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 33,471 1399 0.0897
#1

#1 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

Sticker Price

$36,700

% Savings

100%

Undergraduates

33,471

Est. Median SAT

1,399

Acceptance Rate

9.0 %

2 California Institute of Technology 7300 90300 0.919 987 1557 0.0257
#2

#2 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, CA

Sticker Price

$90,300

% Savings

92%

Undergraduates

987

Est. Median SAT

1,557

Acceptance Rate

2.6 %

3 Stanford University 8900 71500 0.875 7,904 1535 0.0361
#3

#3 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Sticker Price

$71,500

% Savings

88%

Undergraduates

7,904

Est. Median SAT

1,535

Acceptance Rate

3.6 %

4 University of California-Davis 10200 38000 0.7304 32,273 1290 0.4183
#4

#4 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of California-Davis
Davis, CA

Sticker Price

$38,000

% Savings

73%

Undergraduates

32,273

Est. Median SAT

1,290

Acceptance Rate

41.8 %

5 Pomona College 10400 88500 0.8824 1,766 1520 0.0709
#5

#5 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Pomona College
Claremont, CA

Sticker Price

$88,500

% Savings

88%

Undergraduates

1,766

Est. Median SAT

1,520

Acceptance Rate

7.1 %

6 California State University-Stanislaus 10900 29100 0.6256 8,455 950 0.9814
#6

#6 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

California State University-Stanislaus
Turlock, CA

Sticker Price

$29,100

% Savings

63%

Undergraduates

8,455

Est. Median SAT

950

Acceptance Rate

98.1 %

7 California State University-Fresno 11300 19700 0.4249 21,430 995 0.9638
#7

#7 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

California State University-Fresno
Fresno, CA

Sticker Price

$19,700

% Savings

42%

Undergraduates

21,430

Est. Median SAT

995

Acceptance Rate

96.4 %

8 University of California-San Diego 11500 34100 0.6617 34,955 1375 0.2677
#8

#8 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of California-San Diego
La Jolla, CA

Sticker Price

$34,100

% Savings

66%

Undergraduates

34,955

Est. Median SAT

1,375

Acceptance Rate

26.8 %

9 California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo 12100 26300 0.5391 21,947 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

54%

Undergraduates

21,947

Est. Median SAT

1,335

Acceptance Rate

31.2 %

10 California State University-Northridge 12300 23200 0.4698 32,499 1005 0.9219
#10

#10 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

California State University-Northridge
Northridge, CA

Sticker Price

$23,200

% Savings

47%

Undergraduates

32,499

Est. Median SAT

1,005

Acceptance Rate

92.2 %

11 California State Polytechnic University-Pomona 12600 12600 0.0009 25,255 1134 0.737
#11

#11 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
Pomona, CA

Sticker Price

$12,600

% Savings

0%

Undergraduates

25,255

Est. Median SAT

1,134

Acceptance Rate

73.7 %

12 University of California-Santa Barbara 13000 39000 0.6675 23,181 1354 0.3296
#12

#12 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of California-Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

Sticker Price

$39,000

% Savings

67%

Undergraduates

23,181

Est. Median SAT

1,354

Acceptance Rate

33.0 %

13 California State University-Channel Islands 13300 48400 0.7246 5,290 975 0.9306
#13

#13 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

California State University-Channel Islands
Camarillo, CA

Sticker Price

$48,400

% Savings

72%

Undergraduates

5,290

Est. Median SAT

975

Acceptance Rate

93.1 %

14 University of California-Merced 13600 40400 0.6628 8,372 1070 0.9152
#14

#14 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of California-Merced
Merced, CA

Sticker Price

$40,400

% Savings

66%

Undergraduates

8,372

Est. Median SAT

1,070

Acceptance Rate

91.5 %

15 California State University-Bakersfield 13800 28300 0.5104 8,865 1050 0.8508
#15

#15 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

California State University-Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA

