The Cheapest Colleges in California
If what you want are the cheapest colleges in California, the community college system there wins–hands down. If you are a resident of the state, you can attend a community college for only $26 per credit. That’s the price of a couple of large pizzas in many places. And you have a ton from which to choose. The California community college system features 112 colleges and spans more than 70 districts.
The low cost isn’t the only reason to attend a community college in California. You can get an excellent start in one of these schools. Many people opt to enroll in one of these schools and then transfer to four-year institutions to finish earning their degrees. They save so much on the first two years that spending money on a four-year school for the remaining years is a lot easier. Of course, these schools are also excellent choices for people who are looking to take career preparatory programs, earn certificates, pursue personal enrichment, or gain further knowledge for use in an established career.
If you prefer a four-year institution right from the start, one of the cheapest colleges in California is San Diego State University. You can attend this college for about $5,000 per year if you are a California resident. Non-residents have to add an additional $372 per credit to their costs. It’s important to note that housing can be expensive in San Diego. Those who choose to live on campus may spend over $11,000 for on-campus housing and meals. The cost of living off campus is up there too, so this school is cheapest for those who can live at home with their folks.
Another California option for those looking for the cheapest colleges is California State University, a four-year university that has 23 campuses from which you can choose. You can get your education for around $5,000 or less at one of these schools. For example, the California State University-Long Beach charges fees (This school doesn’t call it tuition for residents.) of about $4,370. Food and housing can be very expensive, however, so you may want to do some scholarship research to make it more affordable. Non-residents pay about $372 per credit hour on a semester unit or $248 for each quarter unit.
