A College Degree is Affordable
A common misperception is that a college education is expensive. The opposite is true at the California State University (CSU).
- CSU fees are among the lowest of all universities across the nation.
- Through financial aid, most families making less than $75,000 a year pay no fees. Families with higher incomes also may be eligible for financial aid.
- Most CSU students getting a four-year degree leave CSU without any loan debt. For those who do, the average loan debt for a CSU graduate is lower than state and national averages.
Student Fees
Students who are California residents on average pay for only one-third of the total cost of their education in the form of fees. The state pays for most of the remaining two-thirds.
2009-10 State University Fee Increase
- 2009-10 State University Fees for full-time students increased by $306 for undergraduate students, $354 for teacher credential students and $378 for graduate students. Please see the chart above for yearly totals.
- In addition to the State University Fee, students pay campus fees, which average $801.
- Revenues from the fee increase provide $127 million to the CSU, with one-third or $42 million set aside for financial aid to offset fee increases for students in need.
Financial Aid
- Almost all students qualify for some form of student aid to pay for education expenses.
- CSU students receive more than $2 billion in grants, scholarships, waivers and other aid.
- Of the 450,000 students who attend CSU, more than half receive financial aid, and many pay no fees at all.
- 80 percent of all undergraduate students receiving need-based financial aid receive a State University Grant, a Cal Grant, or a fee waiver that will fully pay the fee increase.
- For the more than 120,000 CSU students receiving Pell Grants, the maximum award is increasing by $619 to $5,350 as part of the federal stimulus package.
| Units (per term) |
Undergrad | Credential Program |
Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.1 or more | $3,354 | $3,894 | $4,134 |
| 0 to 6.0 | $1,944 | $2,256 | $2,400 |
- Fees for California families making $75,000
or less a year – $0 after financial aid