California

Colleges in California: what they cost, and what graduates earn

77 California universities with published federal data, teaching about 781,351 students. Median in-state tuition $16,176, median graduate earnings $66,677 ten years after entry.

Median tuition$16,176in-state, before aid
Median earnings$66,67710 yrs after entry
Paying loans down67%national 65%
Median SAT1359where published

Cheapest universities in CaliforniaLowest published in-state tuition.

UniversityIn-stateEarningsDebtRepayingSAT
Irvine Valley College Irvine $1,156 $49,156 $6,500 41%
Shasta College Redding $1,197 $39,269 $14,250 34%
University of the People Pasadena $1,400
Sierra College Rocklin $1,446 $45,294 $10,500 32%
California State University Channel Islands Camarillo $7,159 $62,152 $15,000 66%
California State University, Los Angeles Los Angeles $7,160 $59,211 $13,000 58%
California State University, Fresno Fresno $7,350 $61,244 $14,505 64%
California State University, Long Beach Long Beach $7,350 $64,403 $14,289 71%

Highest graduate earnings in CaliforniaMedian pay ten years after entry.

UniversityIn-stateEarningsDebtRepayingSAT
Harvey Mudd College Claremont $68,613 $138,687 $25,000 1545
California Institute of Technology Pasadena $65,898 $128,566
Stanford University Stanford $65,910 $124,080 $12,000 90% 1553
Santa Clara University Santa Clara $61,293 $109,183 $19,162 88% 1426
Claremont McKenna College Claremont $67,980 $104,736 $13,500 1527
University of Southern California Los Angeles $72,097 $92,498 $18,000 80% 1495
University of California, Berkeley Berkeley $16,347 $92,446 $13,000 80%
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo $13,596 $90,768 $18,500 87%

Fastest debt payback in CaliforniaYears of salary premium needed to clear the median debt.

UniversityIn-stateEarningsDebtRepayingSAT
Stanford University Stanford $65,910 $124,080 $12,000 90% 1553
Claremont McKenna College Claremont $67,980 $104,736 $13,500 1527
Harvey Mudd College Claremont $68,613 $138,687 $25,000 1545
University of California, Berkeley Berkeley $16,347 $92,446 $13,000 80%
Santa Clara University Santa Clara $61,293 $109,183 $19,162 88% 1426
Pomona College Claremont $65,420 $77,779 $11,782 85% 1534
University of California Davis Davis $16,774 $80,838 $13,000 83%
University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles $15,203 $82,511 $14,000 79%

Most selective universities in CaliforniaHighest average SAT of admitted students.

UniversityIn-stateEarningsDebtRepayingSAT
Stanford University Stanford $65,910 $124,080 $12,000 90% 1553
Harvey Mudd College Claremont $68,613 $138,687 $25,000 1545
Pomona College Claremont $65,420 $77,779 $11,782 85% 1534
Claremont McKenna College Claremont $67,980 $104,736 $13,500 1527
University of Southern California Los Angeles $72,097 $92,498 $18,000 80% 1495
Occidental College Los Angeles $66,274 $75,951 $23,000 88% 1452
SOKA University of America Aliso Viejo $38,728 $55,017 $15,650 79% 1440
Santa Clara University Santa Clara $61,293 $109,183 $19,162 88% 1426

Every California university we hold data for

Studying in California: common questions

How much does college cost in California?
The median California university charges $16,176 in-state and $39,978 out-of-state, with a full cost of attendance around $41,208. After aid, families under $30,000 pay a median $9,816.
What do graduates of California universities earn?
A median $66,677 ten years after entry, against median debt of $16,705.
Do students in California repay their loans?
67% of borrowers at the median California university are paying their balance down three years after leaving, against 65% nationally.
What SAT score do California universities expect?
The median California university that publishes scores reports an average SAT of 1359. Many are test-optional and publish nothing.

Source: US Department of Education College Scorecard. Universities without published figures are not listed.