Published tuition for California resident undergraduates in the 2025–26 academic year (Fall 2025 – Spring 2026). Out-of-state rates and graduate rates are different — see below.
| Campus | Systemwide Fees | Campus-Based Fees (approx.) | Total Tuition + Fees | Est. Total w/ Housing (on-campus) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UC Berkeley | $14,232 | ~$2,078 | ~$16,310 | ~$38,000–$42,000 |
| UCLA | $14,232 | ~$1,609 | ~$15,841 | ~$36,000–$40,000 |
| UC San Diego | $14,232 | ~$1,481 | ~$15,713 | ~$36,000–$40,000 |
| UC Davis | $14,232 | ~$1,174 | ~$15,406 | ~$34,000–$38,000 |
| UC Santa Barbara | $14,232 | ~$1,591 | ~$15,823 | ~$36,000–$40,000 |
| UC Irvine | $14,232 | ~$1,537 | ~$15,769 | ~$34,000–$38,000 |
| UC Santa Cruz | $14,232 | ~$1,538 | ~$15,770 | ~$34,000–$38,000 |
| UC Riverside | $14,232 | ~$1,101 | ~$15,333 | ~$32,000–$36,000 |
| UC Merced | $14,232 | ~$1,048 | ~$15,280 | ~$30,000–$34,000 |
Campus-based fees are approximate. On-campus housing estimates include standard room and meal plan. Verify exact figures at each campus's Student Financial Services website before relying on them for budgeting.
Unlike many university systems where each campus sets its own base tuition, the University of California uses a centralized tuition model. All nine undergraduate UC campuses charge the same systemwide tuition and Student Services Fee — both set annually by the UC Board of Regents. For 2025–26, this totals $14,232 for California residents.
On top of systemwide fees, each campus charges its own campus-based fees — approved independently by each campus. These cover local programs, facilities, transit, student activities, and other campus-specific services. Campus-based fees range from about $1,048 at UC Merced (the newest, smallest UC campus) to around $2,078 at UC Berkeley. Since these are separate from systemwide fees, the total tuition figure varies slightly across campuses.
Together, systemwide + campus-based fees represent what UC calls the total tuition and fees figure — the cost you see on each campus's financial aid offer and billing statement. For 2025–26, this ranges from roughly $15,280 at UC Merced to $16,310 at UC Berkeley.
UC tuition and fees pay for academic instruction, library access, campus health center services, student government, recreational facilities, and a range of student support services. They do not cover:
The total cost of attendance — tuition plus all of the above — ranges from about $24,000/year (California resident, commuting from home) to $42,000+/year (on-campus, high-cost campus like Berkeley or UCLA). Over four years, this means a full UC education costs between $96,000 and $168,000+ before financial aid.
The UC system charges significantly higher tuition to students who are not California residents. Out-of-state and international undergraduates pay the same $14,232 in systemwide fees, plus Nonresident Supplemental Tuition (NRST) of $31,026 in 2025–26. This brings the total tuition and fees for nonresident students to approximately $45,258–$47,336 per year — more than three times what in-state students pay.
California residency for tuition purposes has specific requirements. Students who moved to California primarily to attend school are generally not considered residents in their first year. After one year in California without the purpose of attending school, students can petition for resident classification. International students on F-1 visas do not qualify for in-state tuition.
One of the most significant — and underadvertised — aspects of UC financial aid is the Blue & Gold Opportunity Plan. Under this program, California resident undergraduates from families with total annual income below $80,000 receive UC grants that cover the full cost of systemwide tuition and fees. In effect, these students pay zero in tuition.
The program applies automatically to students who file a FAFSA or California Dream Act Application by March 2. Eligibility is recalculated each year based on reported family income. Students receiving Pell Grants — typically those from families earning under $60,000/year — often have their entire tuition covered and may also receive additional aid for housing and living expenses.
For families earning between $80,000 and $150,000, UC campuses also provide institutional grant aid, though the amounts vary. The key takeaway: the published tuition figure is a sticker price. Many California students pay significantly less — and some pay nothing. Always file the FAFSA and use each campus's Net Price Calculator to see a personalized estimate.
UC tuition was frozen for eleven years (2011–2022) following intense political pressure after a period of rapid increases. During this period, many students and families expected stable costs. Beginning in 2022–23, the UC Board of Regents approved a Multi-Year Tuition Stability Plan that allows modest, predictable annual tuition increases tied to the Higher Education Price Index (HEPI). This provides students with cost predictability while helping UC maintain academic programs amid rising operating costs.
Out-of-state tuition has continued to increase more steeply and now represents more than three times the in-state rate — a pattern that has drawn criticism from California lawmakers who argue it crowds out California residents at competitive campuses like Berkeley and UCLA.
At $15,280–$16,310 in tuition and fees, the UC is significantly more expensive than both the CSU system ($7,200–$8,300 average) and California community colleges ($1,380–$2,500 for a full-time year). Over four years, choosing a CSU over a UC saves approximately $32,000–$36,000 in tuition alone.
The 2+2 transfer path — two years at a community college followed by two years at a UC — reduces total degree cost to approximately $84,000–$100,000 depending on housing, versus $120,000–$168,000 for four years at UC. Importantly, the degree earned at the end is a UC degree with the same academic credential. See the full California college cost comparison and path calculator for a detailed side-by-side analysis.