Understanding Your Cost of Attendance (COA)
Your Cost of Attendance (COA) is an estimate of what it may cost to attend Stanislaus State for one academic year (fall and spring). It is commonly used by colleges and universities to give students a realistic picture of overall college expenses—not just what they are billed.
It’s important to be clear: the COA is not your bill and not the exact amount every student pays. Many students mistakenly believe it represents the full amount charged by the university, but in reality, only a portion of the COA is billed directly.
The COA includes two types of costs:
- Direct costs – Tuition and mandatory fees that appear on your university bill
- Indirect costs – Estimated expenses such as housing, food, books, transportation, and personal expenses
Indirect costs are included because they are real parts of attending college, even though you don’t pay them to the university. Since every student’s situation is different, these costs can vary widely.
The COA is mainly used as a planning and budgeting tool. It helps you:
- Estimate your total cost of attending college
- Understand expenses beyond tuition and fees
- Make informed financial decisions
It is also used by the Financial Aid & Scholarship Office to determine your financial aid eligibility. Your COA sets the maximum amount of financial aid you can receive, including grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study.
Stanislaus State calculates the COA using CSU system averages and student expense survey data that is updated each year to reflect current student spending.
Tuition & Fees
Tuition and fees are the only costs you are directly charged by the university. All other amounts in the COA are estimates to help you plan for the total cost of attending college.
Note: Please visit Fee Schedules & Deadlines for more information.
Academic Year 2026-2027
Undergraduate
| Costs for | Living with Parents | Living On-Campus | Living Off-Campus |
|---|---|---|---|
| State University Tuition Fees | $6,838 | $6,838 | $6,838 |
| Campus Fees | $2,308 | $2,308 | $2,308 |
| Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment | $1,158 | $1,158 | $1,158 |
| Food and Housing | $10,404 |
Meal Plan: $5,142 Housing: $9,272 |
$20,868 |
| Transportation | $2,514 | $1,466 | $2,552 |
| Misc. Personal Expenses | $3,332 | $2,858 | $3,972 |
| DL Origination Fee | $48 | $48 | $48 |
| Total | $26,602 | $29,090 | $37,744 |
Credential
| Cost for | Living with Parents | Living On-Campus | Living Off-Campus |
|---|---|---|---|
| State University Tuition Fees | $7,938 | $7,938 | $7,938 |
| Campus Fees | $2,308 | $2,308 | $2,308 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,158 | $1,158 | $1,158 |
| Food and Housing | $10,404 |
Meal Plan: $5,142 Housing: $9,272 |
$20,868 |
| Transportation | $2,514 | $1,466 | $2,552 |
| Personal/Misc. | $3,332 | $2,858 | $3,972 |
| DL Origination Fee | $48 | $48 | $48 |
| Total | $27,702 | $30,190 | $38,844 |
Graduate
| Cost for | Living with Parents | Living On-Campus | Living Off-Campus |
|---|---|---|---|
| State University Tuition Fees | $8,548 | $8,548 | $8,548 |
| Campus Fees | $2,308 | $2,308 | $2,308 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,158 | $1,158 | $1,158 |
| Food and Housing | $10,404 |
Meal Plan: $5,142 Housing: $9,272 |
$20,868 |
| Transportation | $2,514 | $1,466 | $2,552 |
| Personal/Misc | $3,332 | $2,858 | $3,972 |
| Loan Origination Fee | $164 | $164 | $164 |
| Total | $28,428 | $30,916 | $39,570 |
Please note that certain Graduate programs may incur and additional per unit cost.
For Informational Purposes Only
In accordance with AB 990, Stanislaus State University provides estimated monthly off-campus housing cost estimates using the HUD FY 2025 Small Area Fair Market Rents (SAFMRs) for the zip codes serving the Turlock area within approximately five miles of campus.