Sticker Price

$28,300

% Savings

51%

Undergraduates

8,865

Est. Median SAT

1,050

Acceptance Rate

85.1 %

16 California State University-San Bernardino 14200 25200 0.437 14,993 920 0.9318
#16

#16 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

California State University-San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

Sticker Price

$25,200

% Savings

44%

Undergraduates

14,993

Est. Median SAT

920

Acceptance Rate

93.2 %

17 California State University-San Marcos 14400 24700 0.4188 14,977 970 0.951
#17

#17 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

California State University-San Marcos
San Marcos, CA

Sticker Price

$24,700

% Savings

42%

Undergraduates

14,977

Est. Median SAT

970

Acceptance Rate

95.1 %

18 California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 14600 25200 0.4183 5,474 1138 0.9198
#18

#18 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt
Arcata, CA

Sticker Price

$25,200

% Savings

42%

Undergraduates

5,474

Est. Median SAT

1,138

Acceptance Rate

92.0 %

19 Pitzer College 14700 89800 0.8358 1,242 1279 0.2516
#19

#19 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Pitzer College
Claremont, CA

Sticker Price

$89,800

% Savings

84%

Undergraduates

1,242

Est. Median SAT

1,279

Acceptance Rate

25.2 %

20 California State University-Chico 15400 23700 0.3492 13,392 1117 0.9158
#20

#20 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

California State University-Chico
Chico, CA

Sticker Price

$23,700

% Savings

35%

Undergraduates

13,392

Est. Median SAT

1,117

Acceptance Rate

91.6 %

21 California State University-Long Beach 15600 25800 0.3956 35,843 1135 0.4628
#21

#21 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

California State University-Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

Sticker Price

$25,800

% Savings

40%

Undergraduates

35,843

Est. Median SAT

1,135

Acceptance Rate

46.3 %

21 University of California-Berkeley 15600 43600 0.6424 33,469 1407 0.1104
#21

#21 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of California-Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

Sticker Price

$43,600

% Savings

64%

Undergraduates

33,469

Est. Median SAT

1,407

Acceptance Rate

11.0 %

21 University of California-Santa Cruz 15600 38100 0.5912 17,940 1281 0.6557
#21

#21 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of California-Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA

Sticker Price

$38,100

% Savings

59%

Undergraduates

17,940

Est. Median SAT

1,281

Acceptance Rate

65.6 %

24 California State University-Monterey Bay 15900 30800 0.4842 6,910 1053 0.9734
#24

#24 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

California State University-Monterey Bay
Seaside, CA

Sticker Price

$30,800

% Savings

48%

Undergraduates

6,910

Est. Median SAT

1,053

Acceptance Rate

97.3 %

25 Sonoma State University 16400 26900 0.3893 5,412 1095 0.9473
#25

#25 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA

Sticker Price

$26,900

% Savings

39%

Undergraduates

5,412

Est. Median SAT

1,095

Acceptance Rate

94.7 %

25 University of California-Riverside 16400 36500 0.5505 22,599 1199 0.7685
#25

#25 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of California-Riverside
Riverside, CA

Sticker Price

$36,500

% Savings

55%

Undergraduates

22,599

Est. Median SAT

1,199

Acceptance Rate

76.9 %

27 California State University Maritime Academy 16500 53100 0.6896 761 1069 0.9873
#27

#27 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

California State University Maritime Academy
Vallejo, CA

Sticker Price

$53,100

% Savings

69%

Undergraduates

761

Est. Median SAT

1,069

Acceptance Rate

98.7 %

28 California State University-East Bay 16600 29800 0.4441 10,562 940 0.9681
#28

#28 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

California State University-East Bay
Hayward, CA

Sticker Price

$29,800

% Savings

44%

Undergraduates

10,562

Est. Median SAT

940

Acceptance Rate

96.8 %

29 California State University-Sacramento 16700 27400 0.389 28,226 1015 0.9343
#29

#29 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

California State University-Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

