Enrolling in an online college allows students to create a class schedule that works best while saving money. California is home to several very affordable online colleges and universities. Finding the right online college or university is integral to success as an online student.

Below you’ll find out the selection of some of the most affordable online colleges in California. The cost of their tuition has selected these online colleges.

#1. College State University-Northridge

California State University Northridge's logo for top online colleges in California ranking.

California State University, Northridge is one of California’s most affordable online universities. Located in Northridge, California State University, Northridge was founded in 1958. Originally a satellite campus of California State University, Los Angeles, California State University, Northridge has since grown to become its own university, enrolling over 38,800 students.

Students looking for an affordable online university in California should consider enrolling in California State University, Northridge. California State University, Northridge offers students an array of online degrees to choose from. These online degrees include online master’s programs, online bachelor’s, and online certificate programs. California State University, Northridge has designed these online degrees to be completed online in an asynchronous course format. The Western Association of Schools and Colleges has provided California State University-Northridge with accreditation.

Tuition Price: $8,694

#2. San Diego State University

San Diego State University's logo for top online colleges in California ranking.

San Diego State University is a great choice for students who want to enroll in California’s most affordable online universities or colleges. Established in 1897, San Diego State University offers students some of the most affordable degrees in the state. Operating for over 124 years, San Diego State University currently enrolls a students body of over 35,500 students.

Students enrolling at San Diego State University can choose from many affordable online degrees. These online degrees are offered at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Online degrees offered by San Diego State University include online bachelor’s, online master’s, online doctoral programs, and online certificate programs. The Western Association of Schools and Colleges has provided San Diego State University accreditation for its online degrees. Online degrees at San Diego State University are offered in an asynchronous format.

Tuition Price: $14,499

#3. California State University, Chico

California State University Chico's logo for top online colleges in California State University Northridge ranking.

Located in Chico, California, California State University, Chico is a California State University system member. Known for its affordable degrees, California State University-Chico was first established in 1887. Originally known as the Northern Branch State Normal School of California, the school has grown beyond its teacher’s college roots to now enroll over 16,600 students.

California State University, Chico offers several great online degrees for students to choose from. Students can currently choose from about eight different online bachelor’s degrees, a single master’s in nursing degree, and a certificate program. These online degrees are designed to be completed entirely online and are offered in an asynchronous format. By offering these degrees at an affordable tuition rate, California State University, Chico has earned its place among the most affordable online colleges in California.

Tuition Price: $14,483

#4. Fresno Pacific University

Fresno Pacific University's logo for top online colleges in California State University Northridge ranking.

A very affordable online university, Fresno Pacific University is one of California’s best deals in online learning. Located in Fresno, California, Fresno Pacific University is a private Christian university. Established in 1944, Fresno Pacific University originally opened its doors as the Pacific Bible Institute. Since its founding, Fresno Pacific University has grown to enroll a student body of just over 3,000 students.

Fresno Pacific University is a great option for students seeking out an affordable online university in California. Students can choose from many online degrees, including several online bachelor’s degrees and online graduate programs. These programs include master’s degrees as well as a few certificate programs. The Western Association of Schools and Colleges has provided Fresno Pacific University with accreditation for its online degrees., Fresno Pacific University offers its online degrees in an accelerated format that leverages asynchronous courses to offer a more flexible class experience.

Tuition Price: $19,298

#5. William Jessup University

California State University Northridge's logo for top online colleges in California State University Northridge ranking.

William Jessup University is located in Rocklin, California. Established in 1939, William Jessup University was founded as the San Jose Bible College. Since its founding, the school has grown to become a full-fledged private university. Named after the school’s first president, William Jessup University enrolls over 1,700 students and maintains a satellite campus in San Jose, California.

Students who are interested in an affordable online college in California should consider enrolling in William Jessup University. William Jessup University has invested many resources into developing a robust offering of online degrees. These online degrees number about a dozen different programs. Students can choose from undergraduate and graduate degrees, including online bachelor’s, master’s, and certificate programs. The Western Association of Schools and Colleges has provided William Jessup University with accreditation for its online degrees. By offering these programs at an affordable tuition rate, William Jessup University has earned its place among California’s most affordable online universities.

Tuition Price: $22,968

#6. California Baptist University

California Baptist University's logo for top online colleges in California State University Northridge ranking.

California Baptist University is a great choice for students looking for one of California’s most affordable online colleges. Located in Riverside, California Baptist University was first founded in 1950. Operating for over 71 years, California Baptist University was founded by the California Southern Baptist Convention and was originally known as the Californa Baptist College. Today, California Baptist University enrolls a student body of over 11,300 students.

One of California’s most affordable online universities, California Baptist University, offers students several great online degrees to choose from. Students can select from over two dozen online bachelor’s programs, around twenty online master’s, and three online doctorate programs. California Baptist University also offers several certificate programs. Online degrees at California Baptist University are designed with working professionals in mind and utilize an asynchronous course format to allow flexibility. The Western Association of Schools and Colleges has provided California Baptist University with accreditation for its online degrees.

Tuition Price: $23,055

#7. University of La Verne

University of La Verne's logo for top online colleges in California State University Northridge ranking.

One of California’s most affordable online colleges, the University of La Verne, is located in La Verne, California. Established in 1891, the University of La Verne was originally known as Lordsburg College. Over the past 130 years of operation, the University of La Verne has steadily grown to become one of the top private universities in the state. Now, the University of La Verne enrolls a student body of 8,500 students.