- Cost of a one-bedroom apartment $1,228/month
- Cost of a two-bedroom apartment $1,590/month
- Cost of renting a room in an off-campus house $730/month (estimated)
Data Sources & Methodology
- Primary: CSU Chancellor’s Office analysis of HUD 2025 SAFMR by ZIP code (HUD Exchange)
- Renting a Room Calculation: Median SAFMR used for HUD per Person Monthly Rent by Housing Type Near Stanislaus State.
- Supplementary: Local rental listings (Apartments.com, Roomies.com)
Important Note About Cost Estimates
All cost estimates reflect typical student expenses, but actual costs will vary for each student. Stanislaus State encourages students and families to think about how their own costs may differ by:
- Comparing cost-of-attendance information from other sources,
- Considering additional personal expenses (such as childcare or transportation), and
- Accounting for factors like veteran or dependent status.
These figures are guidelines for financial planning and do not represent exact individual costs.
Cost of Attendance Information
Undergraduate
| Costs for | Living with Parents | Living On-Campus | Living Off-Campus |
|---|---|---|---|
| State University Tuition Fees | $6,450 | $6,450 | $6,450 |
| Campus Fees | $2,240 | $2,240 | $2,240 |
| Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment | $1,106 | $1,106 | $1,106 |
| Food and Housing | $9,824 | $13,310 | $19,684 |
| Transportation | $2,420 | $1,412 | $2,456 |
| Misc. Personal Expenses | $2,946 | $2,528 | $3,514 |
| DL Origination Fee | $46 | $46 | $46 |
| Total | $25,032 | $27,092 | $35,496 |
Credential
| Cost for | Living with Parents | Living On-Campus | Living Off-Campus |
|---|---|---|---|
| State University Tuition Fees | $7,488 | $7,488 | $7,488 |
| Campus Fees | $2,240 | $2,240 | $2,240 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,106 | $1,106 | $1,106 |
| Food and Housing | $9,824 | $13,310 | $19,684 |
| Transportation | $2,420 | $1,412 | $2,456 |
| Personal/Misc. | $2,946 | $2,528 | $3,514 |
| DL Origination Fee | $46 | $46 | $46 |
| Total | $26,070 | $28,130 | $36,534 |
Graduate
| Cost for | Living with Parents | Living On-Campus | Living Off-Campus |
|---|---|---|---|
| State University Tuition Fees | $8,064 | $8,064 | $8,064 |
| Campus Fees | $2,240 | $2,240 | $2,240 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,106 | $1,106 | $1,080 |
| Food and Housing | $9,824 | $13,310 | $19,684 |
| Transportation | $2,420 | $1,412 | $2,456 |
| Personal/Misc | $2,946 | $2,528 | $3,514 |
| Loan Origination Fee | $162 | $162 | $162 |
| Total | $26,762 | $28,822 | $37,226 |
Undergraduate
| Costs for | Living with Parents | Living On-Campus | Living Off-Campus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fees | $6,084 | $6,084 | $6,084 |
| Campus Fees | $2,162 | $2,162 | $2,162 |
| Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment | $1,080 | $1,080 | $1,080 |
| Food and Housing | $9,464 | $13,126 | $20,950 |
| Transportation | $2,422 | $1,412 | $2,458 |
| Misc. Personal Expenses | $2,876 | $2,468 | $3,430 |
| Loan Origination Fee | $46 | $46 | $46 |
| Total | $24,134 | $26,378 | $36,210 |
Credential
| Cost for | Living with Parents | Living On-Campus | Living Off-Campus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fees | $7,062 | $7,062 | $7,062 |
| Campus Fees | $2,162 | $2,162 | $2,162 |
| Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment | $1,080 | $1,080 | $1,080 |
| Food and Housing | $9,464 | $13,126 | $20,950 |
| Transportation | $2,422 | $1,412 | $2,458 |
| Misc. Personal Expenses | $2,876 | $2,468 | $3,430 |
| Loan Origination Fee | $46 | $46 | $46 |
| Total | $25,112 | $27,356 | $37,188 |
Graduate
| Cost for | Living with Parents | Living On-Campus | Living Off-Campus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fees | $7,608 | $7,608 | $7,608 |