Sticker Price

$27,400

% Savings

39%

Undergraduates

28,226

Est. Median SAT

1,015

Acceptance Rate

93.4 %

30 California State University-Fullerton 16800 20600 0.1838 38,597 0 0.9052
#30

#30 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

California State University-Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

Sticker Price

$20,600

% Savings

18%

Undergraduates

38,597

Est. Median SAT

--

Acceptance Rate

90.5 %

31 San Francisco State University 17000 33400 0.4916 20,756 1035 0.9615
#31

#31 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

Sticker Price

$33,400

% Savings

49%

Undergraduates

20,756

Est. Median SAT

1,035

Acceptance Rate

96.2 %

32 Pacific Union College 17300 53000 0.6733 910 1090 0.4248
#32

#32 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Pacific Union College
Angwin, CA

Sticker Price

$53,000

% Savings

67%

Undergraduates

910

Est. Median SAT

1,090

Acceptance Rate

42.5 %

33 Scripps College 17700 93800 0.8114 1,117 1475 0.3829
#33

#33 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Scripps College
Claremont, CA

Sticker Price

$93,800

% Savings

81%

Undergraduates

1,117

Est. Median SAT

1,475

Acceptance Rate

38.3 %

34 California State University-Los Angeles 18300 39400 0.5361 19,354 965 0.9125
#34

#34 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

California State University-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

Sticker Price

$39,400

% Savings

54%

Undergraduates

19,354

Est. Median SAT

965

Acceptance Rate

91.3 %

35 San Jose State University 18900 30000 0.3702 28,008 0 0.8461
#35

#35 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

Sticker Price

$30,000

% Savings

37%

Undergraduates

28,008

Est. Median SAT

--

Acceptance Rate

84.6 %

36 Harvey Mudd College 19100 93100 0.7952 921 1528 0.1266
#36

#36 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Harvey Mudd College
Claremont, CA

Sticker Price

$93,100

% Savings

80%

Undergraduates

921

Est. Median SAT

1,528

Acceptance Rate

12.7 %

37 University of Southern California 19500 71400 0.7271 21,023 1485 0.1002
#37

#37 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

Sticker Price

$71,400

% Savings

73%

Undergraduates

21,023

Est. Median SAT

1,485

Acceptance Rate

10.0 %

38 Claremont McKenna College 20200 90400 0.7766 1,390 1507 0.0959
#38

#38 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Claremont McKenna College
Claremont, CA

Sticker Price

$90,400

% Savings

78%

Undergraduates

1,390

Est. Median SAT

1,507

Acceptance Rate

9.6 %

39 Vanguard University of Southern California 20300 54300 0.6264 1,964 1069 0.6479
#39

#39 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 %

40 Thomas Aquinas College 20400 40000 0.4909 372 1337 0.7976
#40

#40 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Thomas Aquinas College
Santa Paula, CA

Sticker Price

$40,000

% Savings

49%

Undergraduates

372

Est. Median SAT

1,337

Acceptance Rate

79.8 %

41 Soka University of America 20500 59900 0.6578 476 1324 0.6952
#41

#41 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 %

42 University of California-Irvine 21000 35300 0.4058 30,204 1333 0.2878
#42

#42 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of California-Irvine
Irvine, CA

Sticker Price

$35,300

% Savings

41%

Undergraduates

30,204

Est. Median SAT

1,333

Acceptance Rate

28.8 %

43 Azusa Pacific University 22600 63100 0.6416 2,996 1138 0.7959
#43

#43 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, CA

Sticker Price

$63,100

% Savings

64%

Undergraduates

2,996

Est. Median SAT

1,138

Acceptance Rate

79.6 %

44 Life Pacific University 22900 45900 0.5011 396 1055 0.9395
#44

#44 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Life Pacific University
San Dimas, CA

Sticker Price

$45,900

% Savings

50%

Undergraduates

396

Est. Median SAT

1,055

Acceptance Rate

94.0 %

45 Providence Christian College 24100 61200 0.606 147 1110 0.9252
#45

#45 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 %

46 San Diego State University 24300 28100 0.1367 34,637 1208 0.3598
#46

#46 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

Sticker Price

$28,100

% Savings

14%

Undergraduates

34,637

Est. Median SAT

1,208

Acceptance Rate

36.0 %

47 Occidental College 25500 87400 0.7083 1,881 1447 0.4417
#47

#47 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Occidental College
Los Angeles, CA

Sticker Price

$87,400

% Savings

71%

Undergraduates

1,881

Est. Median SAT

1,447

Acceptance Rate

44.2 %

48 La Sierra University 25800 53800 0.5205 1,244 1015 0.933
#48

#48 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

La Sierra University
Riverside, CA

Sticker Price

$53,800

% Savings

52%

Undergraduates

1,244

Est. Median SAT

1,015

Acceptance Rate

93.3 %

49 Westmont College 26100 96600 0.7301 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 William Jessup University 26800 51600 0.4798 1,056 1178 0.7682
#50

#50 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 %

51 University of the Pacific 27000 69800 0.6124 3,249 1298 0.7132
#51

#51 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of the Pacific
Stockton, CA

Sticker Price

$69,800

% Savings

61%

Undergraduates

3,249

Est. Median SAT

1,298

Acceptance Rate

71.3 %

52 Concordia University-Irvine 27600 64500 0.5722 1,465 1172 0.5986
#52

#52 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Concordia University-Irvine
Irvine, CA

Sticker Price

$64,500

% Savings

57%

Undergraduates

1,465

Est. Median SAT

1,172

Acceptance Rate

59.9 %

53 Dominican University of California 29600 69200 0.5725 1,127 1225 0.8392
#53

#53 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Dominican University of California
San Rafael, CA

Sticker Price

$69,200

% Savings

57%

Undergraduates

1,127

Est. Median SAT

1,225

Acceptance Rate

83.9 %

54 Saint Mary's College of California 30600 73600 0.5835 1,955 1175 0.8856
#54

#54 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Saint Mary's College of California
Moraga, CA

Sticker Price

$73,600

% Savings

58%

Undergraduates

1,955

Est. Median SAT

1,175

Acceptance Rate

88.6 %

55 University of Redlands 30800 80100 0.6158 2,045 1226 0.8271
#55

#55 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of Redlands
Redlands, CA

Sticker Price

$80,100

% Savings

62%

Undergraduates

2,045

Est. Median SAT

1,226

Acceptance Rate

82.7 %

56 California Baptist University 30900 64600 0.5216 8,417 1069 0.8535
#56

#56 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

California Baptist University
Riverside, CA

Sticker Price

$64,600

% Savings

52%

Undergraduates

8,417

Est. Median SAT

1,069

Acceptance Rate

85.4 %

57 Biola University 31000 52500 0.4099 3,481 1268 0.7482
#57

#57 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Biola University
La Mirada, CA

Sticker Price

$52,500

% Savings

41%

Undergraduates

3,481

Est. Median SAT

1,268

Acceptance Rate

74.8 %

57 Fresno Pacific University 31000 52200 0.4068 1,616 1075 0.5752
#57

#57 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, CA

Sticker Price

$52,200

% Savings

41%

Undergraduates

1,616

Est. Median SAT

1,075

Acceptance Rate

57.5 %

59 Woodbury University 31200 66600 0.5316 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 32900 64900 0.4934 2,297 1258 0.7567
#60

#60 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

California Lutheran University
Thousand Oaks, CA

Sticker Price

$64,900

% Savings

49%

Undergraduates

2,297

Est. Median SAT

1,258

Acceptance Rate

75.7 %

61 Loyola Marymount University 33700 89500 0.6236 7,273 1353 0.4508
#61

#61 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA

Sticker Price

$89,500

% Savings

62%

Undergraduates

7,273

Est. Median SAT

1,353

Acceptance Rate

45.1 %

62 Hope International University 33900 51100 0.3367 564 1070 0.3298
#62

#62 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Hope International University
Fullerton, CA

