Lowest In State Tuition: Large Colleges and Universities


Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2018-19, National Center for Education Statistics, http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/

About the study

These are the least expensive post-secondary schools in the U.S. when it comes to the cost of in-state tuition and fees, based on information from the 2013-14 school year, as obtained from the National Center for Education Statistics. This list includes schools with a total enrollment of 10,000 or more students. Be aware that tuition and fees can be much higher for out-of-state students, particularly when room and board is factored in. On the other hand, scholarship and grants can help to offset tuition and fees, both for in-state and out-of-state students.

Interestingly, California dominates the list from top to bottom. Many, if not all of these schools, are community/technical colleges that offer certificates and Associate degrees. California actually has a large system of public, inexpensive 2-year schools for students living in its state, and students may also be able to find many 2+2 programs that allow them to transfer to a public university to complete a four-year education. In fact, according to the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office, there are more than 110 community colleges in the state, serving 2.1 million students.

All data comes from the National comes from the National Center for Education Statistics (http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/, 2013-2014).

Return to all Top College Lists

InstitutionCityStateTuition & FeesTotal Enrollment
Saddleback CollegeMission ViejoCA$76220871
San Joaquin Delta CollegeStocktonCA$1,10417629
Cosumnes River CollegeSacramentoCA$1,10413949
Sacramento City CollegeSacramentoCA$1,10423509
American River CollegeSacramentoCA$1,10429701
Antelope Valley CollegeLancasterCA$1,10414262
Victor Valley CollegeVictorvilleCA$1,11411504
Cypress CollegeCypressCA$1,13615881
Fullerton CollegeFullertonCA$1,13824301
Chabot CollegeHaywardCA$1,13813142
Santa Monica CollegeSanta MonicaCA$1,14029999
Santiago Canyon CollegeOrangeCA$1,14210939
San Diego City CollegeSan DiegoCA$1,14216310
San Diego Mesa CollegeSan DiegoCA$1,14224251
Fresno City CollegeFresnoCA$1,14221344
Reedley CollegeReedleyCA$1,14213807
Santa Ana CollegeSanta AnaCA$1,14228598
El Camino CollegeTorranceCA$1,14223996
Laney CollegeOaklandCA$1,14411362
Miracosta CollegeOceansideCA$1,14814537
Modesto Junior CollegeModestoCA$1,15017084
Sierra CollegeRocklinCA$1,15018374
Pasadena City CollegePasadenaCA$1,15225268
Chaffey CollegeRancho CucamongaCA$1,15319211
College of the CanyonsSanta ClaritaCA$1,15418508
Ohlone CollegeFremontCA$1,16210310
Citrus CollegeGlendoraCA$1,17412920
Golden West CollegeHuntington BeachCA$1,17612717
Rio Hondo CollegeWhittierCA$1,17816548
Long Beach City CollegeLong BeachCA$1,18224020
Orange Coast CollegeCosta MesaCA$1,18421886
Los Angeles Pierce CollegeWoodland HillsCA$1,22120080
Los Angeles Trade Technical CollegeLos AngelesCA$1,22113879
Los Angeles Valley CollegeValley GlenCA$1,22118762
Los Angeles City CollegeLos AngelesCA$1,22119635
San Bernardino Valley CollegeSan BernardinoCA$1,23812329
City College of San FranciscoSan FranciscoCA$1,27426706
Santa Rosa Junior CollegeSanta RosaCA$1,28022094
Diablo Valley CollegePleasant HillCA$1,29820286
Bakersfield CollegeBakersfieldCA$1,32417770
Palomar CollegeSan MarcosCA$1,32824665
Southwestern CollegeChula VistaCA$1,33419591
Mt San Antonio CollegeWalnutCA$1,34624841
Cerritos CollegeNorwalkCA$1,34621404
Allan Hancock CollegeSanta MariaCA$1,34610885
College of the SequoiasVisaliaCA$1,36210720
Mt San Jacinto CollegeSan JacintoCA$1,38614170
Grossmont CollegeEl CajonCA$1,38718618
College of San MateoSan MateoCA$1,4189337
Glendale Community CollegeGlendaleCA$1,97420872
You are visiting: