Middle Class Affordability Rankings™ - State of California

Most Affordable Colleges in the state of California for 2026

About

Which colleges are most affordable for California residents ? The answer may surprise you.
These rankings of the most affordable colleges for California residents are based on the estimated net price for a "typical" middle class family living in the state of California.
Note: Net price is the actual cost of the school paid by the student and family, after factoring in merit and grant aid from the college federal programs and work study.The net prices displayed in these rankings are College Raptor's estimates.

“Typical” middle class family values used in the Net Price estimates on this page are:

  • Number of people in family: 4
  • Number of students in college: 1
  • Total income: $80,000
  • Total assets: $50,000
California
Rank Institution Typical Net Price Sticker Price % Savings Undergraduates Est. Median SAT Acceptance Rate Save
1 University of California-Los Angeles 0 36700 1 34,398 1399 0.0897
#1

#1 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

Sticker Price

$36,700

% Savings

100%

Undergraduates

34,398

Est. Median SAT

1,399

Acceptance Rate

9.0 %

2 Stanford University 4600 71500 0.9354 7,904 1535 0.0361
#2

#2 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Sticker Price

$71,500

% Savings

94%

Undergraduates

7,904

Est. Median SAT

1,535

Acceptance Rate

3.6 %

3 California Institute of Technology 6300 90300 0.9305 987 1557 0.0257
#3

#3 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, CA

Sticker Price

$90,300

% Savings

93%

Undergraduates

987

Est. Median SAT

1,557

Acceptance Rate

2.6 %

4 Pomona College 8900 88500 0.8998 1,766 1520 0.0709
#4

#4 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Pomona College
Claremont, CA

Sticker Price

$88,500

% Savings

90%

Undergraduates

1,766

Est. Median SAT

1,520

Acceptance Rate

7.1 %

5 University of California-Davis 10200 38000 0.7303 31,082 1290 0.4183
#5

#5 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of California-Davis
Davis, CA

Sticker Price

$38,000

% Savings

73%

Undergraduates

31,082

Est. Median SAT

1,290

Acceptance Rate

41.8 %

6 California State University-Stanislaus 10400 29100 0.644 8,455 950 0.9814
#6

#6 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

California State University-Stanislaus
Turlock, CA

Sticker Price

$29,100

% Savings

64%

Undergraduates

8,455

Est. Median SAT

950

Acceptance Rate

98.1 %

7 California State University-Fresno 10800 19700 0.4536 21,430 995 0.9638
#7

#7 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

California State University-Fresno
Fresno, CA

Sticker Price

$19,700

% Savings

45%

Undergraduates

21,430

Est. Median SAT

995

Acceptance Rate

96.4 %

8 University of California-San Diego 10900 34100 0.6794 34,808 1375 0.2677
#8

#8 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of California-San Diego
La Jolla, CA

Sticker Price

$34,100

% Savings

68%

Undergraduates

34,808

Est. Median SAT

1,375

Acceptance Rate

26.8 %

9 California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo 11200 26300 0.5727 21,917 1335 0.3122
#9

#9 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA

Sticker Price

$26,300

% Savings

57%

Undergraduates

21,917

Est. Median SAT

1,335

Acceptance Rate

31.2 %

10 California State Polytechnic University-Pomona 11500 12600 0.0906 25,194 1134 0.737
#10

#10 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
Pomona, CA

Sticker Price

$12,600

% Savings

9%

Undergraduates

25,194

Est. Median SAT

1,134

Acceptance Rate

73.7 %

11 California State University-Northridge 11600 23200 0.4976 32,352 1005 0.9219
#11

#11 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

California State University-Northridge
Northridge, CA

Sticker Price

$23,200

% Savings

50%

Undergraduates

32,352

Est. Median SAT

1,005

Acceptance Rate

92.2 %

12 Harvey Mudd College 12100 93100 0.8697 921 1528 0.1266
#12

#12 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Harvey Mudd College
Claremont, CA

Sticker Price

$93,100

% Savings

87%

Undergraduates

921

Est. Median SAT

1,528

Acceptance Rate

12.7 %

13 California State University-Channel Islands 12700 48400 0.738 5,290 975 0.9306
#13

#13 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

California State University-Channel Islands
Camarillo, CA

Sticker Price

$48,400

% Savings

74%

Undergraduates

5,290

Est. Median SAT

975

Acceptance Rate

93.1 %

14 University of California-Merced 13100 40400 0.6763 8,161 1070 0.9152
#14

#14 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of California-Merced
Merced, CA

Sticker Price

$40,400

% Savings

68%

Undergraduates

8,161

Est. Median SAT

1,070

Acceptance Rate

91.5 %

15 California State University-Bakersfield 13200 28300 0.5319 8,865 1050 0.8508
#15

#15 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

California State University-Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA

Sticker Price

$28,300

% Savings

53%

Undergraduates

8,865

Est. Median SAT

1,050

Acceptance Rate

85.1 %

16 California State University-San Bernardino 13700 25200 0.4578 14,993 920 0.9318
#16

#16 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

California State University-San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

Sticker Price

$25,200

% Savings

46%

Undergraduates

14,993

Est. Median SAT

920

Acceptance Rate

93.2 %

16 California State University-San Marcos 13700 24700 0.4472 14,933 970 0.951
#16

#16 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

California State University-San Marcos
San Marcos, CA

Sticker Price

$24,700

% Savings

45%

Undergraduates

14,933

Est. Median SAT

970

Acceptance Rate

95.1 %

16 University of California-Santa Barbara 13700 39000 0.6498 22,672 1354 0.3296
#16

#16 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of California-Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

Sticker Price

$39,000

% Savings

65%

Undergraduates

22,672

Est. Median SAT

1,354

Acceptance Rate

33.0 %

19 California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 13900 25200 0.4468 5,376 1138 0.9198
#19

#19 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt
Arcata, CA

Sticker Price

$25,200

% Savings

45%

Undergraduates

5,376

Est. Median SAT

1,138

Acceptance Rate

92.0 %

20 University of California-Berkeley 14400 43600 0.67 32,429 1407 0.1104
#20

#20 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of California-Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

Sticker Price

$43,600

% Savings

67%

Undergraduates

32,429

Est. Median SAT

1,407

Acceptance Rate

11.0 %

21 Pitzer College 14500 88200 0.8358 1,158 1279 0.2516
#21

#21 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Pitzer College
Claremont, CA

Sticker Price

$88,200

% Savings

84%

Undergraduates

1,158

Est. Median SAT

1,279

Acceptance Rate

25.2 %

22 Claremont McKenna College 14800 105100 0.8594 1,390 1507 0.0959
#22

#22 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Claremont McKenna College
Claremont, CA

Sticker Price

$105,100

% Savings

86%

Undergraduates

1,390

Est. Median SAT

1,507

Acceptance Rate

9.6 %

23 California State University-Chico 14900 23700 0.3732 13,337 1117 0.9158
#23

#23 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

California State University-Chico
Chico, CA

Sticker Price

$23,700

% Savings

37%

Undergraduates

13,337

Est. Median SAT

1,117

Acceptance Rate

91.6 %

23 University of California-Santa Cruz 14900 38100 0.6077 16,946 1281 0.6557
#23

#23 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of California-Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA

Sticker Price

$38,100

% Savings

61%

Undergraduates

16,946

Est. Median SAT

1,281

Acceptance Rate

65.6 %

25 California State University-Long Beach 15100 25800 0.4164 36,021 1135 0.4628
#25

#25 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

California State University-Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

Sticker Price

$25,800

% Savings

42%

Undergraduates

36,021

Est. Median SAT

1,135

Acceptance Rate

46.3 %

26 California State University-Monterey Bay 15300 30800 0.5018 6,875 1053 0.9734
#26

#26 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

California State University-Monterey Bay
Seaside, CA

Sticker Price

$30,800

% Savings

50%

Undergraduates

6,875

Est. Median SAT

1,053

Acceptance Rate

97.3 %

27 California State University-East Bay 15800 29800 0.4681 10,562 940 0.9681
#27

#27 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

California State University-East Bay
Hayward, CA

Sticker Price

$29,800

% Savings

47%

Undergraduates

10,562

Est. Median SAT

940

Acceptance Rate

96.8 %

27 University of California-Riverside 15800 36500 0.5676 21,954 1199 0.7685
#27

#27 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of California-Riverside
Riverside, CA

Sticker Price

$36,500

% Savings

57%

Undergraduates

21,954

Est. Median SAT

1,199

Acceptance Rate

76.9 %

29 California State University Maritime Academy 15900 37200 0.5739 761 1069 0.9873
#29

#29 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

California State University Maritime Academy
Vallejo, CA

Sticker Price

$37,200

% Savings

57%

Undergraduates

761

Est. Median SAT

1,069

Acceptance Rate

98.7 %

30 Scripps College 16000 89900 0.8224 1,117 1475 0.3829
#30

#30 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Scripps College
Claremont, CA

