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Lowest net price for middle-income families in California

Colleges with the lowest average yearly price after grants for families earning $30,000 to $75,000.

Lowest net price for middle-income families in California61 schools

61 schools qualify, ranked by net price for families earning $30,000–$75,000. The top 25 are shown.

How this list is made

  • Schools in California.
  • Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
  • Academic Excellence grade B+ or better (the top 35% of rated colleges).
  • Has a net price for families earning $30,000 to $75,000 from federal data (College Scorecard); it covers students who receive federal aid.
  • Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
  • Ordered by that net price, lowest first.

Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.

  1. 1

    Stanford University

    Stanford, CA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll

    Exceptional: Compass grade A+

    • $1,562 a year for families earning $30,000–$75,000
    • 92% graduate
  2. 2

    Humphreys University-Stockton and Modesto Campuses

    Stockton, CA · Private nonprofit

    Top 5% for low net price

    • $4,724 a year for families earning $30,000–$75,000
    • 62% graduate
  3. 3

    University of California-Berkeley

    Berkeley, CA · PublicHonor Roll

    Exceptional: Compass grade A+

    • $8,095 a year for families earning $30,000–$75,000
    • 93% graduate
  4. 4

    University of California-Los Angeles

    Los Angeles, CA · PublicHonor Roll

    Exceptional: Compass grade A

    • $8,239 a year for families earning $30,000–$75,000
    • 93% graduate
  5. 5

    California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

    San Luis Obispo, CA · PublicHonor Roll

    Top 4% for earnings

    • $8,751 a year for families earning $30,000–$75,000
    • 86% graduate
  6. 6

    California State University-Long Beach

    Long Beach, CA · Public

    Excellent: Compass grade A-

    • $8,755 a year for families earning $30,000–$75,000
    • 69% graduate
  7. 7

    University of California-San Diego

    La Jolla, CA · PublicHonor Roll

    Exceptional: Compass grade A

    • $9,036 a year for families earning $30,000–$75,000
    • 86% graduate
  8. 8

    University of California-Merced

    Merced, CA · Public

    Top 20% for earnings

    • $9,931 a year for families earning $30,000–$75,000
    • 69% graduate
  9. 9

    University of California-Irvine

    Irvine, CA · PublicHonor Roll

    Exceptional: Compass grade A

    • $10,454 a year for families earning $30,000–$75,000
    • 87% graduate
  10. 10

    University of California-Davis

    Davis, CA · PublicHonor Roll

    Top 7% for graduation

    • $10,977 a year for families earning $30,000–$75,000
    • 86% graduate
  11. 11

    Scripps College

    Claremont, CA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll

    Exceptional: Compass grade A

    • $10,984 a year for families earning $30,000–$75,000
    • 83% graduate
  12. 12

    University of California-Santa Barbara

    Santa Barbara, CA · PublicHonor Roll

    Exceptional: Compass grade A

    • $11,191 a year for families earning $30,000–$75,000
    • 83% graduate
  13. 13

    San Diego State University

    San Diego, CA · PublicHonor Roll

    Exceptional: Compass grade A

    • $11,381 a year for families earning $30,000–$75,000
    • 76% graduate
  14. 14

    Soka University of America

    Aliso Viejo, CA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll

    Top 4% for graduation

    • $11,423 a year for families earning $30,000–$75,000
    • 92% graduate
  15. 14

    University of California-Riverside

    Riverside, CA · Public

    Top 13% for graduation

    • $11,423 a year for families earning $30,000–$75,000
    • 76% graduate
  16. 16

    Claremont McKenna College

    Claremont, CA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll

    Exceptional: Compass grade A+

    • $11,708 a year for families earning $30,000–$75,000
    • 91% graduate
  17. 17

    Pomona College

    Claremont, CA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll

    Exceptional: Compass grade A+

    • $12,040 a year for families earning $30,000–$75,000
    • 93% graduate
  18. 18

    University of California-Santa Cruz

    Santa Cruz, CA · Public

    Top 14% for graduation

    • $12,576 a year for families earning $30,000–$75,000
    • 75% graduate
  19. 19

    California State University Maritime Academy

    Vallejo, CA · Public

    Top 3% for earnings

    • $14,337 a year for families earning $30,000–$75,000
    • 60% graduate
  20. 20

    Pitzer College

    Claremont, CA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll

    Exceptional: Compass grade A

    • $14,744 a year for families earning $30,000–$75,000
    • 83% graduate
  21. 21

    Mount Saint Mary's University

    Los Angeles, CA · Private nonprofit

    Top 13% for earnings

    • $16,034 a year for families earning $30,000–$75,000
    • 53% graduate
  22. 22

    University of Southern California

    Los Angeles, CA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll

    Exceptional: Compass grade A+

    • $17,164 a year for families earning $30,000–$75,000
    • 92% graduate
  23. 23

    Westmont College

    Santa Barbara, CA · Private nonprofit

    Excellent: Compass grade A-

    • $18,467 a year for families earning $30,000–$75,000
    • 70% graduate
  24. 24

    University of the Pacific

    Stockton, CA · Private nonprofit

    Top 9% for earnings

    • $18,724 a year for families earning $30,000–$75,000
    • 69% graduate
  25. 25

    University of San Diego

    San Diego, CA · Private nonprofit

    Top 6% for earnings

    • $18,782 a year for families earning $30,000–$75,000
    • 84% graduate

Compare cost and outcomes

SchoolNet price a yearMedian debtEarnings 10 years outGraduation rate
Stanford University$13,807$12,000$124,08092%
Humphreys University-Stockton and Modesto Campuses$5,524$35,500$39,24862%
University of California-Berkeley$13,481$13,000$92,44693%
University of California-Los Angeles$12,548$14,000$82,51193%
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo$16,665$18,500$90,76886%
California State University-Long Beach$10,440$14,289$64,40369%
University of California-San Diego$12,470$15,500$84,94386%
University of California-Merced$11,983$16,144$64,36869%
University of California-Irvine$14,251$15,000$80,73587%
University of California-Davis$14,741$13,000$80,83886%
Scripps College$36,294$13,500$77,53983%
University of California-Santa Barbara$16,109$13,993$74,91583%
San Diego State University$15,364$15,000$64,90976%
Soka University of America$18,260$15,650$55,01792%
University of California-Riverside$14,304$17,500$67,69976%
Claremont McKenna College$28,849$13,500$104,73691%
Pomona College$19,285$11,782$77,77993%
University of California-Santa Cruz$17,890$16,666$68,39675%
California State University Maritime Academy$20,555$24,965$94,78460%
Pitzer College$34,191$16,750$69,51283%
Mount Saint Mary's University$21,413$25,949$72,37953%
University of Southern California$32,740$18,000$92,49892%
Westmont College$29,053$23,250$64,77870%
University of the Pacific$25,447$19,500$78,44569%
University of San Diego$30,365$22,940$86,52284%

Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.

This list in other states

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