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.

How To Request for Cost of Attendance Appeal:


To request a Cost of Attendance Appeal, visit our Student Forms page for instructions on creating a Student Forms account. After creating an account, from the dashboard page, click on Manage Requests and select Professional Judgment: Special Circumstance – COA Appeal for the 2025 – 2026 academic year.

The Cost of Attendance includes average amounts for standard educational expenses incurred by students who attend SJSU during the academic year (9 months from August to May).  These averages are provided to us by the California Student Aid Commission.

Students do have an opportunity to request an increase in their Cost of Attendance for one of the following reasons:

  • Additional course-related expenses, over the published costs for books/supplies. We can consider a computer expense once every career (4 years). Study Abroad costs can also be considered. Other supplies for major (must be declared) can also be considered.
  • Dependent care expenses incurred by the student for their dependents while the parent student is attending class. Expenses needed to be documented with receipts and/or written statements by the child care provider.
  • Medical/dental expenses not covered by insurance such as eyeglasses, contact lenses, dental procedures, or prescription medications
  • Automobile expenses (repair, insurance, maintenance) for students that commute to campus. Insurance must be in the student's name to be considered. No Estimated costs for repairs. Purchase or Lease costs cannot be considered. We can only consider auto expenses for students who commute to campus. No expenses for students who enrolled in SJSU Online or who do not attend classes on SJSU main campus will be considered
  • Receipts – Proof of purchase with student’s name - will need to be provided for any increase to be considered.

If a budget increase is approved, it is unlikely that it will be covered by any additional grant funding. You would need to apply for the additional loan program, typically: Direct Parent PLUS loans, Direct GRAD PLUS loans, or alternative student loan funding. The increase of the loan will be split up over the 2 semesters (Fall/Spring).

**There is a maximum increase of $10,000 per academic year that can be considered combined in all categories**

 

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.