Sticker Price

$89,900

% Savings

82%

Undergraduates

1,117

Est. Median SAT

1,475

Acceptance Rate

38.3 %

30 Sonoma State University 16000 26900 0.4039 5,412 1095 0.9473
#30

#30 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA

Sticker Price

$26,900

% Savings

40%

Undergraduates

5,412

Est. Median SAT

1,095

Acceptance Rate

94.7 %

32 California State University-Sacramento 16100 27400 0.4111 28,139 1015 0.9343
#32

#32 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

California State University-Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

Sticker Price

$27,400

% Savings

41%

Undergraduates

28,139

Est. Median SAT

1,015

Acceptance Rate

93.4 %

33 California State University-Fullerton 16300 20600 0.2062 39,697 0 0.9052
#33

#33 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

California State University-Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

Sticker Price

$20,600

% Savings

21%

Undergraduates

39,697

Est. Median SAT

--

Acceptance Rate

90.5 %

33 San Francisco State University 16300 33400 0.5127 20,756 1035 0.9615
#33

#33 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

Sticker Price

$33,400

% Savings

51%

Undergraduates

20,756

Est. Median SAT

1,035

Acceptance Rate

96.2 %

33 University of California-Irvine 16300 35300 0.5371 29,799 1333 0.2878
#33

#33 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of California-Irvine
Irvine, CA

Sticker Price

$35,300

% Savings

54%

Undergraduates

29,799

Est. Median SAT

1,333

Acceptance Rate

28.8 %

36 Pacific Union College 16900 53000 0.6807 910 1090 0.4248
#36

#36 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Pacific Union College
Angwin, CA

Sticker Price

$53,000

% Savings

68%

Undergraduates

910

Est. Median SAT

1,090

Acceptance Rate

42.5 %

37 California State University-Los Angeles 17700 39400 0.5499 19,290 965 0.9125
#37

#37 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

California State University-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

Sticker Price

$39,400

% Savings

55%

Undergraduates

19,290

Est. Median SAT

965

Acceptance Rate

91.3 %

38 San Jose State University 18400 30000 0.3876 27,902 0 0.8461
#38

#38 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

Sticker Price

$30,000

% Savings

39%

Undergraduates

27,902

Est. Median SAT

--

Acceptance Rate

84.6 %

39 University of Southern California 18800 71400 0.7361 21,023 1485 0.1002
#39

#39 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

Sticker Price

$71,400

% Savings

74%

Undergraduates

21,023

Est. Median SAT

1,485

Acceptance Rate

10.0 %

40 Vanguard University of Southern California 19900 54300 0.6344 1,964 1069 0.6479
#40

#40 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Vanguard University of Southern California
Costa Mesa, CA

Sticker Price

$54,300

% Savings

63%

Undergraduates

1,964

Est. Median SAT

1,069

Acceptance Rate

64.8 %

41 Thomas Aquinas College 20100 40000 0.4965 372 1337 0.7976
#41

#41 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Thomas Aquinas College
Santa Paula, CA

Sticker Price

$40,000

% Savings

50%

Undergraduates

372

Est. Median SAT

1,337

Acceptance Rate

79.8 %

42 Soka University of America 20500 59900 0.6583 476 1324 0.6952
#42

#42 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Soka University of America
Aliso Viejo, CA

Sticker Price

$59,900

% Savings

66%

Undergraduates

476

Est. Median SAT

1,324

Acceptance Rate

69.5 %

43 Azusa Pacific University 22300 63100 0.647 2,978 1138 0.7959
#43

#43 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, CA

Sticker Price

$63,100

% Savings

65%

Undergraduates

2,978

Est. Median SAT

1,138

Acceptance Rate

79.6 %

44 Life Pacific University 22600 45900 0.5084 396 1055 0.9395
#44

#44 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Life Pacific University
San Dimas, CA

Sticker Price

$45,900

% Savings

51%

Undergraduates

396

Est. Median SAT

1,055

Acceptance Rate

94.0 %

45 San Diego State University 23600 28100 0.1616 34,805 1208 0.3598
#45

#45 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

Sticker Price

$28,100

% Savings

16%

Undergraduates

34,805

Est. Median SAT

1,208

Acceptance Rate

36.0 %

46 Providence Christian College 24000 61200 0.6083 147 1110 0.9252
#46

#46 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Providence Christian College
Pasadena, CA

