Thanks to low tuition and a robust financial aid program, the California State University provides an opportunity for hundreds of thousands of Californians to pursue a high-quality education each year.
Here are some facts that show that a CSU degree can be within your reach.
1. CSU tuition is among the lowest in the nation.
At $6,450 per academic year for full-time undergraduate California residents,
CSU tuition is among the lowest in the country. For comparison, University of California tuition for full-time undergraduates who are California residents is $14,934 per year and the national average for college tuition is more than $38,000 per year.
2. More than 80% of CSU students qualify for financial aid.
To help students turn their dream of college into reality, the university offers a variety of
financial aid options including grants, loans, scholarships, fellowships, veterans aid and work study. During the 2023-24 academic year, almost 84% of students who applied for aid received some form of financial assistance.
The deadline to submit a
Free Application for Federal Student Aid or a
CA Dream Act Application has been extended to April 2, 2025, and all prospective and continuing students are encouraged to apply.
3. Three out of five CSU students pay no tuition at all.
About 60% of undergraduate students have their tuition costs completely covered by financial aid. In general, CSU undergraduate students who qualify for financial aid will not pay any tuition fees if their family's total income is less than $70,000.
4. Most CSU students graduate student debt-free.
In fact, 64% of CSU students who earned a bachelor's degree in 2023-24 graduated with zero student loan debt. Those who took on debt borrowed significantly less than the national average—slightly more than $17,000 compared to the national average of more than $22,000.
5. Financial aid is available for undocumented students.
The California Dream Act (CADAA) allows undocumented students to apply for
scholarships and financial aid. Any information provided on a CADAA is only used to determine eligibility for state financial aid.
6. Help is available for students facing food and housing insecurity.
Once students are enrolled at the CSU, every effort is made to help them cross the finish line. Through the university's
Basic Needs Initiative, all 23 CSUs support students' well-being by offering help with food and housing, financial literacy programs and tools to close the digital divide.
7. Financial aid covers more than just tuition.
The average financial aid award for undergraduate students in 2023-24 was $13,229, which enables students to pay for costs like food, housing and other living expenses that contribute to the total cost of attending college.
8. College graduates earn more money.
Bachelor's degree holders earn a median of $2.8 million during their career, 75% more than if they only hold a high school diploma. In addition to having higher earnings and lower rates of unemployment, college graduates are more likely to own a home and less likely to be in poverty or need social services.
9. CSU tuition is predictable.
The university has published
anticipated tuition costs for the next four academic years—through 2028-29—enabling students and parents to plan and budget.
10. The CSU is routinely recognized for affordability, value and upward mobility.
In 2024, all 23 universities ranked among the top 100 “Best Bang for the Buck" universities in the West, according to Washington Monthly magazine. Additionally, the new
California Mobility Index (CMI) released by the College Futures Foundation in February 2025 places CSUs at the top of the list for delivering on the promise of economic mobility.
All 23 universities in the CSU system appear in the index, with the CMI's top nine all from the CSU. And, 13 CSUs were ranked among the top 15 institutions.
Several CSUs are still accepting applications for the fall 2025 term. To learn more about degree programs at each of the CSU's 23 universities and check application dates and deadlines, visit the Cal State Apply portal.