Tuition and Fees
As tuition has steadily increased at many colleges and universities around the country, California Baptist University has chosen to hold the line as much as possible. By keeping tuition costs affordable while enabling students to secure financial aid, we've remained within reach of many students who thought larger, taxpayer-subsidized public schools were their only option. As a result, more and more students are able to enjoy the personal and purposeful education CBU delivers.
Estimated Annual Expenses (2020–2021) — Living On Campus
| Tuition (13–18 units) | $33,930 |
| Fees | $2,410 |
| Housing and Meal Plan* | $10,300 |
| Estimated Annual Cost to Attend | $46,640 |
*This is the cost for shared-occupancy housing and includes the minimum required meal
plan for residential freshmen students (125 swipes and $250 dining dollars) per semester.
Other meal plan options are available. Housing rates may vary by location.
This estimated annual expense does not include program or course-specific fees. See below for additional detailed tuition and fee information.
Remember that you also need to budget for personal expenses, books and supplies, and transportation.
Estimated Undergraduate Traditional Costs Per Semester (2020–2021 Academic Year)
Traditional Student Tuition
| Tuition (per semester; 13–18 units) | $16,965 |
| Tuition (per unit) | $1,305 |
On-Campus Housing
| Housing Reservation Fee | $100 |
| Shared Occupancy (per semester) | $3,355 - $3,550 |
| Private Occupancy (per semester) | $5,035 - $5,325 |
Meal Plans (Per Semester)
| A - 40 meals; 100 Dining Dollars (commuters only) | $570 |
| B - 60 meals; 150 Dining Dollars (commuters only) | $865 |
| C - 85 meals; 150 Dining Dollars (commuters only) | $1,155 |
| D - 100 meals; 250 Dining Dollars (Main Campus Apt Minimum) | $1,440 |
| E - 125 meals; 250 Dining Dollars (Freshman Housing Minimum) | $1,730 |
| F - 150 meals; 250 Dining Dollars | $1,995 |
| G - 170 meals; 300 Dining Dollars | $2,245 |
| H - 190 meals; 350 Dining Dollars | $2,485 |
| I - 215 meals; 350 Dining Dollars | $2,710 |
| J - 235 meals; 400 Dining Dollars | $2,945 |
| K - 255 meals; 450 Dining Dollars | $3,165 |
| L - 280 meals; 450 Dining Dollars | $3,405 |
Estimated Books and Supplies
$600–$1,000
(Varies per semester/major)
Health Insurance
$1,016
(Per semester; required unless student is already covered)
Mandatory Fees (Per Semester)
| General fee: 6 units or more | $750 |
| General fee: 5 units or less | $180 |
| New student fee: Fall (first semester only) | $310 |
| New student fee: Spring (first semester only) | $160 |
Academic Program Fees
(Per semester; applicable based on major; in addition to tuition)
| Architecture | $1,350 |
| Computer Science | $640 |
| Construction Management | $640 |
| Engineering | $1,480 |
| Journalism and New Media | $130 |
| Nursing | $1,675 |
| Nutrition and Food Sciences major | $420 |
| Nutrition and Food Sciences minor | $235 |
| Pre-engineering | $640 |
Academic Course Fees
(Per semester, applicable based on course registration; in addition to tuition)
| Art lab fee | $115 |
| Aviation lab fees | $160–$21,505 |
| Interior design studio fee | $500 |
| Music private instruction | $340 (1 lesson/week) $680 (2 lessons/week) |
| Music laptop fee (Music majors and minors only) | $2,950 |
| Music uniform fee | $275 (Concert Band) $500-$600 (Male Chorale, New Song, University Choir & Orchestra) |
| Production design studio fee | $500 |
| Science lab fees | $210 (per lab) |
| Theater lab fees | $65 (THE113) $90 (THE313) |
This is not a comprehensive list. Additional fees may apply. The university reserves the right,
with or without notice, to change tuition and fees when necessary.
An updated list of undergraduate tuition and fees for the 2020–2021 academic year is available here.