Sticker Price

$61,200

% Savings

61%

Undergraduates

147

Est. Median SAT

1,110

Acceptance Rate

92.5 %

47 Occidental College 24200 87400 0.7225 1,881 1447 0.4417
#47

#47 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Occidental College
Los Angeles, CA

Sticker Price

$87,400

% Savings

72%

Undergraduates

1,881

Est. Median SAT

1,447

Acceptance Rate

44.2 %

48 La Sierra University 25100 53800 0.534 1,244 1015 0.933
#48

#48 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

La Sierra University
Riverside, CA

Sticker Price

$53,800

% Savings

53%

Undergraduates

1,244

Est. Median SAT

1,015

Acceptance Rate

93.3 %

49 Westmont College 26000 96600 0.7313 1,311 1324 0.7704
#49

#49 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Westmont College
Santa Barbara, CA

Sticker Price

$96,600

% Savings

73%

Undergraduates

1,311

Est. Median SAT

1,324

Acceptance Rate

77.0 %

50 University of the Pacific 26400 69800 0.6212 3,210 1298 0.7132
#50

#50 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of the Pacific
Stockton, CA

Sticker Price

$69,800

% Savings

62%

Undergraduates

3,210

Est. Median SAT

1,298

Acceptance Rate

71.3 %

51 William Jessup University 26800 51600 0.4797 1,056 1178 0.7682
#51

#51 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

William Jessup University
Rocklin, CA

Sticker Price

$51,600

% Savings

48%

Undergraduates

1,056

Est. Median SAT

1,178

Acceptance Rate

76.8 %

52 California Baptist University 26900 64600 0.5839 8,417 1069 0.8535
#52

#52 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

California Baptist University
Riverside, CA

Sticker Price

$64,600

% Savings

58%

Undergraduates

8,417

Est. Median SAT

1,069

Acceptance Rate

85.4 %

53 Concordia University-Irvine 27300 64500 0.5773 1,465 1172 0.5986
#53

#53 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Concordia University-Irvine
Irvine, CA

Sticker Price

$64,500

% Savings

58%

Undergraduates

1,465

Est. Median SAT

1,172

Acceptance Rate

59.9 %

54 Dominican University of California 28900 69200 0.5823 1,120 1225 0.8392
#54

#54 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Dominican University of California
San Rafael, CA

Sticker Price

$69,200

% Savings

58%

Undergraduates

1,120

Est. Median SAT

1,225

Acceptance Rate

83.9 %

55 Fresno Pacific University 30000 52200 0.4249 1,616 1075 0.5752
#55

#55 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, CA

Sticker Price

$52,200

% Savings

42%

Undergraduates

1,616

Est. Median SAT

1,075

Acceptance Rate

57.5 %

56 Biola University 30600 52500 0.4164 3,481 1268 0.7482
#56

#56 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Biola University
La Mirada, CA

Sticker Price

$52,500

% Savings

42%

Undergraduates

3,481

Est. Median SAT

1,268

Acceptance Rate

74.8 %

56 Saint Mary's College of California 30600 73600 0.5837 1,949 1175 0.8856
#56

#56 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Saint Mary's College of California
Moraga, CA

Sticker Price

$73,600

% Savings

58%

Undergraduates

1,949

Est. Median SAT

1,175

Acceptance Rate

88.6 %

58 University of Redlands 31000 80100 0.6136 2,045 1226 0.8271
#58

#58 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of Redlands
Redlands, CA

Sticker Price

$80,100

% Savings

61%

Undergraduates

2,045

Est. Median SAT

1,226

Acceptance Rate

82.7 %

59 Woodbury University 31200 66600 0.5322 825 1087 0.7287
#59

#59 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Woodbury University
Burbank, CA

Sticker Price

$66,600

% Savings

53%

Undergraduates

825

Est. Median SAT

1,087

Acceptance Rate

72.9 %

60 California Lutheran University 32200 64900 0.5031 2,297 1258 0.7567
#60

#60 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

California Lutheran University
Thousand Oaks, CA

Sticker Price

$64,900

% Savings

50%

Undergraduates

2,297

Est. Median SAT

1,258

Acceptance Rate

75.7 %

61 Loyola Marymount University 33100 89500 0.6297 7,273 1353 0.4508
#61

#61 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA

Sticker Price

$89,500

% Savings

63%

Undergraduates

7,273

Est. Median SAT

1,353

Acceptance Rate

45.1 %

62 Hope International University 33700 51100 0.3413 554 1070 0.3298
#62

#62 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Hope International University
Fullerton, CA

