UCLA Tuition 2026: Costs, Fees & Aid Guide

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🎓 UCLA tuition fees 2026

UCLA Tuition 2026: Costs, Fees, In-State & Out-of-State Aid Guide

UCLA tuition is one of the most searched University of California cost topics because the price changes sharply by residency. California residents pay a lower tuition rate, while nonresident students pay an additional nonresident supplemental tuition charge.

For 2026 planning, UCLA undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees are roughly $16,800 per year for California residents. Nonresident students should plan for roughly $54,000–$55,000 in tuition and fees before housing, food, books, transportation, personal expenses, health insurance, and aid.

This guide covers UCLA tuition fees in-state, UCLA tuition fees out-of-state, tuition per semester, room and board, total cost of attendance, UC grants, Cal Grant, scholarships, BruinBill, payment plans, billing contacts, and the Westwood living-cost factors students often miss.

💰 Cost table 🔎 Popular queries 💳 Payment steps
About $16,800 resident

California resident undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees planning figure.

About $54k–$55k nonresident

Nonresident tuition and fees after adding nonresident supplemental tuition.

About $37k–$39k billed resident

Resident tuition, fees, housing and food before financial aid.

Residency matters

California residency can make UCLA far cheaper before aid than the nonresident route.

UCLA tuition guide quick navigation

Use this page to answer the exact cost question you have: resident tuition, nonresident tuition, room and board, total cost, aid, payment, or billing help.

💰 UCLA tuition and fees 🔎 Popular searches answered 🏛️ In-state vs out-of-state 🏡 Housing and LA living costs 🎁 Financial aid and scholarships 🧮 Net price calculator 💳 BruinBill and payment ☎️ Contacts and map

UCLA tuition and fees 2026: full undergraduate cost breakdown

UCLA’s listed tuition is only one part of the bill. Students should also plan for mandatory fees, housing, meals, books, transportation, personal expenses, and health insurance if they do not waive UC SHIP with qualifying coverage.

These are latest-available planning estimates for a full-time undergraduate student. UCLA and the UC system may update final 2026–27 rates, so verify the exact figures with UCLA before publishing or paying.

UCLA undergraduate cost planning figures
Cost item California resident estimate Nonresident estimate What students should know
Tuition and mandatory fees About $16,800/year About $54,000–$55,000/year Nonresidents pay additional nonresident supplemental tuition on top of resident tuition and fees.
Nonresident supplemental tuition $0 About $37,600/year This is the major difference between resident and out-of-state UCLA cost.
Housing and meals About $20,000–$22,000 About $20,000–$22,000 Actual cost depends on residence hall, meal plan, apartment choice, and living style.
Billed cost planning total About $37,000–$39,000 About $75,000–$77,000 Tuition, fees, housing, and meals before aid, books, travel, and personal expenses.
Books and supplies About $1,300–$1,800 About $1,300–$1,800 Science, engineering, lab, art, and design courses may cost more.
Transportation About $800–$1,500+ Often higher Out-of-state students should budget for flights, move-in, breaks, storage, and local transit.
Personal expenses About $2,000–$3,500+ About $2,000–$3,500+ Phone, laundry, clothing, daily spending, emergencies, and Los Angeles living costs.
Health insurance / UC SHIP Varies; may be waived if eligible Varies; may be waived if eligible Students with qualifying coverage may be able to waive UC SHIP by the deadline.
Total cost of attendance Roughly $44,000–$47,000 Roughly $82,000–$85,000 Use this full range for family planning before grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study.
Source and update note: Use these as latest-available UCLA planning figures. Before final publication, update the article with UCLA’s final 2026–27 tuition, nonresident supplemental tuition, campus fees, housing, food, UC SHIP, and cost-of-attendance numbers if they change.
Real UCLA cost = estimated cost of attendance − UC grants − Cal Grant/Middle Class Scholarship − UCLA scholarships − outside scholarships + remaining family/student responsibility

UCLA in-state vs out-of-state tuition: residency is the biggest cost difference

UCLA is a public University of California campus, so California residency matters a lot. California residents generally pay lower tuition and fees, while nonresident students pay nonresident supplemental tuition.

