This report looks at the cost of tuition for the University of California, focusing on how prices can differ based on a student’s California residency status and the level of degree they undertake.
Top University of California tuition fee stats
- As of 2022/23, California resident undergraduates at UC pay $11,928 for tuition annually across each campus.
- Nonresident undergraduates must also pay a supplement of $31,026 annually.
- Resident graduates pay $11,700 for tuition annually.
- Nonresident graduates must also pay a supplement of $15,102 annually.
- 55% of undergraduates attending the University of California do not pay tuition fees.
- On average, $18,000 in grants and scholarships are given to over 70% of California undergraduates to help with costs, which include tuition fees.
- Eligible students with total parent incomes of $80,000 or less can have their tuition fees covered by UC’s Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan.
- For students that do not qualify for financial aid, tuition fees can stay the same for up to 6 years with UC’s Tuition Stability Plan.
- This plan is applicable to California resident and nonresident students, allowing students to better estimate the total cost of their education.
Cost of tuition for undergraduates
- As of 2022/23, California resident undergraduates at UC pay $11,928 for tuition annually.
- The price of tuition for undergraduate residents has increased 4.25% over the given period.
- Undergraduate nonresidents pay $42,954 for tuition.
- The price of tuition for undergraduate nonresidents has increased 6.23% over the given period.
- Undergraduate nonresident fees are 3.60 times higher than those of residents.
| Resident status | 2018/19 | 2019/20 | 2020/21 | 2021/22 | 2022/23 | Change |
| Resident | $11,442 | $11,442 | $11,442 | $11,442 | $11,928 | + 4.25% |
| Nonresident* | $40,434 | $41,196 | $41,196 | $41,196 | $42,954 | + 6.23% |
A graph is given below to show the cost of tuition for undergraduates at UC institutions:
Cost of tuition for graduates
- As of 2022/23, California resident graduates at UC pay $11,700 for tuition annually.
- The price of tuition for graduate residents has increased 2.25% over the given period.
- Graduate nonresidents pay $26,802 for tuition.
- The price of tuition for graduate nonresidents has increased 0.97% over the given period.
- Graduate nonresident fees are 2.29 times higher than those of residents.
| Resident status | 2018/19 | 2019/20 | 2020/21 | 2021/22 | 2022/23 | Change |
| Resident | $11,442 | $11,442 | $11,442 | $11,442 | $11,700 | + 2.25% |
| Nonresident* | $26,544 | $26,544 | $26,544 | $26,544 | $26,802 | + 0.97% |
A graph is given below to show the cost of tuition for graduates at UC institutions:
University of California tuition fees FAQ
Which campuses offer undergraduate and graduate education?
- The University of California has 10 campuses in total, but only 9 offer education at both undergraduate and graduate level. These are as follows:
- The UC San Francisco campus only offers education at a graduate/professional level.
Can undergraduates obtain residency to lower tuition fees?
- If an undergraduate is looking to obtain California residency in order to lower tuition fees, it is extremely difficult if their parents are nonresidents.
- Almost all students with nonresident parents remain nonresidents during the course of their undergraduate education with UC.