The photo was taken from a balcony in UCSC Family Student Housing. It was submitted to the chancellor’s photo contest in November and a winner was never announced.
This data was compiled from the family student housing websites of each of the UCs in February of 2020. A basic summary chart is included at the end of the post.
The wide range of rents charged by the University of California (UC) Regents (that is the name that goes on the check if you pay that way) across the UC system ($906-$2947 for a 2-bedroom/1-bathroom unit) for university family student housing (FSH) is just one glaring reason why graduate students across the UC system are demanding fairer pay for their labor. The UC system is fully participating in, benefiting from, and contributing to the cost of living inequity and unaffordability across the state and it is time they are held accountable. If you want more details about the range of rents and amenities among UC’s family student housing, the findings are described below. If you want more information about the graduate student wildcat strike that began at UC Santa Cruz go to the link https://payusmoreucsc.com/ .
UC San Francisco students are paying the highest rents among the UCs, but UCSF does not seem to have a designated student-family housing community. UC Santa Cruz and UC Berkeley are paying the highest university family student housing rates across the UCs, but at least Berkeley’s rates include electricity. The lowest rates for two-bedroom/one-bathroom units are at UC Davis, Riverside, Irvine, and Merced. Although UCLA’s rental costs are comparable to UCSC, the amenities included at UCLA are well-beyond what is offered at UCSC FSH (i.e. microwave, dishwasher, air-conditioning, adult lap pool, children’s swimming pool). The family student housing options at UC San Diego are incredibly diverse and affordable compared to UCSC, including the option of a 2-bedroom, one-bathroom unit within walking distance to the beach for $1500/month which also includes utilities. Even some of the most luxurious family-allowed accommodations like those at UC San Diego’s La Jolla and Mesa Nueva are cheaper than UC Santa Cruz’s family student housing 2019-2020 rates and some include 2 bathrooms instead of one. Each of the UCs is bulleted in the list that follows. Rents listed are due monthly. #COLA4all
- UC Santa Cruz – rates include parking, cable and horribly unreliable and slow internet (verified by the author, her children, and personal acquaintances)
No dishwashers, no AC, electricity NOT included, no pool, no spa, not within walking distance to the beach
2019-2020 rates for a 2-bedroom unit – $1767 (2-bedroom units are the only units available) 2-bedroom units last year $1707 & 2 years ago $1647
Families who joined last year are still paying $1707
Families who joined two years ago are still paying $1647
- UC Santa Barbara – 2019-2020 rates * high-speed internet and parking included
West – 2 bedroom/1 bath units $1173. Storke – 2 bedroom/1 bath $1443
Leases are month-to-month
- UCLA – 2019-2020
*All units are rented unfurnished and contain a full kitchen (including stove, refrigerator, microwave, and dishwasher), wall-to-wall carpeting, blinds, and central heat and air-conditioning. Buildings have a key-controlled building access system and laundry facilities.
Amenities include: State-of-the-art childcare center, Community centers, Central courtyards, Basic cable & high-speed internet connections, Adult lap pool, Children’s playground, Children’s swimming pool
2 bedrooms 1 bath $1684. 2 bedrooms 2 bath $1770 3 bedrooms 2 bath $1999
- UC Davis 2019-2020. *UC Davis boasts five on-campus childcare centers.
Solano Park *Does not include a parking permit
Two-Bedroom Apartment $906 per month
- UC Merced 2019-2020
*A furnished or unfurnished apartment (your choosing), water, sewer, electricity, trash, high-speed internet, free laundry, refrigerator, stove/oven, 1 assigned parking space included
Family Contracts (One student sharing a unit with non-UC-affiliated family members).
2 Bedroom/1 Bathroom $1,121 Per family of 3-4 for furnished or unfurnished apartments
2 Bedroom/2 Bathroom $1,121 Per family of 4 for a furnished or unfurnished apartment
- UC Irvine 2020-2021 *Utilities included
Verano Place 2 bedroom $1136-1668
Vista del Campo 2 bedroom $2320
Palo Verde 2 bedroom $1412-1780
- UC Riverside 2019-2020
*Interiors are smartly outfitted with stoves, refrigerators, dishwashers and central heating/cooling. Includes a swimming pool and spa!
2 bedroom/2 bath 904 sq. ft. $970 per month
Utilities & Parking Included!