This makes UCLA very different from private universities, where in-state and out-of-state tuition are usually the same.

How residency affects UCLA undergraduate cost
Search intent Direct answer What actually changes final cost?
UCLA tuition fees in-state California resident rate, roughly $16,800 tuition and fees for planning. Housing, meals, UC SHIP, grants, Cal Grant, Middle Class Scholarship, and family income.
UCLA tuition fees out-of-state Nonresident rate, roughly $54,000–$55,000 tuition and fees for planning. Nonresident supplemental tuition, travel, aid limits, housing, and personal expenses.
UCLA international tuition Usually closer to nonresident cost planning. Visa costs, insurance, exchange rates, flights, and fewer aid options in many cases.
Practical answer: UCLA can be a strong value for California residents, but nonresident students should compare net price carefully because the nonresident supplemental tuition makes the total cost much higher.

UCLA housing, meals and Los Angeles living costs

UCLA’s Westwood location is a major advantage, but Los Angeles living costs can surprise families. Housing, meals, transportation, and personal expenses can be a large part of the total budget.

Students should compare on-campus housing, university apartments, off-campus rent, commuting from home, meal plans, transit, parking, and lease rules before deciding.

Living in UCLA housing

UCLA housing can simplify the first-year experience because billing, location, meals, and campus access are easier to manage.

The tradeoff is cost. Housing and meals can add roughly $20,000–$22,000 or more depending on the plan.

Off-campus or commuting

Off-campus living can save money only if rent, utilities, food, parking, transportation, deposits, furniture, and lease length are controlled.

Commuting from home may reduce housing cost, but it can increase transportation time and daily stress.

Los Angeles budget tip: Do not compare only dorm price versus rent. Compare total monthly cost: rent, utilities, groceries, transit, parking, gas, laundry, internet, furniture, deposits, and commute time.

UCLA financial aid and scholarships: how students reduce the real cost

UCLA’s sticker cost can look very different from the final cost after grants, scholarships, work-study, loans, and family contribution.

Aid depends on residency, FAFSA or California Dream Act Application results, family income, assets, household size, housing choice, scholarship eligibility, and deadlines.

UCLA aid topics students should understand
Aid topic Meaning What students should do
FAFSA Main federal aid application for eligible U.S. citizens and eligible noncitizens. Submit early and make sure UCLA receives the correct information.
California Dream Act Application State aid application route for certain eligible undocumented or non-FAFSA students in California. Check eligibility and submit by the correct California deadline.
Cal Grant California state grant aid for eligible students. Watch GPA verification, income rules, residency rules, and state deadlines.
Middle Class Scholarship California program that may help eligible middle-income families. Check current California Student Aid Commission rules and award timing.
UC grants and UCLA scholarships Institutional aid that may reduce the student’s net cost. Review UCLA financial aid notices, scholarship portals, and department opportunities.
Outside scholarships Awards from employers, nonprofits, local groups, or competitions. Report awards to UCLA and ask how they affect the aid package.
Loans and work-study Loans must be repaid; work-study or campus jobs can help with expenses. Borrow only after comparing grants, scholarships, housing choices, and payment plans.

Common UCLA financial aid documents

Requirements vary by student type and year. Missing forms can delay the real net price and make BruinBill look higher than expected.

FAFSA California Dream Act Application Cal Grant info Student tax records Parent tax records Scholarship letters Verification documents Special circumstance proof
FAFSA

Eligible U.S. students should use the official FAFSA to apply for federal student aid.

California aid

California students should also check California Student Aid Commission resources for Cal Grant and state aid programs.

UCLA Net Price Calculator: estimate tuition after aid before deciding

The Net Price Calculator helps families estimate what UCLA may cost after grants and scholarships.

It is especially useful because the difference between California resident and nonresident cost is large. A family should compare net price after aid, not only the headline tuition number.

