Understanding the Cost of Living at UCLA: A Comprehensive Guide
Making an informed financial decision about college requires a clear understanding of all associated expenses. This article provides a detailed breakdown of the cost of living at UCLA, covering housing, food, tuition, and other essential expenses. It also addresses financial aid options and resources available to students.
Housing and Meal Plan Costs at UCLA
For many students, housing and dining constitute a significant portion of their college expenses. At UCLA, these costs are typically bundled together. In 2021, students paid approximately $16,763 for the cost of living, encompassing both housing and dining.
On-Campus vs. Off-Campus Expenses
The following table provides a comparison of average expected expenses for students living on-campus versus off-campus:
| Expense | On-Campus | Off-Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Room and Board | $16,763 | $16,763 |
| Other Living Expenses | $4,871 | $5,560 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,405 | $1,405 |
| Total | $23,039 | $22,915 |
As shown, the total cost of living is fairly similar whether a student chooses to live on or off-campus.
Projecting Room and Board Costs Over Four Years
The cost of room and board will increase over the duration of an undergraduate degree. It's estimated that in their final year, a student might pay around $24,287 for an associate degree and $25,639 for a bachelor's degree. Therefore, the estimated total cost for a complete degree (assuming on-time graduation) is approximately $98,528 for a four-year stay and $47,939 for a two-year stay.
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Details on Living and Dining On-Campus
For first-time, full-time students, some universities require on-campus living. It's important to check whether UCLA has such a requirement and what the on-campus housing capacity is.
UCLA offers meal plans. These plans are based on the number of meals per week.
Cost of Attendance (COA) Explained
The total Cost of Attendance (COA) at UCLA encompasses all expenses, including tuition, fees, housing, food, educational materials, and transportation. The COA is a critical factor in determining the amount of financial aid a student can receive.
How Housing Options Affect COA
The choice of housing significantly impacts the COA. For instance, living in residence halls typically costs more than living at home. This distinction means that the housing choice directly influences the total sticker price of attending UCLA. If housing plans change, it's crucial to inform the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office to ensure aid is recalculated accurately.
Tuition and Fees
University of California, Los Angeles' tuition is $14,824 for in-state and $48,674 for out-of-state students. Compared with the national average cost of in-state tuition of $12,436, University of California, Los Angeles is more expensive. For students coming from out of state, the tuition is more expensive than the national average cost of out-of-state tuition of $29,815.
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These figures include both tuition and fees, also referred to as the sticker price. Fees differ by institution and may fund library services, student gym facilities, student centers, technology resources and campus health centers.
As you’re comparing costs of different institutions, also consider the total cost and the net price. The total cost is the sticker price, plus the cost of food and housing, books and supplies, and transportation and personal expenses. At University of California, Los Angeles, the total cost is $37,221 for in-state students and $69,516 for out-of-state students.
Typical Housing Costs
Typical Housing Costs information is compiled by UC Office of the President to give you an idea of housing costs around UCLA.
Residence Status
The Financial Aid and Scholarships office does NOT determine RESIDENCE STATUS. The UCLA Campus Residence Deputy decides your Residence Status for Tuition purposes.
Online Instruction
Some or all instruction may be ONLINE. Tuition and mandatory fees will NOT BE REFUNDED in the event any instruction occurs remotely.
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Estimated Costs for Undergraduate Students
To provide a clearer picture, here's a breakdown of estimated costs for undergraduate students based on their housing plans:
New Students Starting in the 2025-26 Academic Year
| Expense | On-Campus | Off-Campus | Commuter/Remote Learner |
|---|---|---|---|
| University Fees (UC Systemwide + Campus) | $15,700 | $15,700 | $15,700 |
| Food & Housing | $18,960 | $19,888 | $8,968 |
| Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment | $1,680 | $1,680 | $1,680 |
| Transportation | $857 | $1,646 | $2,998 |
| Personal | $2,361 | $2,481 | $2,686 |
| Health Insurance (can be waived with own insurance) | $3,579 | $3,579 | $3,579 |
| Estimated CA Resident Total Costs | $43,137 | $44,974 | $35,611 |
| Nonresident Supplemental Tuition (NRST) | $37,602 | $37,602 | $37,602 |
| Estimated Nonresident Total Costs | $80,739 | $82,576 | $73,213 |
Continuing Students (Various Academic Years)
The following tables present estimated costs for continuing students who started in different academic years. Note that tuition/fee costs are based on the year of admission to the University of California (UC) system, not the year of transfer to UCLA.
