Fee Information

2023-2024 Schedule of Tuition and Fees

The CSU makes every effort to keep student costs to a minimum. Tuition and fees listed in published schedules or student accounts may need to be increased when public funding is inadequate. Therefore, CSU reserves the right, even after tuition or fees are initially charged or initial payments are made, to increase or modify any listed tuition or fees. All listed fees, other than mandatory systemwide tuition, are subject to change without notice, until the date when instruction for a particular semester or quarter has begun. All CSU-listed tuition and fees should be regarded as estimates that are subject to change upon approval by the Board of Trustees, the chancellor or the presidents, as appropriate. Changes in mandatory systemwide tuition will be made in accordance with the requirements of the Working Families Student Fee Transparency and Accountability Act (Sections 66028 through 66028.6 of the California Education Code).

The following reflects applicable systemwide tuition and fees for both semester and quarter universities for undergraduate, credential, graduate, post-baccalaureate and doctoral programs.

These rates are subject to change. 

All Students

Application fee (nonrefundable), payable online at the time of application via credit card or PayPal: $70.

Mandatory systemwide tuition is waived for those individuals who qualify for such exemption under the provisions of the California Education Code (see section on fee waivers).

Students are charged campus fees in addition to tuition and systemwide fees. Information on campus fees can be found by contacting the individual CSUs.

2023-24 Basic Tuition

* Applicable term tuition applies for universities with special terms, as determined by the university. Total college year tuition cannot exceed the academic year plus summer term tuition. The summer term tuition for the education doctorate at quarter universities is equal to the per semester tuition listed in the table. Total tuition for the education doctorate over the college year equals the per academic year tuition plus the per semester tuition for the summer term at all CSUs.

2023-24 Graduate Business Professional Fee

The graduate business professional fee is paid on a per unit basis in addition to applicable systemwide tuition and campus fees for specific campus graduate business programs authorized to assess the fee. A list of academic programs authorized to assess the fee can be found at the CSU Tuition website.

Nonresident Students (U.S. and Foreign)

Nonresident tuition (in addition to basic tuition and other systemwide fees charged all students) for all CSU .

2023-24 Nonresident Students (U.S. and Foreign)

The total nonresident tuition paid per term will be determined by the number of units taken. 

Credit Cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover credit cards may be used for payment of student tuition and fees but may be subject to a non-refundable credit card processing fee.

2024-2025 Schedule of Tuition and Fees

The CSU makes every effort to keep student costs to a minimum. Tuition and fees listed in published schedules or student accounts may need to be increased when public funding is inadequate. Therefore, CSU reserves the right, even after tuition or fees are initially charged or initial payments are made, to increase or modify any listed tuition or fees. All listed fees, other than mandatory systemwide tuition, are subject to change without notice, until the date when instruction for a particular semester or quarter has begun. All CSU-listed tuition and fees should be regarded as estimates that are subject to change upon approval by the Board of Trustees, the chancellor or the presidents, as appropriate. Changes in mandatory systemwide tuition will be made in accordance with the requirements of the Working Families Student Fee Transparency and Accountability Act (Sections 66028 – 66028.6 of the California Education Code). 

The following reflects applicable systemwide tuition and fees for both semester and quarter universities for undergraduate, credential, graduate, postbaccalaureate and doctoral programs.

These rates are subject to change.

All Students

Application fee (nonrefundable), payable online at the time of application via credit card or PayPal: $70.

Mandatory systemwide tuition is waived for those individuals who qualify for such exemption under the provisions of the California Education Code (see section on fee waivers).

Students are charged campus fees in addition to tuition and systemwide fees. Information on campus fees can be found by contacting the individual CSUs.

2024-2025 Basic Tuition

* Applicable term tuition applies for universities with special terms, as determined by the campus. Total college year tuition cannot exceed the academic year plus summer term tuition. The summer term tuition for the education doctorate at quarter universities is equal to the per semester tuition listed in the table. Total tuition for the education doctorate over the college year equals the per academic year tuition plus the per semester tuition for the summer term at all CSUs.

2024-2025 Graduate Business Professional Fee

The graduate business professional fee is paid on a per unit basis in addition to basic tuition and campus fees for specific graduate business programs authorized to assess the fee. A list of academic programs authorized to assess the fee can be found at the CSU Tuition website.

Nonresident Students (U.S. and Foreign)

Nonresident tuition (in addition to basic tuition and other systemwide fees charged all students) for all CSUs:

2024-2025 Nonresident Students (U.S. and Foreign)

The total nonresident tuition paid per term will be determined by the number of units taken. 

