Most Affordable Colleges in California
14 colleges in California ranked by lowest in-state tuition. Starting at $1,188/year.
Colleges: 14 | Lowest Tuition: $1,188 | Avg Tuition: $15,588
Cheapest Colleges in California — Tuition Comparison
| # | College | City | Type | Tuition (In-State) | Earnings (10yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Monterey Peninsula College | Monterey | Public | $1,188 | $42,176 |
| 2 | Diablo Valley College | Pleasant Hill | Public | $1,312 | $51,378 |
| 3 | Santa Rosa Junior College | Santa Rosa | Public | $1,318 | $47,224 |
| 4 | California State Polytechnic University-Pomona | Pomona | Public | $7,780 | $71,902 |
| 5 | Columbia College - Imperial | Imperial | Private Nonprofit | $8,256 | $45,378 |
| 6 | Humphreys College-Modesto | Salida | Private Nonprofit | $13,500 | $39,248 |
| 7 | Platt College-Los Angeles | Alhambra | Private For-Profit | $14,922 | $40,669 |
| 8 | California Jazz Conservatory | Berkeley | Private Nonprofit | $15,000 | — |
| 9 | University of California-Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara | Public | $16,414 | $74,915 |
| 10 | University of California-San Diego | La Jolla | Public | $16,758 | $84,943 |
| 11 | The Chicago School at Los Angeles | Los Angeles | Private Nonprofit | $21,780 | $56,899 |
| 12 | Minerva University | San Francisco | Private Nonprofit | $23,630 | — |
| 13 | Fresno Pacific University | Fresno | Private Nonprofit | $36,660 | $58,896 |
| 14 | Simpson University | Redding | Private Nonprofit | $39,708 | $54,340 |
Affordable Colleges in Other States
- Affordable Colleges in Alabama
- Affordable Colleges in Alaska
- Affordable Colleges in Arizona
- Affordable Colleges in Arkansas
- Affordable Colleges in Colorado
- Affordable Colleges in Connecticut
- Affordable Colleges in Delaware
- Affordable Colleges in District of Columbia
- Affordable Colleges in Florida
- Affordable Colleges in Georgia
Explore More
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest college in California?
The most affordable college in California is Monterey Peninsula College with in-state tuition of $1,188.
How many affordable colleges are in California?
There are 14 colleges in California with published tuition data, sorted from cheapest to most expensive.
What is the average tuition in California?
The average in-state tuition across California colleges is $15,588 per year.
AI-generated analysis based on U.S. Department of Education data. Not enrollment advice. Verify information with the institution directly.