Across the public higher education landscape in California, community colleges are by far the cheapest option, offering per-unit fees that cost a fraction of a traditional four-year degree. Within four-year public university systems, the California State University campuses generally maintain the lowest standard baseline tuition and mandatory fee rates for in-state residents, hovering around 6,000 to 7,500 dollars annually. Specialized small institutions like the California State Maritime Academy also feature unique operational cost models for state residents.