College costs in California extend far beyond tuition, and a new video takes a closer look at what students are really paying in 2026. Using official data from the University of California, California State University and the U.S. Census Bureau, we break down the four biggest expenses facing students today: tuition and fees, housing, food and transportation.
The numbers reveal a striking reality. For many California students, housing has become the single largest cost of attending college, often outpacing tuition itself. The video explores how expenses vary across the state, comparing costs in different regions and showing how everyday necessities such as rent, groceries and commuting can dramatically affect the overall price of earning a degree.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: California college costs rise as housing outpaces tuition
