UCLA Tuition 2014-2015
UC systemwide tuition for California residents was $12,192 for the 2014-2015 academic year. Non-residents paid $35,070 including Nonresident Supplemental Tuition. Campus-based fees averaged $1,125 across UC.
Resident Tuition
$12,192
Non-Resident Tuition
$35,070
Campus Fees (UC average)
$1,125
What changed in 2014-2015
A frozen year ends with a 5%-a-year plan and revolt
A fourth straight flat year: resident tuition $11,160, Nonresident Supplemental Tuition $22,878. Total resident charges rose 0.7 percent, driven by campus-based fees hitting $1,125. The year is remembered for what the Regents did in November.
Arguing the state's 4 percent base adjustment amounted to only about 1.7 percent of UC's core funds for educating students, UC brought forward a long-term stability plan for tuition and financial aid. On November 20, 2014 the Board approved it 14-7. It authorized 5 percent annual increases in tuition and the Student Services Fee, and 5 percent annual nonresident increases, for 2015-16 through 2019-20, unless the state delivered at least 4 percent annual base increases. Published projections showed resident mandatory charges reaching $15,564 by 2019-20.
More than 300 students protested at the meeting. At UCLA, protesters forced cancellation of the Beat 'SC bonfire, and on December 2 the undergraduate student government passed a vote of no confidence in the UC president and the Regents, 9-4.
2014-2015 tuition in 2025 dollars
Comparing tuition across decades only works once inflation is stripped out. Adjusted with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index, the $12,192 a California resident paid in 2014-2015 is equivalent to $16,580 in 2025 dollars. Non-resident tuition of $35,070 works out to $47,693 in 2025 dollars.
Resident tuition in 2025 dollars
$16,580
Non-resident tuition in 2025 dollars
$47,693
Inflation adjustment uses CPI-U annual average, U.S. city average, all items (1982-84=100). The 2025 annual average is computed from eleven months because the October 2025 index was never collected during the federal funding lapse.
What does that mean? UCLA tuition worked out to roughly $45/day of instruction, or $813/class (assuming 15 classes per year).
At California's $9.00/hr minimum wage back then, covering tuition alone would take 1,355 hours of work (~34 full-time weeks) — before housing and food.
Quick Facts
Resident Tuition
vs. 5 years earlier (2009-2010)
+$3,234
Resident tuition rose 36.1% from $8,958 to $12,192
vs. 10 years earlier (2004-2005)
+$6,508
Resident tuition rose 114.5% from $5,684 to $12,192
Non-Resident Tuition
vs. 5 years earlier (2009-2010)
+$3,347
Non-resident tuition rose 10.55% from $31,723 to $35,070
vs. 10 years earlier (2004-2005)
+$12,430
Non-resident tuition rose 54.9% from $22,640 to $35,070
Looking for Current UCLA Costs?
UCLA tuition for 2026-2027 is now $16,430 for California residents. Use our interactive Cost Calculator to estimate your total cost of attendance — including housing, meal plans, books, and more.
Sources
Figures and historical context for 2014-2015 are drawn from the following sources.
- Regents minutes, Nov. 20, 2014 (14-7 vote, full plan terms)(opens in a new tab)
- Regents Nov. 2014 item F1, 2015-16 Budget for Current Operations(opens in a new tab)
- Daily Bruin: Regents approve tuition hike plan amid student backlash (Nov. 20, 2014)(opens in a new tab)
- Daily Bruin: USAC passes vote of no confidence in Napolitano, regents (Dec. 2, 2014)(opens in a new tab)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CPI-U annual averages (CUUR0000SA0)(opens in a new tab)
- California Department of Industrial Relations, History of California Minimum Wage(opens in a new tab)