California College Tuition Trends from 2015 to 2025

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Tuition trends by school type and level for California colleges

There are 265 four-year colleges and universities in California—53 public institutions and 212 private institutions. This page summarizes average tuition & fees and how costs have changed over time based on the latest available IPEDS data.

Undergraduate Tuition Trends

Public colleges: In 2025, average in-state tuition & fees are $7,245, while out-of-state tuition & fees are $21,818. Year-over-year, in-state costs changed by 4.64% and out-of-state costs changed by 5.47%. Since 2015, cumulative growth is 11.59% (in-state) and 23.32% (out-of-state).

Private colleges: The average tuition & fees are $31,176 in 2025. That is a 4.00% change from last year and 17.76% cumulative growth since 2015.

Graduate Tuition Trends

Public graduate schools: In 2025, average in-state graduate tuition & fees are $12,315, while out-of-state graduate tuition & fees are $22,966. Year-over-year, in-state costs changed by 4.77% and out-of-state costs changed by 4.19%. Since 2015, cumulative growth is 15.45% (in-state) and 2.43% (out-of-state).

Private graduate schools: The average graduate tuition & fees are $26,216 in 2025. That is a 6.17% change from last year and 25.28% cumulative growth since 2015.

Public vs. private comparison (increase rates): In 2025, private undergraduate tuition changed by 4.00% year-over-year. Public undergraduate in-state changed by 4.64% (higher by 0.63 percentage points vs. private), and public out-of-state changed by 5.47% (higher by 1.47 percentage points vs. private). Over the full period since 2015, private undergraduate tuition grew by 17.76%, compared with public in-state 11.59% (lower by 6.17 percentage points vs. private) and public out-of-state 23.32% (higher by 5.56 percentage points vs. private).

Graduate comparison: In 2025, private graduate tuition changed by 6.17% year-over-year. Public graduate in-state changed by 4.77% (lower by 1.40 percentage points vs. private), and public graduate out-of-state changed by 4.19% (lower by 1.98 percentage points vs. private). Since 2015, private graduate tuition grew by 25.28%, compared with public graduate in-state 15.45% (lower by 9.84 percentage points vs. private) and public graduate out-of-state 2.43% (lower by 22.86 percentage points vs. private).

COA Trends

Undergraduate cost of attendance change by school type (tuition & fees + room & board): In 2025, estimated on-campus COA is $28,236 (public in-state), $42,810 (public out-of-state), and $52,167 (private). Year-over-year, on-campus COA changed by 6.56%, 6.33%, and 5.28%, respectively. Since 2015, cumulative on-campus COA growth is 34.38% (public in-state), 32.90% (public out-of-state), and 27.26% (private).

Off-campus COA: In 2025, estimated off-campus COA is $32,771 (public in-state), $47,345 (public out-of-state), and $56,702 (private). Year-over-year, off-campus COA changed by 9.13%, 8.11%, and 6.82%. Since 2015, cumulative off-campus COA growth is 51.97% (public in-state), 44.50% (public out-of-state), and 36.48% (private).

Tuition & Fees Trends of California Colleges from 2015 to 2025

The tables and charts below show how average college tuition and fees have changed in California from 2015 through 2025.

All figures are based on the latest available IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) data published by the U.S. Department of Education. To keep the comparisons consistent, these averages reflect 4-year colleges and universities in California and exclude most community colleges and trade schools due to differences in reporting and availability.

Under. (Public) Under. (Private) Graduate (Public) Graduate (Private)
For California public schools, the 2025 undergraduate in-state tuition & fees are $7,245 which has increased by 11.59% over the current decade and the out-of-state cost is $21,818 which has risen by 23.32%. In average, the rate of increase in tuition is 2.33% while last year increase rate was 5.47%.
Table. Undergraduate Tuition Trends (Public Schools) From 2015 to 2025 for California Colleges
2015-20162016-20172017-20182018-20192019-20202020-20212021-20222022-20232023-20242024-2025
In-State Costs$6,543$6,590$6,681$6,623$6,777$6,685$6,718$6,789$6,924$7,245
Year-to-Year Rates0.78%0.72%1.39%-0.88%2.33%-1.36%0.49%1.05%1.99%4.64%
Cumulative Rates0.78%1.51%2.92%2.01%4.39%2.97%3.48%4.57%6.65%11.59%
Out-of-State Costs$18,085$18,651$19,249$19,258$19,916$19,936$20,026$20,163$20,687$21,818
Year-to-Year Rates2.22%3.13%3.20%0.05%3.42%0.10%0.45%0.68%2.60%5.47%
Cumulative Rates2.22%5.42%8.80%8.85%12.57%12.68%13.19%13.96%16.93%23.32%
For private schools in California state, the 2025 undergraduate tuition & fees are $31,176 which has increased by 17.76% over the current decade. In average, the rate of increase in tuition is 1.78% while last year increase rate was 4.00%.
Table. Undergraduate Tuition Trends (Private Schools) From 2015 to 2025 for California Colleges
2015-20162016-20172017-20182018-20192019-20202020-20212021-20222022-20232023-20242024-2025
Tuition & Fees$27,244$27,447$27,379$28,277$28,572$28,352$28,419$28,736$29,976$31,176
Year-to-Year Rates2.91%0.74%-0.25%3.28%1.04%-0.77%0.24%1.11%4.31%4.00%
Cumulative Rates2.91%3.68%3.42%6.82%7.93%7.10%7.35%8.55%13.23%17.76%
The average graduate school tuition & fees of California public schools are $12,315 which has increased by 15.45% over the current decade and the out-of-state graduate cost is $22,966 which has risen by 2.43%. In average, the rate of increase in graduate tuition is 0.24% while last year increase rate was 4.19%.
Table. Graduate Tuition Trends (Public Schools) From 2015 to 2025 for California Colleges
2015-20162016-20172017-20182018-20192019-20202020-20212021-20222022-20232023-20242024-2025
In-State Costs$10,857$10,656$11,143$11,237$11,309$11,494$11,534$11,557$11,754$12,315
Year-to-Year Rates1.78%-1.85%4.56%0.84%0.65%1.64%0.34%0.20%1.70%4.77%
Cumulative Rates1.78%-0.10%4.46%5.34%6.02%7.75%8.12%8.34%10.19%15.45%
Out-of-State Costs$21,075$20,555$21,410$21,525$21,598$22,202$21,822$21,846$22,043$22,966
Year-to-Year Rates-6.01%-2.47%4.16%0.54%0.34%2.80%-1.71%0.11%0.90%4.19%
Cumulative Rates-6.01%-8.32%-4.52%-4.00%-3.67%-0.98%-2.67%-2.57%-1.69%2.43%
For private graduate schools in California state, the 2025 tuition & fees are $26,216 which has increased by 25.28% over the current decade. In average, the rate of increase in graduate tuition is 2.52816% while last year increase rate was 6.17%.
Table. Graduate Tuition Trends (Private Schools) From 2015 to 2025 for California Colleges
2015-20162016-20172017-20182018-20192019-20202020-20212021-20222022-20232023-20242024-2025
Tuition & Fees$21,383$22,121$22,192$22,227$22,337$22,721$23,162$23,734$24,692$26,216
Year-to-Year Rates2.19%3.45%0.32%0.16%0.50%1.72%1.94%2.47%4.04%6.17%
Cumulative Rates2.19%5.71%6.05%6.22%6.75%8.58%10.69%13.42%18.00%25.28%
You can check the changes of other college costs including room & board costs, book & supplies, and other living expenses at California college cost trends.