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Colleges / California State University, Los Angeles

California State University, Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA 4-Year Public
Acceptance Rate87%

CSU Los Angeles Tuition Information

In 2022, tuition for full-time CSU Los Angeles students was $6,814 a year for in-state students and $16,318 a year for out-of-state students.

On average, college tuition rises about 3% year.

Remember, the advertized cost of tuition does not always give you enough information to determine the actual cost of attending any given college. Many students pay far less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are applied. Additionally, student loans can make the amount you do have to pay for college more manageable until after graduation.

International students can expect to pay 16,318 per year for tuition at California State University, Los Angeles.

California State University, Los Angeles meets 72.3% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. First-year students that attend California State University, Los Angeles full-time are awarded $15,541 a year in financial aid, on average.

Graduates in the class of 2023 had an average of $12,448 in student loans per borrower.

Does California State University, Los Angeles Offer In-State and Out-of-State Tuition?

California State University, Los Angeles is a public, state institution, which means it offers a reduced tuition rate of $6,814 for students who qualify as state residents and attend full-time. For non-California residents, out-of-state tuition is $16,318 a year.

Public schools receive funds from the state to help them cover costs. Public insitutions often offer reduced tuition for students who are residents of that state.

Choosing a school where you qualify for in-state tuition can drastically reduce the overall cost of college. Be sure to check your state's guidelines for how to qualify for in-state tuition. Each state has different requirements to qualify as in-state resident. Most states require students to have resided in the state for a certain period of time before qualifying. There may be other criteria too, depending on the state you and your parents currently reside in.

Explore other California colleges

Tuition for International Students at California State University, Los Angeles

California State University, Los Angeles has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

International students at California State University, Los Angeles can expect to pay around $16,318 per year, before any scholarships, grants or other financial aid.

Students from outside of the U.S. usually do not qualify for for federal financial aid, but should research private or California State University, Los Angeles-specific aid and scholarships. International students with need may be eligible for the following types of financial support at California State University, Los Angeles:

•On-campus jobs •California State University, Los Angeles-specific scholarships


California State University, Los Angeles Housing Expenses, Fees, and More


In addition to the cost of tuition, room and board, books, transportation and fees are also costs it consider when budgeting for college. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at California State University, Los Angeles.

House and Food Costs at California State University, Los Angeles

Housing and campus dining at California State University, Los Angeles costs $18,658 a year. This covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, and a dining plan that enables you to eat in the school dining facilities.

Meal-plan costs can depend on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

Cost of Books at California State University, Los Angeles

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The actual cost of books and supplies depends on the courses you take and the textbooks, computer programs, or other materials are required.. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy used textbooks and materials.

Yearly Fees

Most schools also have fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

There may be optional fees associated with participating in certain activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Many schools offer resources for students who may struggle to participate because of cost can get help covering these fees.

The Cost of Transportation at California State University, Los Angeles

The cost of transportation in college can really vary. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Is on-campus parking free, or will you need to budget for parking? Is the campus small enough that you can easily walk from class-to-class?? Do you own a car, or are you planning to use busses, subways, or other modes of transportation? All of these questions can drastically impact your estimated cost of transportation. Keeping in mind, first-year students are allowed to park a car on campus.

Where are a college is located can impact your transportation budget. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, transportation in a city is usually expensive, but cities may offer more trains, busses or affordable flights to actually get to school. The California State University, Los Angeles campus is located in a city in California, not far from Los Angeles.

Other Costs

When creating a budget for college, be sure to consider the cost of things like movies, takeouts, furniture or appliances for your dorm or housing, and essentials like laundry detergent, toothpaste and toilet paper.


Total Tuition and Expenses at California State University, Los Angeles


Now, let’s go over all of the costs we've covered, to get a better estimate of what is really costs to go to California State University, Los Angeles.

Total Cost of California State University, Los Angeles

What will the cost of attending California State University, Los Angeles be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition $6,814
Out-of-State Tuition $16,318
Room and Board $18,658

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

California State University, Los Angeles’s tuition and fees change based on: •Academic program for both full and part-time students •Course load for both full and part-time students


California State University, Los Angeles Financial Aid


The majority of California State University, Los Angeles undergrads use financial aid to help pay for school. In 2023, 16,281 of the 22,538 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. California State University, Los Angeles meets 72.3% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $15,541 a year. Around 76.89% of California State University, Los Angeles undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. California State University, Los Angeles graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $12,448 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans $12,566
State Loans $6,183
Private Loans $11,901
Most Common Loans for California State University, Los Angeles Students
Federal Loans 73.24%
State loans 3.53%
Private loans 1.26%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on California State University, Los Angeles financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at California State University, Los Angeles

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, California State University, Los Angeles awarded 15,325 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $259.5 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school.

California State University, Los Angeles Net Cost

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for California State University, Los Angeles students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at California State University, Los Angeles was $15,541 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of California State University, Los Angeles seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
In-State, On-Campus $-4,540
Net In-state, Off-campus $-3,503
Out-of-State, On-Campus $20,505

Note: a negative number can indicate that a refund will be given to use toward other expenses such as housing, fees, and books. In such cases, be sure to reach out to the school directly for any clarification or questions.

What will attending California State University, Los Angeles really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families understand the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the California State University, Los Angeles's net cost calculator on their website.

California State University, Los Angeles Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

California State University, Los Angeles does not have guaranteed tuition.

California State University, Los Angeles offers an Installment Payment Plan, which allows students to pay tuition in a series of smaller chunks instead of one lump sum.

Does CSU Los Angeles Offer Tuition Waivers?

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to offset the cost of attending. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

CSU Los Angeles has some full or partial tuition waivers available for: - Employees or Children of Employees

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

California State University, Los Angeles's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

As of 2022, the total market value of California State University, Los Angeles's endowment was $46.2 million. The average college endowment was $905 million in 2021. For each full-time student, California State University, Los Angeles spends about $7,290 a year.


Learn More About California State University, Los Angeles


To learn more about California State University, Los Angeles, choose from the options below:

Overview

Student Life

Academics

Admissions

Join the conversation about about California State University, Los Angeles in the College Confidential forums

CSU Los Angeles Tuition & Fees

Tuition & Fees

$26,542

In State

$36,046

Out-of-State
Cost Breakdown
In State
Out-of-State
State Tuition
$6,814
$16,318
Fees
$1,070
$1,070
Housing
$18,658
$18,658
Books
Unknown
Unknown

CSU Los Angeles Financial Aid

Students Who Receive Need-Based Aid

82%

Average Financial Aid Package

$16,886

Data Source: IPEDs and Peterson's Databases © 2022 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved

Quick Facts

Total Enrollment

26,029

Campus Setting

Urban

Acceptance Rate

87%

Tuition and Fees

In State

$7,884

Out-of-State

$17,388

Fall Freshmen
Application Deadline

Aug 21
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