Cost of Attendance
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 (2025–2026) — Living On Campus
| Expense | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition (13-18 units) | $40,638 |
| Fees | $2,460 |
| Housing and Meal Plan * | $12,668 |
| Estimated Annual Cost to Attend | $55,766 |
*This is the cost for shared-occupancy housing and includes the minimum required meal plan for residential freshmen students (115 swipes and $350 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 (2025–2026 Academic Year)
Traditional Student Tuition
| Tuition (per semester; 13-18 units) | $20,319 |
| Tuition (per unit) | $1,563 |
On-Campus Housing
| Housing Reservation Fee | $100 |
| Shared Occupancy (per semester) | $4,040 - $4,280 |
| Private Occupancy (per semester) | $6,063 - $6,417 |
Meal Plans (Per Semester)
| A - 35 meals; 150 Dining Dollars (commuters only) | $719 |
| B - 50 meals; 250 Dining Dollars (commuters only) | $1,103 |
| C - 75 meals; 250 Dining Dollars (commuters only) | $1,475 |
| D - 90 meals; 350 Dining Dollars (Main Campus Apt Minimum) | $1,843 |
| E - 115 meals; 350 Dining Dollars (Freshman Housing Minimum) | $2,205 |
| F - 140 meals; 350 Dining Dollars | $2,546 |
| G - 160 meals; 400 Dining Dollars | $2,861 |
| H - 180 meals; 450 Dining Dollars | $3,176 |
| I - 205 meals; 450 Dining Dollars | $3,449 |
| J - 225 meals; 500 Dining Dollars | $3,759 |
| K - 245 meals; 550 Dining Dollars | $4,037 |
| L - 270 meals; 550 Dining Dollars | $4,347 |
Estimated Books and Supplies
$600 - $1,000 (varies per semester/major)
Health Insurance
$1,013 (Per semester; students need to "Opt-In" for coverage)
Mandatory Fees (Per Semester)
| General Fee: 6 units or more | $775 |
| General Fee: 5 units or less | $255 |
| New Student Fee: Fall (first semester only) | $310 |
| New Student Fee: Spring (first semester only) | $160 |
| Student Services Fee: Residents with 6 units or more | $300 |
| Student Services Fee: Commuters with 6 units or more | $280 |
Academic Program Fees
(Per semester; applicable based on major; in addition to tuition)
| Architecture | $1,500 |
| Commercial Music | $325 |
| Computer Science Engineering | $1,150 |
| Construction Management | $1,150 |
| Engineering | $1,150 |
| Journalism | $130 |
| Music | $200 |
| Nursing | $2,075 |
| Nutrition and Food Sciences (major) | $435 |
| Nutrition (minor) | $242 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $260 |
Academic Course Fees
(Per semester, applicable based on course registration; in addition to tuition)
| Art lab fee | $100-$200 |
| Aviation lab fees | $100 - $23,365 |
| Interior design studio fee | $500 |
| Music private instruction | $380 (1 lesson/week) $760 (2 lessons/week) |
| Music uniform fee (per year) |
$75 (Jazz Ensemble) |
| Science lab fees | $210 (per lab) |
| Theater lab fees | $75 (THE111) $90 (THE113, 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 2025–2026 academic year is available here.