Sticker Price

$51,100

% Savings

34%

Undergraduates

554

Est. Median SAT

1,070

Acceptance Rate

33.0 %

63 Point Loma Nazarene University 35900 63900 0.4373 3,246 1296 0.8367
#63

#63 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Point Loma Nazarene University
San Diego, CA

Sticker Price

$63,900

% Savings

44%

Undergraduates

3,246

Est. Median SAT

1,296

Acceptance Rate

83.7 %

64 California Institute of the Arts 36900 77300 0.5231 918 0 0.2595
#64

#64 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, CA

Sticker Price

$77,300

% Savings

52%

Undergraduates

918

Est. Median SAT

--

Acceptance Rate

26.0 %

65 The Master's University and Seminary 37200 53700 0.3075 1,914 1110 0.7589
#65

#65 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

The Master's University and Seminary
Santa Clarita, CA

Sticker Price

$53,700

% Savings

31%

Undergraduates

1,914

Est. Median SAT

1,110

Acceptance Rate

75.9 %

66 University of San Francisco 40700 83400 0.5114 5,321 1292 0.6171
#66

#66 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

Sticker Price

$83,400

% Savings

51%

Undergraduates

5,321

Est. Median SAT

1,292

Acceptance Rate

61.7 %

67 Mount Saint Mary's University 41100 76300 0.4622 1,733 1015 0.7313
#67

#67 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA

Sticker Price

$76,300

% Savings

46%

Undergraduates

1,733

Est. Median SAT

1,015

Acceptance Rate

73.1 %

68 Pepperdine University 44200 89600 0.5069 3,553 1378 0.6286
#68

#68 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA

Sticker Price

$89,600

% Savings

51%

Undergraduates

3,553

Est. Median SAT

1,378

Acceptance Rate

62.9 %

68 University of San Diego 44200 83300 0.4697 5,851 1298 0.5238
#68

#68 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of San Diego
San Diego, CA

Sticker Price

$83,300

% Savings

47%

Undergraduates

5,851

Est. Median SAT

1,298

Acceptance Rate

52.4 %

70 Simpson University 50500 54500 0.0742 755 1075 0.9903
#70

#70 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Simpson University
Redding, CA

Sticker Price

$54,500

% Savings

7%

Undergraduates

755

Est. Median SAT

1,075

Acceptance Rate

99.0 %

71 Menlo College 50900 80700 0.3695 831 1045 0.6781
#71

#71 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Menlo College
Atherton, CA

Sticker Price

$80,700

% Savings

37%

Undergraduates

831

Est. Median SAT

1,045

Acceptance Rate

67.8 %

72 Whittier College 51000 67100 0.2405 733 1160 0.835
#72

#72 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Whittier College
Whittier, CA

Sticker Price

$67,100

% Savings

24%

Undergraduates

733

Est. Median SAT

1,160

Acceptance Rate

83.5 %

73 Otis College of Art and Design 51500 78800 0.3469 1,224 1055 0.8176
#73

#73 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Otis College of Art and Design
Los Angeles, CA

Sticker Price

$78,800

% Savings

35%

Undergraduates

1,224

Est. Median SAT

1,055

Acceptance Rate

81.8 %

74 Santa Clara University 52700 82900 0.3646 6,577 1427 0.48
#74

#74 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA

Sticker Price

$82,900

% Savings

36%

Undergraduates

6,577

Est. Median SAT

1,427

Acceptance Rate

48.0 %

75 Chapman University 57200 86200 0.336 7,707 1357 0.6543
#75

#75 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Chapman University
Orange, CA

Sticker Price

$86,200

% Savings

34%

Undergraduates

7,707

Est. Median SAT

1,357

Acceptance Rate

65.4 %

76 University of La Verne 62100 66500 0.0654 2,414 1123 0.4847
#76

#76 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of La Verne
La Verne, CA

Sticker Price

$66,500

% Savings

7%

Undergraduates

2,414

Est. Median SAT

1,123

Acceptance Rate

48.5 %

School data is from 2022–2023 (top 500 results shown) for schools with at least 100 undergraduate students.

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