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Cheapest Mathematics Colleges in California

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

California State University-Dominguez Hills delivers the state's most affordable mathematics program at just $3,659 net cost annually, nearly $8,000 less than UC San Diego's $11,750 despite both being public institutions. This dramatic cost difference reflects California's two-tier public system, where CSU campuses prioritize accessibility while UC schools focus on research intensity. Mathematics graduates from CSU Northridge earn $47,260 annually, the highest among affordable options, benefiting from proximity to aerospace companies like Northrop Grumman and SpaceX in Southern California. The Cal Grant program covers tuition for qualifying students across all 15 schools, making even UC San Diego's $15,265 sticker price manageable for many families. Graduation rates vary significantly from CSU East Bay's 45.5% to UC San Diego's 87.6%, suggesting that institutional support and student preparedness play major roles in completion. Silicon Valley's tech boom and California's aerospace industry create strong demand for mathematical modeling, data analysis, and computational skills.
50
Programs
$3,659 – $29,871
Net Price Range
$39,998
Avg. Program Earnings
66.8%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Mathematics Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $3,659 $7,064 46.9% 89.1%
2 $4,113 $6,813 52.6% 86.9%
3 $5,646 $7,073 69.2% 66.7%
4 $5,671 $7,826 58.0% 96.6%
5 $5,825 $7,696 49.3% 86.6%
6 $5,918 $7,675 54.7% 91.1%
7 $6,480 $6,980 54.8% 95.4%
8 $7,599 $7,095 56.2% 91.2%
9 $8,931 $7,008 69.9% 40.0%
10 $9,792 $6,817 53.5% 89.7%
11 $10,512 $7,602 55.8% 93.2%
12 $10,550 $7,739 54.2% 95.2%
13 $11,276 $7,055 45.5% 96.2%
14 $11,580 $7,439 66.7% 55.4%
15 $11,750 $15,265 87.6% 23.7%
16 $12,136 $62,484 92.8% 3.7%
17 $12,840 $14,237 86.0% 21.2%
18 $12,882 $7,424 50.1% 94.2%
19 $13,167 $7,913 46.6% 98.2%
20 $13,707 $14,170 76.6% 68.7%
21 $13,741 $7,992 64.7% 76.7%
22 $13,801 $8,190 60.5% 94.0%
23 $13,825 $14,965 85.3% 25.9%
24 $14,013 $13,747 92.7% 8.6%
25 $14,317 $35,558 55.9% 75.0%
26 $14,487 $7,437 63.2% 92.4%
27 $14,838 $8,064 63.6% 95.0%
28 $14,979 $14,850 92.9% 11.3%
29 $15,288 $15,247 85.1% 37.3%
30 $15,624 $11,075 85.2% 30.4%
31 $16,174 $8,290 78.3% 39.3%
32 $16,607 $14,560 74.5% 46.9%
33 $18,902 $63,255 93.2% 2.7%
34 $19,424 $62,326 93.2% 7.0%
35 $19,761 $39,950 55.9% 74.8%
36 $19,798 $43,600 64.4% 87.0%
37 $20,979 $35,214 51.5% 48.5%
38 $22,867 $57,614 70.7% 81.9%
39 $25,009 $48,132 53.4% 75.8%
40 $25,300 $37,150 60.7% 65.9%
41 $25,926 $55,340 67.8% 93.2%
42 $26,217 $35,910 68.1% 91.9%
43 $26,433 $50,670 74.0% 87.2%
44 $26,925 $47,000 65.4% 73.5%
45 $27,384 $39,720 59.5% 79.9%
46 $27,384 $64,150 95.2% 10.4%
47 $27,923 $38,522 41.7%
48 $28,046 $41,390 62.5% 69.0%
49 $28,101 $46,704 68.8% 56.6%
50 $29,871 $49,864 63.4% 75.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What accounts for the $8,000 cost difference between the cheapest and most expensive programs?

CSU Dominguez Hills costs $3,659 annually while UC San Diego reaches $11,750, reflecting California's dual public university system. CSU schools prioritize teaching and regional workforce development, keeping costs low through streamlined operations. UC campuses emphasize research and attract students statewide, driving up demand and costs. Geographic location also matters, with Bay Area and San Diego schools facing higher operational expenses.

How do graduation rates correlate with program costs in these mathematics programs?

Higher-cost programs generally show better completion rates, with UC San Diego achieving 87.6% graduation at $11,750 net cost. Among affordable options, CSU Fullerton and Long Beach both exceed 69% graduation rates despite costs under $9,000. However, CSU East Bay struggles with just 45.5% completion despite moderate $11,276 costs. Institutional support and student preparation appear more important than price alone.

Where do mathematics graduates earn the most relative to their program costs?

CSU Northridge offers the best return on investment, with graduates earning $47,260 annually from a program costing $7,599 net. CSU Fresno graduates earn $41,193 from a $6,480 program, while UC San Diego produces $39,729 earners at $11,750 cost. These earnings reflect regional job markets, with Northridge benefiting from aerospace and entertainment industry proximity in Los Angeles.

Is the Cal Grant program significant enough to affect college choice for mathematics students?

Cal Grant covers full tuition at CSU schools and partial tuition at UC campuses, making even expensive options accessible. Students qualifying for maximum aid pay roughly $3,000-12,000 annually across all 15 programs. Without Cal Grant, CSU tuition alone ranges from $6,800-7,800, while UC San Diego charges $15,265. This state funding essentially eliminates tuition as a barrier for eligible California residents.

Does program selectivity indicate quality among these affordable mathematics options?

Acceptance rates vary dramatically from UC San Diego's competitive 23.7% to CSU East Bay's open 96.2% admission. CSU Long Beach maintains 39.9% acceptance while achieving 69.9% graduation rates, suggesting selective admission supports completion. However, CSU Dominguez Hills admits 89.1% of applicants while keeping costs lowest at $3,659. Selectivity often reflects geographic desirability and campus reputation rather than pure academic quality.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.