“Bachelor’s degree holders earn a median of $2.8 million during their career, 75% more than if they only hold a high school diploma. In addition to having higher earnings and lower rates of unemployment, college graduates are more likely to own a home and less likely to be in poverty or need social services.” — Alisia Ruble, “Is College Worth it?” Aug. 8, 2023

College has a reputation for being expensive, and though it is an investment with long-term returns, it does not hurt any less when writing that check up front. Here are strategies and tips that may help you pay less. 

For reference, under the UC Blue and Gold Plan, most families making less than $100,000 will get enough grants and scholarships to cover tuition, according to the website.

Students may still incur costs for fees, room and board. The average UCSB student is paying $16,874 per year after financial aid, according to the College Board. In addition, 73% graduate in four years, 86% in six. But more years equal more cost and Cal Grants are only available for four years. Be careful.

1. City College — The California College Promise Program applies to residents or AB 540 students who are first-time college students enrolling full-time (some districts like LA have expanded access to returning students, too).

It is a tuition waiver. You may still have fees, it depends on the college and your financial situation. But if you can live at home with free or reduced rent, that may save you money until you transfer to complete a Bachelor’s degree.

Potential downside: Many City College students never complete the transfer process despite good intentions. Statewide, 75% claim they want a bachelor’s when they start, only 28% make the transfer within six years. (Public Policy Institute of California, February 2026)



2. Cal State campuses — These are a pretty darn good deal for most people. Before required fees, the entire year costs $6,838. Madatory fees vary by campus and bump the actual cost to $8,000-$9,500, depending on the campus. This does not include room and board.

The typical out of pocket cost runs $5,000 to $8,000.

If family income is under $70,000 there are no tuition fees, according to the CSU website. 64% graduate debt free. The catch: only 36% of all CSU students graduate in four years. That jumps to 62% in six years. 


3. Western University Exchange (WUE) — If you are willing to consider out-of-state schools, there are some excellent deals out there through WUE.

WUE is a collection of roughly 170 two- and four-year colleges that discount their out-of-state tuition for students from the Western United States.

From Alaska to New Mexico and up to North Dakota, there are schools that would love to have some California students. Some even offer merit aid on top of WUE savings (University Nevada, Reno, for example).

If you are considering an impacted major at a California school, this may increase your options and can cost less than the UCs, even as an out-of-state student. Possible deal breaker: not all majors are covered for WUE at every school. Check before applying.



4. Dual enrollment, Advanced Placement, and International Baccalaureate credits — If your chosen college offers credits for these classes, it may help you graduate early (or take a semester abroad before you enter the “real world”).

The challenge: Every school sets its own policy on what it will accept and what kind of credit it will give you. What works at one school may get you nothing at another. But it does demonstrate the rigor of the curriculum, which is an admission consideration. 



5. Private colleges — Yes, those schools with the $70,000-plus price tags can actually be competitive with the UCs after financial aid. University of San Francisco has a sticker price of $85,000. One of my clients will be attending for $5,000 next year.

The University of Redlands is cheaper for my son than the UCs would have been, and he prefers the smaller environment where the professors know him. They also have a four-year graduation guarantee.

Saint Mary’s of California is another good option if you are looking for cheaper options. Occidental College is often in the ballpark of a UC, according to my clients. There are even more out of state.

The bad news: the more selective the college, the less likely it is to offer merit aid. A few elite schools have no loan policies, but those schools often have single-digit admit rates. A reach school for any student regardless of GPA or test scores. 

Tip: I like to compare the average debt at graduation and the average salary 10 years later across the colleges students are considering. You may be willing to pay a little more up front if the salary difference will more than cover it in the long run.

If you are looking to graduate with minimal debt, start exploring these options and check out my previous articles for more financial aid information.

I could write a monthly column on all things financial aid alone; there is a lot that most people are unaware of.

In the meantime, if you have a student who wants to reduce application stress, reach out. I have a practical workshop for seniors on essay writing coming up in July, August and September. Start early for best results.

Email HLMcCordDuncan@gmail.com.