Use UCLA’s official calculator Start with UCLA or UC official cost and aid tools instead of random third-party estimates.
Enter accurate residency information California residency status can change the estimate dramatically, so do not guess.
Use real family numbers Enter income, assets, household size, parent information, student income, and housing plans accurately.
Focus on net price The key number is what the family may still need to pay after grants and scholarships.
Compare housing choices Run a separate budget for residence hall, apartment, off-campus lease, and commuting from home if possible.
Ask about changed finances If family income changed, contact UCLA financial aid about special circumstances or review options.
Parent tip: For California residents, UCLA may look very different after grants and state aid. For nonresidents, compare aid and debt carefully because nonresident supplemental tuition is a major cost.

How to pay UCLA tuition: BruinBill, payment plan and billing checklist

UCLA tuition is usually paid through BruinBill, UCLA’s official student billing system. Students should review BruinBill line by line before paying.

Aid, scholarships, housing, meal plans, UC SHIP, previous balances, and payment plan enrollment can change the amount due.

Open BruinBill Start from UCLA’s official student billing resources and review the current term balance.
Set up parent or third-party access If a parent or sponsor will pay, the student may need to grant payer access before the payer can view or submit payment.
Review every charge Check tuition, campus fees, housing, meal plan, course charges, UC SHIP, previous balance, and payment credits.
Confirm aid credits Make sure grants, scholarships, loans, Cal Grant, Middle Class Scholarship, and outside awards appear correctly before paying the full balance.
Check UC SHIP waiver status If the student has qualifying insurance and plans to waive UC SHIP, confirm the waiver was approved before assuming the charge is removed.
Check payment plan options A payment plan may spread the balance, but it can have setup fees, installment deadlines, and enrollment windows.
Save confirmation Keep receipts, confirmation numbers, screenshots, bank proof, and scholarship records.

Payment mistakes that create stress

  • Paying before aid posts: The balance may change after grants, loans, or scholarships appear.
  • Missing payer access: Parents may not be able to pay until the student grants access.
  • Ignoring UC SHIP: A missed waiver deadline can leave a large health insurance charge on the bill.
  • Forgetting the quarter system: UCLA billing may not feel like a simple two-semester schedule.
  • Waiting until the due date: Bank transfers and payment processors may not post instantly.

UCLA billing deadlines, late payment risk and account holds

UCLA bills are tied to academic terms and university deadlines. Due dates can vary by term, housing status, financial aid posting, and registration changes.

A missed balance can create late fees, registration issues, housing stress, transcript problems, or account holds.

Billing risks and practical actions
Issue Why it matters What to do
Fall term bill Often the first major student account balance of the year. Check tuition, housing, meal plan, UC SHIP, and aid credits early.
Winter or spring bill May include different charges, aid timing, or previous balances. Review each term separately instead of assuming it matches fall.
Scholarship delay Outside scholarships may take time to post to BruinBill. Send award details and check processing status early.
Loan delay Loans may not disburse if requirements are incomplete. Check promissory notes, entrance counseling, and aid tasks.
UC SHIP waiver issue Missing the waiver deadline can affect the balance due. Submit and confirm waiver approval before the deadline.
Unpaid balance Can lead to late fees or student account holds. Contact UCLA Student Accounts before the deadline if payment is delayed.
Practical warning: If the payment will be late, contact UCLA before the deadline. Waiting silently usually makes the account problem harder to fix.

UCLA refunds, withdrawal and dropping classes

Tuition and aid can change if a student drops units, withdraws, changes housing, changes meal plan, changes residency status, or has aid adjusted.

Refund rules are usually tied to official dates. Students should check the academic calendar, refund schedule, financial aid impact, and housing contract rules before making changes.

Before dropping units

Ask whether the change affects full-time status, financial aid, housing eligibility, visa status, or academic progress.

Before withdrawing

Ask how tuition, fees, housing, meal plan, loans, grants, and BruinBill balance will change.

Before changing housing

Check contract rules, cancellation deadlines, meal plan changes, and refund impact.

Before borrowing more

Ask Financial Aid about grants, scholarships, work options, payment plans, and special circumstances first.