| Campus Fees | $2,162 | $2,162 | $2,162 |
| Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment | $1,080 | $1,080 | $1,080 |
| Food and Housing | $9,464 | $13,126 | $20,950 |
| Transportation | $2,422 | $1,412 | $2,458 |
| Misc. Personal Expenses | $2,876 | $2,468 | $3,430 |
| Loan Origination Fee | $156 | $156 | $156 |
| Total | $25,768 | $28,012 | $37,844 |
Undergraduate
| Costs for | Living with Parents | Living On-Campus | Living Off-Campus |
| Tuition Fees | $5,742 | $5,742 | $5,742 |
| Campus Fees | $2,076 | $2,076 | $2,076 |
| Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment | $1,038 | $1,038 | $1,038 |
| Food and Housing | $8,748 | $11,828 | $19,752 |
| Transportation | $2,302 | $1,342 | $2,334 |
| Misc. Personal Expenses | $2,766 | $2,372 | $3,298 |
| Loan Origination Fee | $44 | $44 | $44 |
| Total | $22,716 | $24,442 | $34,284 |
Credential
| Credential | Living with Parents | Living On-Campus | Living Off-Campus |
| Tuition Fees | $6,660 | $6,660 | $6,660 |
| Campus Fees | $2,076 | $2,076 | $2,076 |
| Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment | $1,038 | $1,038 | $1,038 |
| Food and Housing | $8,748 | $11,828 | $19,752 |
| Transportation | $2,302 | $1,342 | $2,334 |
| Misc. Personal Expenses | $2,766 | $2,372 | $3,298 |
| Loan Origination Fee | $44 | $44 | $44 |
| Total | $23,634 | $25,360 | $35,202 |
Graduate
| Credential | Living with Parents | Living On-Campus | Living Off-Campus |
| Tuition Fees | $7,176 | $7,176 | $7,176 |
| Campus Fees | $2,076 | $2,076 | $2,076 |
| Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment | $1,038 | $1,038 | $1,038 |
| Food and Housing | $8,748 | $11,828 | $19,752 |
| Transportation | $2,302 | $1,342 | $2,334 |
| Misc. Personal Expenses | $2,766 | $2,372 | $3,298 |
| Loan Origination Fee | $147 | $147 | $147 |
| Total | $24,253 | $25,979 | $35,821 |
**Please note that certain Graduate programs may incur and additional per unit cost.
For Informational purposes only: In accordance with California Assembly Bill 990 the Stanislaus State provides the typical market cost of a one-bedroom apartment in the Turlock, CA area.
1 Bedroom: $1,481.00 per month
The Food and Housing expenses included in the off-campus Cost of Attendance represent the typical costs students pay when enrolled at Stanislaus State. Actual costs of room and board will vary. Many students living off-campus have roommates, which decreases their housing costs.
Course fees, if applicable. See the schedule of classes for detailed information on course fees. Graduate Business Professional Fee $321.00 per unit in addition to the above tuition fees. The international and Non-Resident fee is $471.00 per unit in addition to the above tuition fees.
If you feel you may incur additional education-related expenses during the academic year (i.e., dental, medical, optical, childcare, transportation, etc.) you may submit an appeal to increase the cost of attendance. For additional information please visit our Professional Judgement page.
The financial aid application you submit allows the U.S. Department of Education to apply a standard formula to the information you have provided on the application, called an Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The EFC is an index number used to determine your eligibility for federal student financial aid.
When we receive all application materials required for your file, a counselor reviews the application in a process called "need analysis". In need analysis, income and set information from both the student and the parent is reviewed, and the EFC is subtracted from the costs of attendance for one academic year. The remainder is the amount of financial need/eligibility for financial assistance.
Updated: March 20, 2026