Continuing Students Who Started in the 2024-25 Academic Year
| Expense | On-Campus | Off-Campus | Commuter/Remote Learner |
|---|---|---|---|
| University Fees (UC Systemwide + Campus) | $15,202 | $15,202 | $15,202 |
| Food & Housing | $18,960 | $19,888 | $8,968 |
| Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment | $1,680 | $1,680 | $1,680 |
| Transportation | $857 | $1,646 | $2,998 |
| Personal | $2,361 | $2,481 | $2,686 |
| Health Insurance (can be waived with own insurance) | $3,579 | $3,579 | $3,579 |
| Estimated CA Resident Total Costs | $42,639 | $44,476 | $35,113 |
| Nonresident Supplemental Tuition (NRST) | $34,200 | $34,200 | $34,200 |
| Estimated Nonresident Total Costs | $76,839 | $78,676 | $69,313 |
Continuing Students Who Started in the 2023-24 Academic Year
| Expense | On-Campus | Off-Campus | Commuter/Remote Learner |
|---|---|---|---|
| University Fees (UC Systemwide + Campus) | $14,518 | $14,518 | $14,518 |
| Food & Housing | $18,960 | $19,888 | $8,968 |
| Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment | $1,680 | $1,680 | $1,680 |
| Transportation | $857 | $1,646 | $2,998 |
| Personal | $2,361 | $2,481 | $2,686 |
| Health Insurance (can be waived with own insurance) | $3,579 | $3,579 | $3,579 |
| Estimated CA Resident Total Costs | $41,955 | $43,792 | $34,429 |
| Nonresident Supplemental Tuition (NRST) | $35,574 | $32,574 | $32,574 |
| Estimated Nonresident Total Costs | $77,529 | $76,366 | $67,003 |
Continuing Students Who Started in the 2022-23 Academic Year
| Expense | On-Campus | Off-Campus | Commuter/Remote Learner |
|---|---|---|---|
| University Fees (UC Systemwide + Campus) | $13,870 | $13,870 | $13,870 |
| Food & Housing | $18,960 | $19,888 | $8,968 |
| Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment | $1,680 | $1,680 | $1,680 |
| Transportation | $857 | $1,646 | $2,998 |
| Personal | $2,361 | $2,481 | $2,686 |
| Health Insurance (can be waived with own insurance) | $3,579 | $3,579 | $3,579 |
| Estimated CA Resident Total Costs | $41,307 | $43,144 | $33,781 |
| Nonresident Supplemental Tuition (NRST) | $31,026 | $31,026 | $31,026 |
| Estimated Nonresident Total Costs | $72,333 | $74,170 | $64,807 |
Continuing Students Who Started in the 2021-22 Academic Year or Earlier
| Expense | On-Campus | Off-Campus | Commuter/Remote Learner |
|---|---|---|---|
| University Fees (UC Systemwide + Campus) | $13,336 | $13,336 | $13,336 |
| Food & Housing | $18,960 | $19,888 | $8,968 |
| Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment | $1,680 | $1,680 | $1,680 |
| Transportation | $857 | $1,646 | $2,998 |
| Personal | $2,361 | $2,481 | $2,686 |
| Health Insurance (can be waived with own insurance) | $3,579 | $3,579 | $3,579 |
| Estimated CA Resident Total Costs | $40,773 | $42,610 | $33,247 |
| Nonresident Supplemental Tuition (NRST) | $29,754 | $29,754 | $29,754 |
| Estimated Nonresident Total Costs | $70,527 | $72,364 | $63,001 |
Note: Students with dependents will have $13,034 added to their cost of attendance to cover housing, food, and personal expenses.
