Cheapest Online Degrees in California
California's 23-campus California State University System operates the CSU Fully Online platform, with WSCUC regional accreditation across every campus. For California residents who qualify, Cal Grant covers full CSU tuition; the Middle Class Scholarship covers families up to $217,000 income; and the California Dream Act Application provides state aid to residents who are not federal-aid eligible. The University of the People, headquartered in Pasadena, offers a tuition-free model with only per-course assessment fees.
California Public Universities With Online Programs
WSCUC regional accreditation across the California State University System. Per-term tuition from each school's official tuition page. Out-of-state students pay an additional per-credit nonresident tuition supplement.
California State University Fully Online (CSU Online)
Source$2,871/term (lower-division, < 6 units) to $4,083/term (full-time, >= 6 units) at most CSU campuses
+$420/credit nonresident tuition
Cross-campus platform across the 23-campus California State University System. Programs available from CSU Bakersfield, CSU Channel Islands, CSU Chico, CSU Dominguez Hills, CSU East Bay, CSU Fullerton, CSU Long Beach, CSU Los Angeles, CSU Northridge, CSU San Bernardino, San Diego State, San Francisco State, Sonoma State, and more. WSCUC regional accreditation across the system.
Accreditation: WSCUC regional; AACSB / ABET / CCNE by program
California State University Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) Online
Source$3,510/term full-time (~$292/credit-equivalent for 12 credits)
+$420/credit nonresident tuition
One of the strongest online-degree-focused CSUs. Multiple online bachelor completion programs. WSCUC regional, AACSB business, CCNE nursing.
Accreditation: WSCUC regional; AACSB / CCNE by program
California State University East Bay Online
Source$3,510/term full-time
+$420/credit nonresident tuition
30+ online programs. WSCUC regional, AACSB business, CAEP education.
Accreditation: WSCUC regional; AACSB / CAEP by program
University of the People (Pasadena, CA)
Source$120 per course assessment fee
$120 per course assessment fee (same rate)
Tuition-free model; only the per-course assessment fee is charged. Pasadena-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit. HLC regional accreditation. Total bachelor's cost approximately $4,860 in assessment fees across 40 courses. Not FAFSA-eligible. Acceptance based on application; no SAT/ACT required.
Accreditation: HLC regional (recognised under WSCUC reciprocity)
CSU Global Campus (independent California State University Global Campus, no longer part of the CSU System after 2022)
Source$350/credit (note: branded as CSU Global but no longer formally affiliated with the California State University System)
$350/credit (same rate)
Important distinction: CSU Global is a Colorado-based regionally accredited (HLC) online university that uses the CSU Global brand. It is NOT the California State University system. We list it here only to flag the name confusion for California searchers; for actual California-system online programs, use CSU Online above.
Accreditation: HLC regional (Colorado-based, not California)
University of the People: The Tuition-Free Outlier
University of the People is a Pasadena, California-headquartered 501(c)(3) nonprofit university with HLC regional accreditation. It charges no tuition. The only fees are a per-course assessment fee ($120 for undergraduate courses). A complete bachelor's degree costs approximately $4,860 in assessment fees across roughly 40 courses, plus an application fee. There are scholarship programs that can cover even the assessment fees for students with demonstrated need.
Trade-offs: UoPeople is not FAFSA-eligible (Title IV non-participating), so it cannot stack with the Pell Grant. Acceptance is based on application without SAT/ACT requirements. Programs offered: Business Administration, Computer Science, Health Science, and Education (general). Graduate programs and additional undergraduate fields are continuing to expand. Reputation among US employers is growing but is not yet at the level of WGU or established public universities.
For California residents who do not qualify for Cal Grant and have minimal employer or family support, UoPeople is the cheapest accredited online bachelor's degree in California (and one of the cheapest anywhere). The per-course assessment fee model means a full degree under $5,000 total.
California-Specific Financial Aid
Cal Grant is the highest-value state aid program in the US for residents who qualify. The Middle Class Scholarship extends aid to families well above traditional need thresholds. The California Dream Act Application provides a state path for residents who are not federal-aid eligible. All administered by the California Student Aid Commission (csac.ca.gov).
Cal Grant (A, B, and C)
California's flagship state grant program. Cal Grant A covers tuition and fees at UC and CSU schools (and equivalent at independent schools). Cal Grant B provides an access award for low-income students. Cal Grant C covers occupational and technical training. Maximum awards reach $12,570/year at private nonprofit schools and full tuition at CSU and UC. Eligibility based on FAFSA and California GPA Verification.
SourceMiddle Class Scholarship
For California residents with family income up to $217,000 and assets up to $217,000 (2024-25 thresholds, indexed). Covers tuition and fees at UC and CSU after other state grants. Phased percentage based on income tier. Online students at CSU and UC are eligible.
SourceCalifornia Dream Act Application
State-level alternative to FAFSA for California residents who are not eligible for federal financial aid (typically undocumented students who qualify for in-state tuition under AB 540). Submitted to the California Student Aid Commission. Used to qualify for Cal Grant, Middle Class Scholarship, and institutional aid at California schools.
SourceFederal Pell Grant
Up to $7,395/year (2024-25). Stacks with Cal Grant at CSU and UC. Not available at UoPeople (the school is Title IV non-participating). File FAFSA at studentaid.gov.
SourceCompare with national alternatives
CSU schools are strong for California residents who qualify for Cal Grant. UoPeople is the cheapest accredited path for residents without state aid. National alternatives (WGU, SNHU, UF Online with the in-state-rate-everywhere model) sit on the homepage master comparison.