Cost of Attendance
Cost of Attendance (COA) is the estimated cost to attend SJSU during the 9-month academic year (August to May).
While your individual costs may vary, the COA reflects a modest living allowance. Your individual expenses and personal spending styles may not be reflected in our standard COA Student Budget estimates posted below.
Costs include both direct expenses payable to SJSU, such as tuition and fees and on campus housing, and indirect expense, such as personal expenses and transportation. Figures are based on statewide averages data as indicated from the Student Expenses and Resources Survey (SEARS) administered in 2021 – 2022, adjusted for inflation with the 2025 – 2026 CPI.
The off campus food and housing is based on the average amount reported by SJSU students on the 21/22 SEARS survey. The average monthly rate is about $2237/month and assume a roommate.
2025-2026 SJSU Cost of Attendance (Student Budget):
2024-2025 SJSU Cost of Attendance (Student Budget):
2023-2024 SJSU Cost of Attendance (Student Budget):
Students in the following graduate business programs pay an additional Graduate Business Professional Fee of $303 per unit:
- Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.)
- Master of Science in Accountancy
- Master of Science in Finance
Tuition & Other Fees
The CSU makes every effort to keep student costs to a minimum. Fees listed in published schedules or student accounts may need to be increased when public funding is inadequate. Therefore, CSU must reserve the right, even after fees are initially charged or initial fee payments are made, to increase or modify any listed fees.
For updated Tuition & Fees information, please visit the Office of the Bursar website.
All listed fees, other than systemwide mandatory fees, are subject to change without notice, until the date when instruction for a particular semester or quarter has begun. All CSU listed fees should be regarded as estimates that are subject to change upon approval by The Board of Trustees, the Chancellor, or the Presidents, as appropriate. Changes in mandatory systemwide fees will be made in accordance with the requirements of the Working Families Student Fee Transparency and Accountability Act (Sections 66028-66028.6 of the Education Code).
- Note: Additional fees or materials pertaining to a particular course may be required. These fees are determined by the department/college offering the course.
How to Estimate Your Costs
The CSU Cost Calculator is designed to allow high school and college students to estimate cost of attendance and student financial aid eligibility.
AB 990 Disclosure
Per Assembly Bill 990, approved August 7, 2017, all public California colleges are required to provide information about the market cost of one-bedroom apartments in the areas surrounding the campus where students commonly reside.
AB990 and SB467 Information – Housing Costs Near SJSU (as of February 1, 2025):
1 bedroom: $2727
2 bedroom: $3161
2 bedroom – renting own room: $1580
3 bedrooms – renting own room: $1365
4 bedrooms – renting own room: $1118
(Data Source – HUD 2025 Small Area Market Rents within a 5 mile radius of SJSU )
The above housing costs are updated yearly on February 1st. The above average costs are for rent only and do not include the cost of food, utilities, garbage, rental deposits, and other necessary expenses for housing. Most students will share an apartment or house to reduce their expenses.
