Cost of Attendance

Cost of Attendance

The Cost of Attendance (COA) is an estimate of the average total cost for a student to attend Cerritos College for one academic year (Fall and Spring Terms). 

The COA Estimate is made up of Two Types of Cost:

COA includes both educational expenses and basic living cost that students typically incur while enrolled. It includes direct costs; expenses paid directly to the Cerritos College, such as tuition and mandatory fees and indirect costs; estimated expenses not paid to the college, including housing, food, transportation, personal expenses. Your actual cost may vary based on your living situation. 

$ DIRECT COST
  • Enrollment & Mandatory fees
$ INDIRECT COST
  • Housing, food, transportation, books,
    supplies, and personal expenses 

The cost of attendance is not a bill. Actual cost may be higher or lower than the standard budget shown

2025 - 2026 Student Financial Aid Cost of Attendance

Fall & Spring Terms with Parent / Relatives
  Annual Semester
Tuition / Fees 1,364 682
Books / Supplies 1,090 545
Food / Hosing  11,836 5,918
Transportation 1,818 909
Personal / Misc. 4,140 2,070
Total 20,248 10,124
Fall & Spring Terms Off Campus
  Annual Semester
Tuition / Fees 1,364 682
Books / Supplies 1,090 545
Food / Housing 22,752 11,376
Transportation 1,990 995
Personal / Misc. 5,068 2,534
Total 32,264 16,132

Fees based on $46 per unit multiplied by an average of 14 units enrolled each semester for a fulltime student and $19 Student Health Fee and $19 CCSA Fee per semester. Student fees are subject to change based on state budget. 

Summer Term with Parent / Relatives
Tuition / Fees 351
Books / Supplies 363
Food / Housing 3,945
Transportation 606
Personal / Misc.  1,380
Total 6,645
Summer Term Off Campus
Tuition / Fees 351
Books / Supplies 363
Food / Housing 7,584
Transportation 663
Personal / Misc.  1,689
Total 10,650

Fees based on $46 per unit multiplied by an average of 7 units enrolled for summer and $16. Student Health Fee and $13 CCSA Fee. Student fees are subject to change based on state budget. 

*Non-Resident Tuition: Students who are non-residents of California will also be subject to a non-resident tuition fee of $400 per unit ($360 per unit non-resident tuition fee plus $40 per unit capital outlay fee) in addition to the $46 per unit enrollment fee above.

*Fees are subject to state legislative change

Dependent/Child Care Allowance: Reasonable expenses with adequate documentation provided by the student, depending upon age and number of children.

Loan Fees: For student loan borrowers, actual or average loan origination and insurance.

Date: 4/28/25

Important Notes & Assumptions
  • Cost of Attendance (COA) budgets are estimates used to determine financial aid eligibility and are not a bill from the college.

  • Actual expenses will vary based on a student’s living arrangement, enrollment status, program of study, and personal spending choices.

  • COA budgets assume full-time enrollment (12 units per semester) during the Fall and Spring terms unless otherwise noted.

  • Housing and food allowances differ depending on whether a student lives with parents/relatives or off campus.

  • Tuition and fee estimates are based on the current California resident enrollment fee per unit and are subject to change.

  • Books and supplies costs are estimated averages and may vary by program.

  • Transportation and personal expenses are estimated amounts and are not billed by the college.

  • Non-resident students and international students may have additional tuition charges not reflected in the standard COA.

  • Summer term budgets are based on enrollment in summer courses and may differ from Fall and Spring estimates.
  • COA adjustments may be considered through a Cost of Attendance Appeal for documented special circumstances.

2026 - 2027 Cost of Attendance Appeals

If your actual educational expenses are significantly higher than the standard budget used in the Cost of Attendance, you may request a COA Appeal by submitting a Special Circumstance. 

Request COA Appeal