Sticker Price

$51,100

% Savings

34%

Undergraduates

564

Est. Median SAT

1,070

Acceptance Rate

33.0 %

63 Point Loma Nazarene University 36300 63900 0.4319 3,246 1296 0.8367
#63

#63 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Point Loma Nazarene University
San Diego, CA

Sticker Price

$63,900

% Savings

43%

Undergraduates

3,246

Est. Median SAT

1,296

Acceptance Rate

83.7 %

64 California Institute of the Arts 37000 77300 0.5214 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 Mount Saint Mary's University 37100 79300 0.5317 1,733 1015 0.7313
#65

#65 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA

Sticker Price

$79,300

% Savings

53%

Undergraduates

1,733

Est. Median SAT

1,015

Acceptance Rate

73.1 %

66 The Master's University and Seminary 38300 53700 0.2862 1,914 1110 0.7589
#66

#66 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

The Master's University and Seminary
Santa Clarita, CA

Sticker Price

$53,700

% Savings

29%

Undergraduates

1,914

Est. Median SAT

1,110

Acceptance Rate

75.9 %

67 University of San Francisco 40100 83400 0.5186 5,321 1292 0.6171
#67

#67 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

Sticker Price

$83,400

% Savings

52%

Undergraduates

5,321

Est. Median SAT

1,292

Acceptance Rate

61.7 %

68 University of San Diego 43700 83300 0.4757 5,851 1298 0.5238
#68

#68 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of San Diego
San Diego, CA

Sticker Price

$83,300

% Savings

48%

Undergraduates

5,851

Est. Median SAT

1,298

Acceptance Rate

52.4 %

69 Otis College of Art and Design 44700 78800 0.4326 1,224 1055 0.8176
#69

#69 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Otis College of Art and Design
Los Angeles, CA

Sticker Price

$78,800

% Savings

43%

Undergraduates

1,224

Est. Median SAT

1,055

Acceptance Rate

81.8 %

70 Simpson University 46400 54500 0.1485 755 1075 0.9903
#70

#70 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Simpson University
Redding, CA

Sticker Price

$54,500

% Savings

15%

Undergraduates

755

Est. Median SAT

1,075

Acceptance Rate

99.0 %

71 Pepperdine University 47200 89600 0.4731 3,553 1378 0.6286
#71

#71 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA

Sticker Price

$89,600

% Savings

47%

Undergraduates

3,553

Est. Median SAT

1,378

Acceptance Rate

62.9 %

72 Santa Clara University 49300 82900 0.4053 6,577 1427 0.48
#72

#72 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA

Sticker Price

$82,900

% Savings

41%

Undergraduates

6,577

Est. Median SAT

1,427

Acceptance Rate

48.0 %

73 Chapman University 51500 86200 0.4018 7,713 1357 0.6543
#73

#73 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Chapman University
Orange, CA

Sticker Price

$86,200

% Savings

40%

Undergraduates

7,713

Est. Median SAT

1,357

Acceptance Rate

65.4 %

74 Whittier College 53500 67100 0.2027 767 1160 0.835
#74

#74 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Whittier College
Whittier, CA

Sticker Price

$67,100

% Savings

20%

Undergraduates

767

Est. Median SAT

1,160

Acceptance Rate

83.5 %

75 Menlo College 58900 86800 0.3214 831 1045 0.6781
#75

#75 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

Menlo College
Atherton, CA

Sticker Price

$86,800

% Savings

32%

Undergraduates

831

Est. Median SAT

1,045

Acceptance Rate

67.8 %

76 University of La Verne 62200 66500 0.0649 2,414 1123 0.4847
#76

#76 Middle Class Affordability Rankings

University of La Verne
La Verne, CA

Sticker Price

$66,500

% Savings

6%

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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