Credit Cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover credit cards may be used for payment of student tuition and fees but may be subject to a non-refundable credit card processing fee.

Category I Fees

Systemwide mandatory tuition and other fees that must be paid to apply to, enroll in or attend the university, or to pay the full cost of instruction required of some students by statute.

Category II Fees

Campus mandatory fees that must be paid to enroll in or attend the university.

Category III Fees

Fees associated with state-supported courses. Specifically for materials and services used in concert with the basic foundation of an academic course offering.

Category IV Fees

Fees, other than Category II or III fees, paid to receive materials, services or for the use of facilities provided by the university; and fees or deposits to reimburse the university for additional costs resulting from dishonored payments, late submissions, or misuse of property or as a security or guaranty.

Category V Fees

Fees paid to self-support programs such as extended education, Cal State Online extended education offerings, parking and housing, including materials and services fees, user fees, fines and deposits. Self-support programs are defined as those not receiving state general fund appropriations; instead, fees are collected to pay the full cost of a program.

Category VI Fees

Systemwide voluntary fees.

Tuition and Campus-Based Fees

• Tuition Fee
• Student Involvement and Representation Fee (optional fee)
• Campus-Based Fees
  • Associated Student Body Fee
  • Campus Union Fee
  • Consolidated Course Fee
  • Health Center Fee
  • Health Facilities Fee
  • Instructionally Related Activities Fee
  • Student ID Card Fee
  • Student Success Fee
  • TITAN Participation Fee

Fee Payment

Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover credit cards and ACH (e-check) from savings or checking accounts may be used for payment of student fees. Payments may be made online by logging into the student portal at fullerton.edu and clicking on “Student Homepage.” Select “Financial Account” to view any current balances due and follow the instructions to “Make a Payment.” For other payment options, go to the Student Business Services website at https://sbs.fullerton.edu/.

ID Card

The campus ID card, the TitanCard, incorporates multiple applications into a single card. The TitanCard, which bears the user’s photograph, signature and CSUF logo, is designed to be the student’s permanent ID card with electronic validation occurring each semester of enrollment. The card permits easy access to university facilities and services including the Pollak Library, recreation activities, several student affairs offices, athletics ticket office, Titan Shops, dining and vending services, computer labs, student elections, etc. TitanTender is the debit account portion of the TitanCard, reducing the need to carry cash on campus. The card also can serve as a long-distance calling card and ATM card.

Fee Waivers and Exemptions

The California Education Code provides for the waiver of mandatory systemwide tuition fees as summarized below: 

Section 66025.3(a) – Dependent eligible to receive assistance under Article 2 of Chapter 4 of Division 4 of the Military and Veterans Code; child of any veteran of the United States military who has a service- connected disability, has been killed in service, or has died of a service-connected disability, and meets specified income provisions; dependent, or surviving spouse who has not remarried of any member of the California National Guard who, in the line of duty, and while in the active service of the state, was killed, died of a disability or permanently disabled as a result of an event that occurred while in the active service of the state, and any undergraduate student who is a recipient of a Medal of Honor, or an undergraduate student who is a child of a recipient of a Medal of Honor who is 27 years old or younger, who meets the income restriction and California residency requirement.

Section 66025.3(b) – Current or former foster youth who is 25 years of age or younger; has been in foster care for at least 12 consecutive months after reaching 10 years of age; meet any of the following:

• Is under a current foster care placement order by the juvenile court.
• Was under a foster care placement order by the juvenile court upon reaching 18 years of age.
• Was adopted, or entered guardianship, from foster care. The current or former foster youth needs to complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
• Maintains a minimum grade point average and meets other conditions necessary to be in good standing at the university; and meets the financial need requirements established for Cal Grant A awards under Chapter 1.7 (commencing with Section 69430) of Part 42.

The waiver of mandatory systemwide tuition and fees under this section applies only to a person who is determined to be a resident of California pursuant to Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 68000) of Part 41 of the California Education Code.

Section 66602 – A qualifying student from the California State University who is appointed by the Governor to serve as Trustee of the California State University for the duration of the student member’s term of office. 

Section 68120 – Surviving spouse or child of a deceased California resident who was employed by a public agency, or was a contractor or an employee of a contractor, performing services for a public agency, or was a firefighter employed by the federal government whose duty assignment involved the performance of firefighting services in this state. The deceased person’s principal duties consisted of active law enforcement service or active fire suppression and prevention, and was killed  in the performance of active law enforcement or active fire suppression and prevention duties (referred to as Alan Pattee Scholarships).

