UCLA Undergraduate Tuition: All You Need to Know

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is home to more than 33,000 undergraduate students and was ranked the #2 top public university in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. UCLA attracts students from across California, the rest of the country, and around the world. But before applying, families should understand the full cost of attending UCLA, from tuition and housing to residency status and financial aid.

For the 2025–2026 academic year, UCLA undergraduate tuition is set at $16,706 for California residents and $55,976 for non-residents, including the Nonresident Supplemental Tuition. How much a student ultimately pays can vary significantly depending on residency status and financial aid eligibility.

This guide breaks down UCLA undergraduate tuition and fees, covering in-state and out-of-state costs, mandatory fees, residency rules, financial aid options, and what students can expect when budgeting for four years at UCLA.

• UCLA In-State Tuition
• UCLA Out-of-State Tuition
• UCLA Financial Aid
• How to Apply for UCLA Financial Aid
• Trying to Get into UCLA?
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

UCLA In-State Tuition

For the 2025–2026 academic year, UCLA undergraduate tuition and fees for California residents are set at $16,706. This amount includes university tuition and mandatory campus fees and applies to all undergraduate students regardless of major or degree program. UCLA notes that tuition and fee amounts are still subject to final approval by the University of California.

The latest increase is part of the University of California’s Tuition Stability Plan, approved by the UC Board of Regents in July 2021. Under this framework, tuition stays stable for each incoming student cohort while expanding financial aid support and helping families plan for long-term college costs more predictably.

Here’s the estimated 2025–2026 cost of attendance for California resident undergraduate students at UCLA:

Many families also ask whether UCLA is free for California residents. The answer is no, at least not automatically. However, eligible students may receive substantial financial aid through programs such as the UC Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan, which helps cover systemwide tuition and fees for qualifying California families.

Even when tuition is fully covered by grants, students may still need to pay for housing, meals, transportation, and other personal expenses included in UCLA’s total cost of attendance.

UCLA Out-of-State Tuition

For the 2025–2026 academic year, nonresident undergraduate students at UCLA pay the standard $16,706 in university fees plus an additional $39,270 in Nonresident Supplemental Tuition. As a result, total annual costs for out-of-state and international students are significantly higher than they are for California residents.

Like resident tuition, UCLA’s nonresident costs increased year over year under the University of California’s Tuition Stability Plan approved in 2021. International students are also classified as nonresidents and pay the same supplemental tuition rate.

Below is the estimated 2025–2026 cost of attendance for nonresident undergraduate students at UCLA:

Understanding UCLA residency requirements

Some students hope to qualify for California residency after enrolling at UCLA in order to reduce tuition costs, but the residency reclassification process is strict. The University of California requires students to demonstrate physical presence in California, intent to make California their permanent home, and financial independence in certain situations.

Many families mistakenly assume that attending a California high school or simply living in California while enrolled automatically qualifies a student for in-state tuition. UCLA specifically notes that residency classification involves more than temporary residence in the state for educational purposes.

In most cases, students cannot pursue residency reclassification until after completing at least one full year in California. Students considering this option should carefully review UC residency requirements and contact the UCLA Registrar’s Office directly for guidance on eligibility policies.

UCLA Financial Aid

The sticker price of attending UCLA can look intimidating at first, especially for out-of-state students. However, financial aid significantly reduces the actual cost for many families.

In fact, about 54% of California students receive enough financial aid to fully cover tuition, and many undergraduates receive grants and scholarships that lower their overall cost of attendance.

It’s also important to understand the difference between aid that does not need to be repaid and aid that does. Grants and scholarships are forms of gift aid, meaning students typically don’t repay them. Loans, on the other hand, must eventually be repaid with interest after graduation.

Types of aid at UCLA

UCLA undergraduate students can receive financial aid from several different sources, including federal programs, the state of California, UCLA itself, and private organizations.

• Scholarships. UCLA offers scholarships based on academic achievement, financial need, leadership, talents, background, and professional interests. Some awards are automatically considered through admissions, while others require separate applications.
• Grants. Grants are financial aid awards that typically do not need to be repaid. UCLA students may receive grants from federal programs, the state of California, or the university itself based on demonstrated financial need.
• Loans. Federal and private loans can help students and families cover remaining college costs after grants and scholarships are applied. Unlike grants and scholarships, loans must eventually be repaid with interest.
• Part-time student jobs and work-study. Many UCLA students work part-time to help pay for college expenses. Some students also qualify for work-study programs, which can make it easier to find eligible on-campus or off-campus jobs.

How UCLA financial aid works

UCLA uses a student’s total cost of attendance (COA) to determine financial need. The Financial Aid Office then builds an aid package designed to help bridge the gap between the university’s estimated costs and what a family is expected to contribute.

One important term families should understand is net price. Net price refers to the total cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships received. This is often much lower than UCLA’s published sticker price, especially for students from lower- and middle-income households.

