How much will college cost me?

This page uses California public college prices. This is general information, not financial advice.

What makes up the cost?

Every college posts a cost of attendance. It is the college's estimate for one year. It has two parts:

• Bills you pay the college: tuition, campus fees, and campus housing and meals if you live there.
• Costs you pay elsewhere: rent and food off campus, books and supplies, transportation and personal costs.

Here is UC's own estimate for a new California resident in 2027 to 28:

Look at that. Tuition is about a third. Housing and food are the biggest piece. That is why living at home and starting at a community college can cut your cost so much.

What about community college and Cal State?

• Community college: the state enrollment fee is $46 per unit (Las Positas College). A full year of 30 units is about $1,380. The California College Promise Grant can waive that fee for eligible students, including AB 540 students who file the CA Dream Act Application. You still need money for books, transportation and living costs.
• Cal State: systemwide tuition is $6,838 for 2026 to 27 and $7,248 for 2027 to 28, on Cal State's tuition schedule. If you start in fall 2027, plan on $7,248. That is systemwide tuition only. Check your campus's cost of attendance page for campus fees and the full total.

How do I find my real cost?

Use this simple math for each college:

1. Full cost of attendance from the college's website.
2. Minus grants and scholarships. This is money you do not pay back.
3. Equals your net cost. This is what you and your family must cover with savings, work or loans.

Loans are not a discount. They lower what you pay now, but you pay them back later.

How does my status change the price?

A lot, in both directions.

• If you meet AB 540, you pay the in state price, whatever your immigration status. Without it, a new UC student in 2027 to 28 pays $57,300 in tuition instead of $16,278, and Cal State adds $498 for every semester unit. See Who qualifies for in state tuition in California?
• If you file the CA Dream Act Application, you can be considered for the Cal Grant, the Middle Class Scholarship and campus grants.
• Federal aid is not open to undocumented students, including DACA recipients (U.S. Department of Education). That means no federal grants or federal loans. State and college aid, plus scholarships, fill much of that gap.

How much can aid cover?

For 2026 to 2027, the largest Cal Grant tuition award for a new full time student was $15,588 at UC and $6,838 at Cal State. A Cal Grant access award for living costs was up to $1,648, or $6,000 for students with children and foster youth (Legislative Analyst's Office). Amounts for 2027 to 2028 depend on the next state budget. College grants can add more.

What could a year look like?

What do I do next?

1. Write down the full cost of attendance for each college on your list.
2. File the CA Dream Act Application or the FAFSA by March 2, 2027.
3. Apply for scholarships. Many do not ask about status. See How do I apply for scholarships without citizenship?
4. When offers arrive, compare your net cost, not the sticker price.

Who can help?

Contact them to confirm hours, languages and openings. Being listed here is not a referral or a promise of service.

• Each college's financial aid office, for its cost of attendance and your offer.
• Your college's Dream Center or Dream Resource Liaison.
• California Student Aid Commission: (888) 224-7268, studentsupport@csac.ca.gov. Free Cash for College workshops run October 1 to June 30.

Related questions

• How do I compare financial aid offers?
• How do in state tuition and the Dream Act work together?
• Can I get lower tuition?

The sticker price is not your price. Do the math, ask for every grant, and you may find college is closer than you thought.