Additionally, a person who qualifies for the waiver under this section as a surviving child of a contractor, or of an employee of a contractor, who performed services for a public agency, must be enrolled as an undergraduate student at the California State University and meet the applicable income restriction requirement with supporting documentation (i.e. student’s income, including the value of parent support, does not exceed the maximum household income and asset level for an applicant for a Cal Grant B award). 

Section 68120.3 - Surviving spouse (until January 1, 2033) or surviving child (until attaining the age of 30) of a deceased California resident who was a licensed physician or licensed nurse employed by or under contract with a health facility regulated and licensed by the State Department of Public Health to provide medical services, or a first responder employed to provide emergency services as described in Section 8562 of the Government Code. The deceased person’s principal duties consisted of providing medical services or emergency services during the COVID-19 pandemic state of emergency (started March 4, 2020, until the Governor lifts the state of emergency), and the deceased person died of COVID-19 during the COVID-19 pandemic state of emergency. The person who qualifies for this waiver must enroll as an undergraduate student at a campus of the California State University, was a resident of California during the COVID-19 pandemic state of emergency, and the annual income (including the value of parent’s support) does not exceed the maximum household income and asset level for an applicant for a Cal Grant A award, as set forth in Section 69432.7.

Section 68121 – A qualifying undergraduate student (until attaining the age of 30) who is the surviving dependent of any individual killed in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon building in Washington, D.C., or the crash of United Airlines Flight 93 in southwestern Pennsylvania, if the student meets the financial need requirements set forth in Government Code Section 69432.7 for the Cal Grant A Program and either the surviving dependent or the individual killed in the attacks was a resident of California on September 11, 2001.

Section 69000 – A California resident who has been exonerated, as that term is defined in Section 3007.05 of the Penal Code; completes and submits the FAFSA; and meets the financial need requirements established for Cal Grant A awards.  The student’s mandatory systemwide tuition and fees waived pursuant to this subdivision shall not have in excess of the equivalent of six years of full-time attendance in an undergraduate program.

Students who may qualify for the above benefits should contact the Admissions/Registrar’s Office for further information and/or an eligibility determination. 

The California Education Code provides for the following nonresident tuition exemptions as summarized below: 

Section 68075 - A student who is a member of the Armed Forces of the United States stationed in this state, except a member of the Armed Forces assigned for educational purposes to a state-supported institution of higher education, is entitled to resident classification only for the purpose of determining the amount of tuition and fees. 

If that member of the Armed Forces of the United States who is in attendance at an institution is thereafter transferred on military orders to a place outside this state where the member continues to serve in the Armed Forces of the United States, the member shall not lose member’s resident classification so long as the member remains continuously enrolled at that institution. 

Section 68075.7 – A nonresident student is exempt from paying nonresident tuition or any other fee that is exclusively applicable to nonresident students if the student (1) resides in California, (2) meets the definition of “covered individual” as defined in Section 3679(c)(2) of Title 38 of the United States Code, (3) is eligible for education benefits under the federal Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty program (Chapter 30 (commencing with Section 3001) of Title 38 of the United States Code), the Veterans Readiness and Employment program (Chapter 31 (commencing with Section 3100) of Title 38 of the United States Code), the Post–9/11 GI Bill program (Chapter 33 (commencing with Section 3301) of Title 38 of the United States Code), or the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance program (Chapter 35 (commencing with Section 3500) of Title 38 of the United States Code), as each read on January 5, 2022.

Section 68122 – A student who is a victim of trafficking, domestic violence, and other serious crimes who has been granted a status under Section 1101(a)(15)(T)(i) or (ii), or Section 1101(a)(15)(U)(i) or (ii), of Title 8 of the United States Code shall be exempt from paying nonresident tuition to the same extent as individuals who are admitted to the United States as refugees under Section 1157 of Title 8 of the United States Code. 

Section 68130.5 – A nonresident student, other than a person excluded from the term “immigrant” for purposes of the federal Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. Sec. 1101), pursuant to paragraph (15) of subsection (a) of Section 1101 of Title 8 of the United States Code, shall be exempt from paying nonresident tuition if the student meets the requirements of (1) through (4), below: 