Graduate Student Budgets (2025-26)
| Expense | All Housing |
|---|---|
| University Fees (UC Systemwide + Campus) | $14,889 |
| Food & Housing | $27,396 |
| Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment | $1,908 |
| Transportation | $3,639 |
| Personal | $3,066 |
| Health Insurance (can be waived with own insurance) | $6,882 |
| Estimated CA Resident Total Costs | $57,780 |
| Nonresident Supplemental Tuition (NRST) | $15,102 |
| Estimated Nonresident Total Costs | $72,882 |
Financial Aid and the UCLA Affordability Initiative
UCLA recognizes the increasing challenges of college affordability and has launched the UCLA Affordability Initiative to address these concerns. This initiative focuses on:
- Helping prospective students and their families understand the total cost of higher education.
- Fundraising for scholarships designed to reduce or eliminate student loan burdens.
The initiative aims to provide pathways to debt-free education by 2030, particularly for students from California.
Understanding the Total Cost of Education
It's crucial for students and families to consider the total cost of education, which includes tuition, housing, food, books, supplies, health insurance, transportation, and personal expenses. While UCLA's tuition is relatively lower than many private universities, the cost of living in Southern California can significantly impact the overall expense.
Financial Aid Components
Financing a college education is a partnership involving contributions from students, parents/families, and state, federal, and institutional grants, including scholarships. Financial aid packages can include student contributions from loans and work, family contributions, and grants and scholarships.
The Role of Scholarships
The UCLA Affordability Initiative aims to leverage donor-funded scholarships to limit or eliminate student loan borrowing. For most students, an additional scholarship of $5,000 annually could significantly reduce their reliance on loans.
Why Focus on Reducing Student Loans?
Student loans can postpone the financial burden of college but can also lead to students delaying or forgoing graduate education and making career choices based on debt repayment needs. Furthermore, student debt disproportionately affects young women and people of color, potentially impacting their ability to achieve homeownership.
Accessing Financial Aid
The Financial Aid System automatically credits aid (scholarships, loans, etc.) to BruinBill accounts each semester for most students who receive financial aid. Registration/tuition fees and other outstanding UCLA debts, such as student health or computer lab printing fees, are automatically deducted.
Paying Your BruinBill
All students are assigned a BruinBill account, and charges must be paid in full by the 20th of each month (or the preceding workday if the 20th falls on a weekend or holiday). Failure to settle financial obligations may result in a hold being placed on the student’s record.
Payment Options
- Online: Pay electronically on MyUCLA with American Express, MasterCard, VISA, or Discover Card, or use the eCheck option or BruinPay Plan (BPP).
- In Person: Make cash, check, and debit card payments at the Payment Solutions and Compliance Office located at 1125 Murphy Hall.
BruinDirect
BruinDirect is UCLA’s direct deposit system that sends BruinBill account refunds directly to student bank accounts.
Health Insurance
Insurance is a condition of registration at the University of California. The cost of the UC Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP) is billed along with other UCLA fees each academic term. However, students may waive UC SHIP if they maintain active enrollment in an adequate medical/health insurance plan that meets all established requirements.
Additional Expenses and Budgeting
Students should also consider additional expenses such as special course projects, thesis preparation, research projects, and internship program expenses. UCLA may allow certain expenses as the basis for increasing the COA budget.
Budget Increase Requests
The University of California, Los Angeles, will allow professional students to increase the standardized budget intended to cover expenses above and beyond tuition/fees. This increase will grant access to additional federal Direct Graduate PLUS loans or Direct Unsubsidized loans.
Computer Purchases
Higher Education statute permits colleges and universities to allow students to use federal financial aid to purchase a computer. At UCLA, law students who wish to take advantage of this provision must obtain a Budget Increase Request Form.
Dependent Care
Students who provide for dependent children or elderly relatives while attending the UCLA School of Law may request a budget increase through our office by completing a Budget Increase Request Form and providing proof of payment.
Medical and Dental Costs
Included in the standard budget is an allowance for minor medical and dental costs for the student only. Budgets may be increased for expenses not covered by personal health insurance.
Rent Expenses
The standard budget expense for rent is $1,742/month. However, UCLA will allow up to an additional $400/month for rent expenses that exceed the standard allowance. Students with dependent children are eligible to apply for a total increase of up to $600/month.
