 4-yr | $15,000 | $47,500 | 31,000 |
| CSU Long Beach | Public 4-yr | $8,332 | $20,212 | 32,000 |
| San Diego State | Public 4-yr | $8,388 | $20,268 | 31,000 |
| Cal State Fullerton | Public 4-yr | $7,154 | $19,034 | 40,000 |
| San Jose State | Public 4-yr | $8,338 | $20,218 | 30,000 |
| Stanford University | Private | $65,127 | $65,127 | 7,700 |
| USC | Private | $70,557 | $70,557 | 20,000 |
| Santa Monica College | Community | $1,346 | $10,556 | 30,000 |
California State-Funded Aid Programs
Administered by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) or California Community Colleges.
Cal Grant
Tuition and fees at UC/CSU (and equivalents at private schools) for eligible CA residents at 4-year schools.
Middle Class Scholarship
Reduces tuition for CA undergrads at UC and CSU with family income up to $250,000.
California College Promise Grant
Tuition waiver at California community colleges for eligible CA residents. Many colleges also offer first-year + second-year free programs.
Chafee Grant (CA)
For CA residents who were in foster care. Federal-state partnership.
Student Loan Options for California Students
Start with federal aid before considering private loans. Federal borrower protections are stronger and rates are fixed.
Does California have a state student loan program?
No. California does not run a state nonprofit student lender. About a dozen states do — including MEFA (Massachusetts), RISLA (Rhode Island), Minnesota SELF, the Bank of North Dakota DEAL Student Loan, VSAC (Vermont), CHESLA (Connecticut), NJCLASS (New Jersey), ISL Education Lending (Iowa), NHHEAF/Granite State (New Hampshire), FAME (Maine), and Kentucky's Advantage Education Loan. These programs often price below major private banks. California residents should lean on federal loans first, then compare private lenders directly.
The order to follow
- File the FAFSA to unlock federal Pell Grants, California state grants, and Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized loans.
- Apply scholarships and 529 savings before borrowing a dollar. Every $1,000 in free aid saves roughly $1,400 in total loan cost over 10 years.
- Max federal Direct Loans next. Fixed rates, income-driven repayment, and forgiveness programs aren't available on private loans.
- Compare private student loans only for any remaining gap. Shop at least 3 lenders; cosigner rates typically run 1-3 points lower.
Private Student Loan Lenders We Recommend
If you've exhausted federal aid and still need to borrow, these are the lenders we track for rates and terms.
Credible
One form, prequalified offers from multiple private lenders. Shop rates without multiple hard credit pulls.
Compare Rates at Credible →College Ave
Flexible term lengths, no application or origination fees, and fast decisions.
Get A Quote At College Ave →Sallie Mae
Long-established lender with options for undergraduate, graduate, and career training programs.
See Sallie Mae Rates →Advertiser disclosure: The College Investor earns a commission from some of the lenders listed above. Our rankings are independent — compensation does not influence order or editorial recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from California students.
How much does college cost in California?
Average in-state tuition and fees at California public four-year universities is about $12,500 for 2025-26. Total cost of attendance (tuition, fees, room and board, books, and personal expenses) averages roughly $28,500 on campus for California residents and $47,200 for non-residents.
What is the average student loan debt in California?
California borrowers carry an average federal student loan balance of roughly $37,600. Total outstanding federal student debt for California residents is approximately $147.0 billion.
Does California offer state-funded college grants?
Yes. California has one of the most extensive state aid systems: Cal Grant A (full tuition at UC/CSU), Cal Grant B (Access Award + tuition), Cal Grant C (career/technical), the Middle Class Scholarship (up to 40% tuition reduction), and the California College Promise Grant (free community college).
Does California have a state student loan program?
No. California does not operate a state nonprofit student lender. About a dozen states do, including Massachusetts (MEFA), Rhode Island (RISLA), Minnesota (SELF), North Dakota (DEAL), and Kentucky (Advantage Education Loan). California residents should start with federal student loans through the FAFSA and compare private lenders for any remaining gap financing.
Which California colleges have the lowest in-state tuition?
CA community colleges are effectively free for eligible residents through the Promise Grant ($1,346 baseline enrollment fee waived). Among four-year publics, Cal State Fullerton is lowest at $7,154. USC is the highest at $70,557.
What scholarships are available for California residents?
Key awards include Cal Grant A, B, and C; Middle Class Scholarship; California College Promise Grant; and Chafee Grant. Stanford and USC offer substantial need-based institutional aid.
Related California Resources
How We Sourced This Data
- Institutional cost pages at California public universities (2025-26 published rates)
- Education Data Initiative state-level debt and cost tables
- California Student Aid Commission program pages
- NCES IPEDS data for enrollment and institutional cost profiles
Editor: Clint Proctor Reviewed by: Claire Tak