UCLA tuition contacts, address and map

Billing and financial aid are connected, but they are not always handled by the same office. Contact the correct office to avoid delays.

UCLA Student Accounts / BruinBill

Best for tuition bills, BruinBill balance, payment methods, payment plan questions, refunds, holds, and billing deadlines.

Official site: UCLA Student Accounts

Related billing: BruinBill information

Campus: UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095

UCLA Financial Aid and Scholarships

Best for FAFSA, California Dream Act Application, grants, scholarships, loans, work-study, verification, and special circumstances.

Official site: financialaid.ucla.edu

Useful topic: Aid awards, documents, deadlines, and cost of attendance.

Campus: UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095

Before contacting UCLA: Have the student name, UCLA ID if assigned, term, residency status, bill screenshot, aid offer, scholarship letter, payment confirmation, UC SHIP waiver status, and parent access details if needed.

UCLA campus map

Use this map for general UCLA campus location context. Confirm office hours, appointment rules, and exact office location before visiting.

Student and parent checklist before paying UCLA tuition

Confirm residency status California resident and nonresident tuition are very different, so confirm classification early.
Use full cost, not tuition only Add fees, housing, meals, books, transportation, personal expenses, and health insurance if applicable.
Run the Net Price Calculator Estimate the family cost after grants and scholarships.
Complete aid applications early FAFSA or California Dream Act Application, Cal Grant requirements, and verification tasks can affect aid timing.
Compare aid offer with BruinBill Make sure grants, scholarships, loans, housing, meal plan, and UC SHIP charges appear correctly.
Ask before borrowing Compare grants, scholarships, work options, payment plans, housing choices, and family budget before taking extra loans.

FAQs about UCLA tuition fees 2026

How much is UCLA tuition in 2026?

For 2026 planning, UCLA tuition and mandatory fees are roughly $16,800 per year for California residents and roughly $54,000–$55,000 for nonresidents before living costs and aid.

What are UCLA tuition fees in-state?

In-state means California resident tuition. UCLA resident tuition and mandatory fees are roughly $16,800 per year for planning before housing, food, books, transportation, and personal expenses.

What are UCLA tuition fees out-of-state?

Out-of-state students pay nonresident supplemental tuition. For planning, UCLA nonresident tuition and fees may be roughly $54,000–$55,000 per year before living costs.

What is UCLA tuition with room and board?

Tuition, fees, housing, and food may total roughly $37,000–$39,000 for California residents and roughly $75,000–$77,000 for nonresidents before other expenses and aid.

What is UCLA total cost of attendance?

UCLA’s total cost of attendance can be roughly $44,000–$47,000 for California residents and roughly $82,000–$85,000 for nonresidents before financial aid.

How much is UCLA tuition per quarter?

UCLA uses the quarter system. A rough resident tuition-and-fee estimate is about one-third of the annual tuition and fees per academic quarter, but actual BruinBill charges can vary by term.

Can UCLA be cheaper after aid?

Yes. Grants, scholarships, Cal Grant, Middle Class Scholarship, UC grants, federal aid, work-study, and outside scholarships may reduce the actual family cost.

Does UCLA offer merit scholarships?

UCLA may offer scholarships through admissions, departments, donors, or special programs, but students should not assume scholarship funding will cover the full cost. The actual aid offer matters most.

Can UCLA tuition be paid monthly?

UCLA may offer payment plan options through official billing resources. Students should check plan fees, enrollment deadlines, installment dates, and whether aid has posted.

Is UCLA worth the out-of-state cost?

It depends on net price after aid, major, career goals, family borrowing, California fit, and alternative offers. Nonresidents should compare UCLA with in-state public universities and scholarship offers.

Bottom line: UCLA tuition for 2026 planning should be understood by residency. California resident tuition and fees are roughly $16,800 per year, while nonresident tuition and fees may be roughly $54,000–$55,000 before housing and other expenses. The full estimated cost can reach roughly $44,000–$47,000 for residents and $82,000–$85,000 for nonresidents before aid, so the most important number is the net price after grants, scholarships, residency, housing choice, and payment planning.

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