- UC San Francisco *Includes utilities and internet, dishwashers, garbage disposals
2 bedroom, one bath $2662-2947/month
- UC Berkeley 2019-2020 *Rents include gas, electricity, water, garbage, recycling, one parking space, internet, and basic cable.
WEST Square Feet
| 1 bed, 1 bath * | $1,505 | 635 |
| 2 bed, 1 bath | $1,795 | 785-806 |
| 3 bed, 1.5 bath | $2,045 | 1002 |
EAST
| 2 bed, 1 bath | $1,945-2,045 | 987 |
| 2 bed, 2 bath | $2,045-2,215 | 987-1,197 |
| 3 bed, 1 bath | $2,215 | 1,085 |
| 3 bed, 2 bath | $2,315 | 1,085-1,103 |
- UC San Diego 2019-2020 *Rates include water, trash, gas, electricity, cable tv, internet, and parking.
COAST – It is located within walking distance to campus and the beach.
2 BR: $1,500
MIRAMAR – 2 BR: $1,305
MESA. Central: 2BR: $1,215, 3BR: $1,413 South: 2BR: $1,407
La Jolla del Sol
La Jolla del Sol is a condominium-style community in a prime location just minutes from the UC San Diego campus. All apartments are un-furnished one-bedroom, two-bedroom/one-bath, and two-bedroom/two-bath walk-up apartments. All units feature full-size washer and dryer, refrigerator, dishwasher, range and dining room ceiling fan. Amenities include two pools and spas, tennis courts, and a fitness facility. Renters Insurance is required for residents.
2BR/1BA – 2nd Floor: $1815; 3rd Floor: $1851
2BR/2BA – 1st Floor: $2049; 2nd Floor: $2058; 3rd Floor: $2106
Mesa Nueva
This HDH Housing community features the very best in graduate and professional living including a social pool with spas and splash zones, a brewpub, outdoor lounge, and so much more!
Our studios are furnished with a bed, side table, dresser, dining table with 2 stools, a desk & chair, a stove, and a refrigerator. Our 1, 2, and 3 bedroom apartments come equipped with in-unit dishwasher, side-by-side refrigerator/freezer, full-size washer & dryer, free parking, high-speed Internet, and premium cable package.
2BR/1 BA (non-master): $1665 — Room rate $819
2BR/2BA (master): $1665 — Room rate $846
3BR/2BA (non-master): $2469 — Room rate: $813
3BR/2BA (master): $2469 — Room rate: $843
Nuevo East and West
The certified LEED Gold community was intentionally designed to facilitate pedestrian flow and connect to other Mesa neighborhoods, encouraging residential interaction.
Rates include electricity, water, trash, gas, high-speed Internet, premium cable package and parking.
Amenities include: Furnished Apartments, An on-site professional programming team, Community garden, Grass play areas, Interior and exterior bike storage options, All LED Lighting, Numerous BBQ grilling stations, Community kitchen, Laundry lounges featuring WiFi and comfortable seating, Study lounges and numerous furnished gathering spaces, Social pool and two spas, Game room, Music room, Fitness center, Onsite shuttle stop, EV charging stations, Zip Car facility
- 2BD/1BA Furnished: $1929
- 4BD/2BA Furnished: $3756
- 6BD/3BA Furnished: $5490
BASIC CHART BELOW
| UC Family Student Housing | 2019-2020 Monthly Rent for 2BDRM/1BATH (unless otherwise noted) | What’s Included?
(Not a comprehensive list of amenities) |
| Santa Cruz | $1767 | Parking Permit, Unreliable internet, Cable |
| Davis | $906 | Does not include a parking permit |
| Riverside | $970 2bdrm/2bath | Parking, Utilities, Dishwasher, AC, Swimming pool, Spa |
| Merced | $1121 2bdrm/1 or 2bath | Utilities, Free laundry, Parking permit |
| Irvine | $1136-2320
2020-2021 rates |
Utilities included |
| Santa Barbara | $1173-1443 | Internet, Parking, Month-to-month leases |
| San Diego | $1215-2106
2bdr/2bath – $1665 |
Parking, Utilities, Pools, Spas, Beach proximity, Fitness centers, Game room |
| Los Angeles | $1684 | Adult & children’s pool, Microwave, Dishwasher, Internet |
| Berkeley | $1795-2215 | Includes parking & utilities |
| San Francisco | $2662-2947 | Utilities, Dishwashers |
Melissa Marini Švigelj 