Tuition figures for the year are the out of state, tuition numbers that are reported to the National Center for Education Statistics, an information clearinghouse of the US government. Enrollment and student to faculty ratios also come from this source. Per credit hour tuition rates found in the school review information comes from the school’s website and may show a discount from the rate reported by the government.
Rating and Ranking Methodology
Tuition Points
Under $30,000—1 point
Under $27,000—2 points
Under $24,000—3 points
Under $21,000—4 points
Under $18,000—5 points
Under $15,000—6 points
Under $12,000—7 points
Under $9,000—8 points
Student to Faculty Ratio Points
- Above 35-1 point
- Above 30-2 point
- Above 25-3 points
- Above 20-4 points
- Above 15-5 points
- Above 10-6 points
National Recognition
- Top 100-1 point
- Top 40-2 point
- Top 30-3 points
- Top 20-4 points
- Top 10-5 points
- Top 5-6 points
Bonus for special tuition discount for online students
- Has special online discount for tuition-3 points
- Online students charged standard tuition-0 points
#10 – Pepperdine University
Malibu, California
Pepperdine University has a low student to faculty ratio.
Points: 6
Enrollment: 7.826
Tuition: $51,992
Pepperdine University is affiliated with the Churches of Christ and was established in 1937. The school mascot is the Wave. With a student to faculty ratio of 13 to 1, the school offers an online bachelor of science in management and two online master’s degrees. Pepperdine University charges an online, undergraduate tuition rate of $1,685 per credit hour. The school is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission.
#9 – University of La Verne
La Verne, California
The University of La Verne offers a tuition discount for members of the military.
Points: 6
Enrollment: 8,369
Tuition: $41,450
The University of La Verne was established in 1891 and the school mascot is the Leopard. With a student to faculty ratio of 15 to 1, the school offers an online associate, six online bachelor’s, and three online master’s. The University of La Verne charges an online, undergraduate tuition rate of $685 per credit hour, with a discount available for military service members. The school is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission.
#8 – Mount Saint Mary’s University
Los Angeles, California
Mount Saint Mary’s University is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church.
Points: 6
Enrollment: 3,496
Tuition: $39,608
Mount Saint Mary’s University was established in 1925 by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. With a student to faculty ratio of 11 to 1, the school offers five online bachelor’s degrees and an online master of fine arts in creative writing. Mount Saint Mary’s University charges an online, undergraduate tuition rate of $573 per credit hour. The school is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission.
#7 – University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California
The University of Southern California has a low student to faculty ratio.
Points: 7
Enrollment: 43,871
Tuition: $54,259
The University of Southern California is the oldest private research institution of higher learning in the Golden State. With a student to faculty ratio of 9 to 1, the school offers more than thirty master’s degrees and two doctorates online. The University of Southern California charges a regular base, graduate tuition rate of $1,666 per credit hour, but fees vary by program. The school is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission.
#6 – Concordia University Irvine
Irvine, California
Concordia University has a low hourly tuition rate.
Points: 8
Enrollment: 4,299
Tuition: $32,780
Concordia University Irvine is part of the Concordia University system which is affiliated with the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod. The school was established in 1976 to serve the Pacific coast and US Southwest. With a student to faculty ratio of 18 to 1, the school offers six bachelor’s, eleven master’s and one doctoral degree online. Concordia University Irvine offers an online, undergraduate tuition rate of $330 per credit hour. The school is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission.
#5 – Fremont College
Cerritos, California
Fremont College’s school motto is “An Innovator in Professional Education.”
Points: 9
Enrollment: 277
Tuition: $36,625
Fremont College is a for-profit college that was established in 1986. The school traces its history to one of the first business schools founded west of the Mississippi. With a student to faculty ratio of 12 to 1, the school offers eight bachelor’s degree completion programs and a Master of Business Administration online. Fremont College offers an online, undergraduate tuition rate of $400 per quarter credit hour. The school is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission.
#4 – Citrus College
Glendora, California
Citrus College does not charge tuition fees to California residents.
Points: 11
Enrollment: 12,753
Tuition: $5,959
Citrus College was established in 1915 and is the oldest public community college in Los Angeles County, California. The school mascot is the Owl, and the school colors are Blue and White. With a student to faculty ratio of 29 to 1, the school offers seven online associates degree options. Citrus College does not charge tuition to California residents, only enrollment, and incidental fees. The school is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission
#3 – University College at Azusa Pacific University
San Dimas, California
Azusa Pacific University is a private, Evangelical institution of higher learning.
Points: 13
Enrollment: 1,610
Tuition: $15,228
Azusa Pacific University was established in 1899. With a student to faculty ratio of 17 to 1, the school offers two associates degrees, ten bachelor’s degrees, and three master’s degrees online. Azusa Pacific University offers an online, undergraduate tuition rate of $400 per credit hour for lower level classwork and $450 per credit hour for upper-level coursework. The school is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission.
#2 – Brandman University
Irvine, California
Brandman University is part of the Chapman University System.
Points: 14
Enrollment: 7,331
Tuition: $12,300
Brandman University was established in 1958 as part of the Chapman University system. With a student to faculty ratio of 15 to 1, the school offers more than 40 online bachelor’s degrees, more than thirty online master’s degrees and an online doctorate of education. Brandman University offers an online, undergraduate tuition rate of $500 per credit hour. The school is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission.
#1 – West Los Angeles College
Culver City, California
West Los Angeles College tops this list of the most affordable online degrees in Los Angeles, California.
Points: 14
Enrollment: 12,422
Tuition: $7,538
West Los Angeles College was established in 1969, and the school mascot is the Wildcat. It is part of the Los Angeles Community College District. With a student to faculty ratio of 26 to 1, the school offers twenty-five online associates degree options, including anthropology and hospitality. West Los Angeles College offers an online, in-state, undergraduate tuition rate of $46 (not a typo) per credit hour. The school is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission.
