Best Online Colleges in California of 2025

Schools within the CSU system offer relatively affordable tuition. CSU Fresno and CSU Los Angeles offer the lowest in-state tuition and fees for the 2023-2024 school year at $6,980 and $6,813, respectively.

NCES data shows that CSUs charge between $18,500-$19,600 for out-of-state tuition and fees. Tuition at schools outside of the CSU system also varies. Be aware that some online colleges in California may charge affordable per-credit tuition but pair it with exorbitant fees that make your education more expensive.

If you are a California resident, you can reduce the cost of your college education by attending community colleges for free if you qualify. You can then transfer an associate degree or a block of credits to a four-year online college in California, lowering the cost of your tuition.

Alternatively, students living in any state can explore student aid options such as scholarships and grants that offer free money for college.

Attending college in California gives you access to some of the best online schools in the country. California ranks in the world’s top five largest economies, providing college graduates with a wealth of job and entrepreneurial opportunities that many other communities may lack.

But make sure to do your research on the cost of attending online colleges in California and explore career options and salary projections to see what path is right for you.

Students in California paid an average of $8,637 in in-state tuition in 2021-2022, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

Comparatively, out-of-state students paid $32,967 for the same programs. Some colleges waive out-of-state charges for online learners, so online colleges in California might cost less than on-campus programs.

Additionally, you can save money on expenses such as transportation and childcare if you study online.