Because financial aid packages vary based on income, assets, household size, residency status, and other factors, you should avoid making assumptions based only on UCLA undergraduate tuition figures. The university encourages families to use their Net Price Calculator to estimate their likely financial aid package and expected costs before applying.

How to Apply for UCLA Financial Aid

Applying for financial aid at UCLA is separate from applying for admission, and meeting deadlines is extremely important. Missing a financial aid deadline can reduce the amount or affect the types of aid a student receives.

UCLA offers pathways for both domestic and eligible undocumented California students to apply for aid through the FAFSA and the California Dream Act Application (CADAA), respectively.

For the 2025–2026 academic year, UCLA’s priority financial aid deadline is March 2. First-year students must submit their Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) by May 1, while transfer students have until June 1.

Eligibility requirements

To qualify for UCLA financial aid, students generally must meet several requirements, including enrollment eligibility and satisfactory academic progress (SAP) standards. Students applying for federal aid must also meet citizenship or eligible noncitizen requirements.

For example, some state-based aid programs, including the Cal Grant, are limited to California residents or students who qualify under specific California Dream Act or AB540 guidelines. However, nonresident and international students may still qualify for certain UCLA institutional scholarships or other limited aid programs.

Financial aid eligibility is reassessed every year, which means students must reapply annually by submitting a new FAFSA or California Dream Act Application.

Step-by-step application process

Applying for UCLA financial aid involves several important steps:

1. Complete the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application.

U.S. citizens and permanent residents should complete the FAFSA, while eligible undocumented California students should submit the CADAA. Both applications should be submitted by UCLA’s March 2 priority deadline.

2. Monitor application confirmations and follow-up requests.

After submission, students receive confirmation that their application was processed. UCLA may request additional documentation if application information needs verification.

3. Complete verification requirements if selected.

Some students are selected for verification and must submit additional forms or tax documentation before aid can be finalized.

4. Confirm your housing status.

UCLA uses housing arrangements, such as living on campus, off campus, or with family, to calculate cost of attendance and financial aid eligibility. Students can update their housing information through the Bruin Financial Aid Portal if needed.

5. Review your Financial Aid Notification (FAN).

Once all required documents are submitted, UCLA reviews the file and issues a Financial Aid Notification outlining grants, scholarships, loans, work-study eligibility, and estimated costs.

6. Accept or decline aid offers.

Students can choose which portions of their financial aid package to accept, particularly when it comes to loans and work-study opportunities.

Trying to Get into UCLA?

Getting into UCLA means competing in one of the largest and most selective applicant pools in the country. For the Class of 2029, UCLA admitted only 13,659 students out of 145,086 applicants, resulting in a 9.41% acceptance rate.

Strong grades are important, but UCLA also evaluates students based on coursework rigor, extracurricular involvement, leadership, personal insight responses, and overall fit.

If you want expert guidance throughout the application process, AdmissionSight’s Academic and Extracurricular Profile Evaluation & Roadmap can help you better understand where your profile stands and what steps you can take to strengthen your UCLA application. From course selection and extracurricular planning to application strategy and essay guidance, we’ll help you build a more competitive application profile before you apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How much is UCLA undergraduate tuition for the 2025–2026 academic year?

For 2025–2026, UCLA undergraduate tuition and fees are $16,706 for California residents. Nonresident students, including international students, pay an additional $39,270 in Nonresident Supplemental Tuition.

2. What is the difference between UCLA tuition and the total cost of attendance?

Tuition refers to the amount charged for university instruction and mandatory campus fees. The total cost of attendance also includes housing, meals, books, transportation, health insurance, and personal expenses.

3. Does UCLA offer free tuition for California residents with financial need?

Not automatically, but eligible California students may qualify for programs such as the UC Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan, which can fully cover systemwide tuition and fees through grants and scholarships.

4. How do UCLA undergraduate tuition and fees compare to other UC campuses?

UCLA’s undergraduate tuition and systemwide fees are generally similar to those at other University of California campuses because tuition is set at the UC system level. However, total cost of attendance can vary depending on housing costs, campus fees, and location.

5. Can international students receive financial aid to offset UCLA out-of-state tuition?

No. International students are generally ineligible for federal or California state financial aid programs. However, some may qualify for external private scholarships that can help reduce overall costs.

Takeaways

• UCLA undergraduate tuition for 2025–2026 is $16,706 for California residents, while nonresident students pay an additional $39,270 in supplemental tuition on top of standard university fees.
• The total cost of attending UCLA goes beyond tuition and includes housing, meals, transportation, books, health insurance, and personal expenses, which can significantly affect overall college costs.
• Financial aid can substantially reduce UCLA’s sticker price for many students through grants, scholarships, work-study opportunities, and other aid programs such as the UC Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan.
• Understanding UCLA residency rules, financial aid deadlines, and the application process early can help students and families make more informed and realistic college financial plans.
• Work with an admissions expert to build a stronger UCLA application, understand financial planning considerations, and navigate the competitive UC admissions process.