1. Satisfaction of the requirements of either subparagraph (A) or subparagraph (B):
   1. A total attendance of, or attainment of credits earned while in California equivalent to, three or more years of full-time attendance or attainment of credits at any of the following:
      1. California high schools.
      2. California high schools established by the State Board of Education.
      3. California adult schools established by a county office of education, a unified school district or high school district, or the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (subject to the class hours’ requirement).
      4. Campuses of the California Community Colleges (subject to the credit requirements).
      5. A combination of those schools set forth in clauses (i) to (iv), inclusive. 
   2. Three or more years of full-time high school coursework in California, and a total of three or more years of attendance in California elementary schools, California secondary schools, or a combination of both. 
2. Satisfaction of any of the following:
   1. Graduation from a California high school or attainment of the equivalent thereof.
   2. Attainment of an associate degree from a campus of the California Community Colleges.
   3. Fulfillment of the minimum transfer requirements established for the California State University for students transferring from a campus of the California Community Colleges. 
3. Registration as an entering student at, or current enrollment at, an accredited institution of higher education in California not earlier than the fall semester or quarter of the 2001–02 academic year.
4. In the case of a person without lawful immigration status, the filing of an affidavit with the institution of higher education stating that the student has filed an application to legalize the student’s immigration status or will file an application as soon as the student is eligible to do so.  

Refund of Tuition and Mandatory Fees, Including Nonresident Tuition

Regulations governing the refund of tuition and mandatory fees, including nonresident tuition, for students enrolling at the California State University are included in Section 41802 of Title 5, California Code of Regulations. For purposes of the refund policy, mandatory fees are defined as those systemwide and campus fees that are required to be paid in order to enroll in state-supported academic programs at the CSU. Refunds of fees and tuition charges for self-support, special session and Professional and Continuing Education (PaCE) or courses at the CSU are governed by a separate policy established by the university, available at ou.fullerton.edu/fees-resources.

In order to receive a full refund of tuition and mandatory fees, including nonresident tuition, less an administrative charge established by the campus, a student must cancel registration or drop all courses prior to the first day of instruction for the term. Information on procedures and deadlines for canceling registration and dropping classes is available in the online Registration Guide or Student Business Services website at https://sbs.fullerton.edu/services/refunds.

For state-supported semesters, quarters and non-standard terms or courses of four weeks or more, a student who withdraws during the term in accordance with the university’s established procedures or drops all courses prior to the campus-designated drop period will receive a refund of tuition and mandatory fees, including nonresident tuition, based on the portion of the term during which the student was enrolled. No student withdrawing after the 60 percent point in the term will be entitled to a refund of any mandatory fees or nonresident tuition. 

A student who, within the campus-designated drop period and in accordance with campus procedures, drops units resulting in a lower tuition and/or mandatory fee obligation shall be entitled to a refund of applicable tuition and mandatory fees less an administrative charge established by the university. 

For state-supported non-standard terms or courses of less than four weeks, no refunds of tuition and mandatory fees, including nonresident tuition, will be made unless a student cancels registration or drops all classes, in accordance with the university’s established procedures and deadlines, prior to the first day of instruction for state-supported non-standard terms or courses or prior to the first meeting for courses of less than four weeks. 

Students will also receive a refund of tuition and mandatory fees, including nonresident tuition, under the following circumstances: 

• The tuition and fees were assessed or collected in error; 
• The course for which the tuition and fees were assessed or collected was canceled by the university; 
• The university makes a delayed decision that the student was not eligible to enroll in the term for which tuition and mandatory fees were assessed and collected and the delayed decision was not due to incomplete or inaccurate information provided by the student; or 
• The student was activated for compulsory military service. 

Students who are not entitled to a refund as described above may petition the university for a refund demonstrating exceptional circumstances and the chief financial officer of the university or designee may authorize a refund if he or she determines that the fees and tuition were not earned by the university. 

Information concerning any aspect of the refund of fees may be obtained from Student Business Services, Gordon Hall 180, 657-278-2495.

Services Supported by Tuition Fees

Undergraduate, Credential Program, Graduate/Post Baccalaureate and Doctorate Tuition Fees provides financing for the following student services:

• Social and Cultural Development Activities - Provides for the coordination of various student activities, student organizations, student government and cultural programs
• Counseling - Includes the cost of counselors’ salaries and clerical support, plus operating expenses and equipment
• Testing - Covers the cost of test officers, psychometrists, clerical support, operating expenses and equipment
• Placement - Provides career information to students and faculty for academic program planning and employment information to graduates and students
• Financial Aid Administration - Includes the cost of the counseling and business services provided in connection with the financial aid programs
• Health Services - Provides health services to students and covers the cost of salaries of medical officers and nurses and related clerical and technical personnel, as well as operating expenses and equipment
• Housing - Supports personnel who provide housing information and monitor housing services available to students
• Student Affairs Administration - Covers 50 percent of the cost of the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, which has responsibility for the overall administration of student services

Typical Student Expenses 2023-24

Typical school year budgets for California residents vary widely. Room and board allowances for nine months range from $9,420 for students living at home to $18,348 for students living on campus and $18,464 for students living off campus. The allowance for books and supplies is $965. Total yearly costs include allowances for tuition and fees, books and supplies, room and board, transportation and miscellaneous personal expenses range from $22,601 for a student living at home to $30,609 for a student living on campus and $32,390 for a student living off campus. Nonresident students must also allow for nonresident tuition fees in addition to the costs listed above. Further details on student costs are available from the Office of Financial Aid (Gordon Hall 146).

