is gap year worth it? (my situation)

USD 30-40 K will not cover out-of-state/international costs at the UCs or many of the CSUs in California. Take those places off your list.

Every college/university that has a Cost of Attendance posted right on its website. Be sure that the one you look at is for international students, and then make any additional adjustments for international travel expenses and for your required health insurance.

If you need financial aid, it is important to remember that each college/university has its own formula, so they might decide that you don’t need any aid at all.