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 

Understanding Your Costs

Everyone’s college costs are different. While the Cost of Attendance is based on average student expenses, your actual costs may be higher or lower depending on your living situation and personal circumstances. Review the information below to see how your situation may impact your expenses, use the Net Price Calculator to estimate your out-of-pocket costs, and determine if you may need to request a Cost of Attendance Appeal.

Who Should Review COA?

You should review your Cost of 
Attendance if you:

  • Live off campus
  • Have childcare costs
  • Have transportation expenses
  • Face special financial circumstances
Net Price Calculator

Use our Net Price Calculator to estimate
your actual out-of-pocket to cost to 
attend Cerritos College after grants,
scholarships, and other financial aid. 

Calculate Your net Price

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

2025 - 2026 Student Financial Aid Cost of Attendance

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

The tables below show the estimated average cost to attend Cerritos College for the academic year based on your living situation.

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 / Hosing  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 Parents / Relatives
Tuition / Fees 351
Books / Supplies 363
Food / Hosing  3,945
Transportation 606
Personal / Misc. 1,380
Total 6,645
Summer Term Off Campus
Tuition / Fees 351
Books / Supplies 363
Food / Hosing  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

Additional Information

These budgets show the typical cost of attending Cerritos College the Cost of Attendance is used to determine financial aid eligibility for the academic year. Your actual costs may be higher or lower depending on where you live and how many units you take. Review the Important Notes and Assumptions below for more information.

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.