Procedure for the Establishment or Abolishment of Campus-Based Mandatory Fees

The law governing the California State University provides that specific campus fees defined as mandatory, such as a student body association fee and a student body center fee, may be established. A student body association fee must be established upon a favorable vote of two-thirds of the students voting in an election held for this purpose (Education Code, Section 89300). The campus president may adjust the student body association fee only after the fee adjustment has been approved by a majority of students voting in a referendum established for that purpose. The required fee shall be subject to referendum at any time upon the presentation of a petition to the campus president containing the signatures of 10 percent of the regularly enrolled students at the university. Student body association fees support a variety of cultural and recreational programs, childcare centers, and special student support programs. A student body center fee must be established upon a favorable vote of two-thirds of the students voting in an election held for this purpose (Education Code, Section 89304). Once bonds are issued, authority to set and adjust student body center fees is governed by provisions of the State University Revenue Bond Act of 1947, including, but not limited to, Education Code sections 90012, 90027 and 90068. A student success fee may be established or adjusted only after the campus undertakes a rigorous consultation process and a fee referendum is held with a simple majority favorable vote (Education Code, Section 89712). The student success fee may be rescinded by a majority vote of the students only after six years have elapsed following the vote to implement the fee.

The process to establish and adjust other campus-based mandatory fees requires consideration by the campus fee advisory committee and a consultation or student referendum process as established by California State University Student Tition and Fee Policy, Sections III and IV (or any successor policy). The university president may use consultation mechanisms if he/she determines that a referendum is not the best mechanism to achieve appropriate and meaningful consultation, and referendum is not required by the Education Code or Student Success Fee policy. Results of the referendum and the fee committee review are advisory to the campus president. The president may adjust campus-based mandatory fees but must request the chancellor to establish a new mandatory fee. The president shall provide to the campus fee advisory committee a report of all campus-based mandatory fees. The university shall report annually to the chancellor a complete inventory of all campus-based mandatory fees. 

For more information or questions, please contact the System Budget Office in the CSU Chancellor’s Office at csubudgetofce@calstate.edu or 562-951-4560.

Average Support Cost Per Full-Time Equivalent Student and Sources of Funds

The total support cost per full-time equivalent student (FTES) includes the expenditures for current operations, including payments made to students in the form of financial aid, and all fully reimbursed programs contained in state appropriations. The average support cost is determined by dividing the total cost by the number of FTES. The total CSU 2023-24 budget amounts were $4,988,674,000 from state General Fund (GF) appropriations, $2,459,737,000, from gross tuition revenue, and $707,090,000 from other fee revenues for a total of $8,155,501,000. The 2023-24 resident FTES target is 387,114 and the nonresident FTES based on past-year actual is 20,907 for a total of 408,021 FTES. The GF appropriation is applicable to resident students only whereas fee revenues are collected from resident and nonresident students. FTES is derived by dividing the total student credit units attempted by a fixed amount depending on academic level (e.g., 30 for a semester university and 45 for a quarter university, the figures that define a full-time undergraduate or postbaccalaureate student’s academic load).

¹ Represents state GF appropriation in the Budget Act of 203/24; GF is divisible by resident students only (387,114 FTES).

² Represents CSU Operating Fund, gross tuition and other fees revenue amounts submitted in university September 2023/24 final budgets. Revenues are divisible by resident and nonresident students (408,021 FTES).

The 2023-24 average support cost per FTES based on GF appropriation and tuition fee revenue only is $18,915 and is $20,648, which includes all fee revenue (e.g., tuition fees, application fees, and campus mandatory fees) in the CSU Operating Fund. Of this amount, the average tuition and other fee revenue per FTES is $7,761.

The average CSU 2023-24 academic year, resident, undergraduate student basic tuition and other mandatory fees required to apply to, enroll in, or attend the university is $7,622 ($5,742 tuition fee plus $1,880 average campus-based fees). However, the costs paid by individual students will vary depending on the university, program, and whether a student is part-time, full-time, resident, or nonresident.

Parking Fees

Parking fees and penalties are available at the Parking and Transportation website parking.fullerton.edu or by calling 657-278-3082.

The semester parking permit fee schedule and daily parking permit rate is available at parking.fullerton.edu/services.

Parking ticket information and penalties are available at parking.fullerton.edu/parkingtickets.