The University of La Verne offers students the opportunity to enroll in a great selection of online degrees at a very affordable tuition rate. Students can choose to enroll in eight online undergraduate degrees, including bachelor’s and associate’s programs. The University of La Verne also offers students three different online master’s degrees. These online degrees are made available entirely online and are built with working professionals in mind. Many of these online degrees are offered in an accelerated format to complete their studies more quickly. The Western Association of Schools and Colleges has provided the University of La Verne with accreditation for its online degrees.

Tuition Price: $27,933

#8. Loma Linda University

Loma Linda University's logo for top online colleges in California State University Northridge ranking.

Loma Linda University is one of the most affordable online colleges in California. Founded in 1905, Loma Linda University is located in Loma Linda, California. Established by the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Loma Linda University was originally known as the Loma Linda Sanitarium. Since its founding over 125 years ago, Loma Linda University has grown to enroll a student population of over 3,500 students.

Students at Loma Linda University can choose from some of the most affordable online degrees in California. Loma Linda University has received accreditation for its online degrees from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Students can choose from dozens of online degree programs. These online degree programs include undergraduate and graduate programs like online bachelor’s, online master’s, and online doctoral programs. Students can also enroll in many certificate programs. Loma Linda University offers both entirely online degrees as well as hybrid degree programs. Loma Linda University has earned its place among the most affordable online universities in California by making these degrees available at an affordable tuition rate.

Tuition Price: $31,680

#9. Biola University

Biola University's logo for top online colleges in California State University Northridge ranking.

Established in 1908, Biola University is one of the most affordable online universities and colleges in California. Located in La Mirada, California, Biola University is a private Evangelical university. Originally known as the Bible Institute of Los Angeles, Biola University transformed and grew over more than 113 years to offer students a wide array of higher education opportunities. Today, Biola University enrolls a student body of over 6,100 students.

Biola University offers students many different online degrees to choose from. Students can choose from eight different online bachelor’s degrees and a few dozen different online master’s degrees. These online degrees are offered to students at an affordable tuition rate. The Western Association of Schools and Colleges has provided Biola University with accreditation for its online degree programs. Biola University has designed these online degrees to be flexible through the use of an asynchronous course format. Online degrees at Biola University are also offered in an accelerated format to help students complete their degrees much more quickly.

Tuition Price: $33,331

#10. National University

National University's logo for top online colleges in California State University Northridge ranking.

Located in La Jolla, California, National University is a private university. One of the most affordable online universities in California, National University was first founded in 1971. Operating for over fifty years, National University has become well-regarded for the quality and scope of its online degree programs. Currently, National University enrolls a student body of over 23,9000 students.

National University is an excellent choice for students looking for one of California’s most affordable online universities. Students at National University can enroll in a huge selection of online degrees. National University offers students over 75 different online degrees to choose from. These online degrees include online bachelor’s, online master’s, and online doctoral programs. Students can also enroll in several online certificate programs offered by the school. These online degrees are made available in an asynchronous format and an accelerated format. The Western Association of Schools and Colleges has provided National University with accreditation for its online degrees.

Tuition Price: $21,385

Conclusion

Veterans preparing for their new civilian life should consider earning a degree online. Many online colleges offer veterans discounted tuition rates as well as additional support services. We hope this list of the most affordable online colleges for veterans is helpful to any veterans preparing for the next phase of their lives.

What Degrees Are Available Online?

Online colleges and universities offer nearly the same breadth of degrees to students online as they do on-campus. That means students can enroll in all types of degrees online. Undergraduate and graduate programs are among the typical offerings made available to students. Many online colleges and universities also offer students the opportunity for degree completion and certification programs.

Most types of degrees are made available to students online. Options for programs to become more limited as you move towards doctoral programs, but even those have online options. One particular degree option that is only offered online is the accelerated degree. Accelerated degrees are online degree programs offered in a condensed format that is designed to be completed at a much quicker pace. This is a great option for students who want to earn their degree fast.

How Is An Online Degree in California Cheaper?

One of the top benefits of online learning is that it can save you money. Online degrees tend to be much cheaper than their on-campus counterpart. Online colleges and universities can save students money by offering students access to the in-state tuition rate regardless of their location.

Another way that online colleges and universities can save students money is by offering an entirely separate tuition rate for online education. By eliminating a lot of the overhead that comes with offering an on-campus degree, colleges and universities can save money, allowing them to offer these online degrees to students at a cheaper rate.

Online degrees also tend to incur less additional costs to students. Housing and other campus-related costs can be avoided. And since most online degrees are offered in an accelerated format, students can earn their degree more quickly – allowing them to get back to focusing on their careers.

Why Is Attending an Accredited Online University Important?

One of the most crucial aspects of choosing an online college or university is to ensure that you select an institution that has received accreditation. Accreditation comes in two forms: institutional accreditation and program accreditation.

All of the colleges and universities that are featured on OnlineCollegeWiz have received institutional accreditation. Institutional accreditation is typically offered by one governing body per region of the United States. For example, the South’s accreditation body is the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The institutional accreditation board ensures that the entire college and all of its programs meet a base level of quality.

Program accreditation is typically offered to particular degree programs at a given school. For example, many business degrees are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs. This group has created a set of standards that all business degrees must meet to receive accreditation. When considering a particular degree, it’s important to find out if that degree has an organization providing accreditation for that type of degree and make sure the program you choose has received that accreditation.

Accreditation ensures that an online college, university, or particular online degree program meets a certain set of standards designed to ensure the quality of the degree. Think of accreditation as a quality seal of approval. Earning a degree from an accredited institution ensures that you will receive the knowledge you need to succeed in the field. It will also ensure that potential employers will trust the value of the degree you hold.

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