<p>Yes, absolutely wrong.
Room/board/books expenses at USC are a whole lot less than tuition/room/board/books at a UC.
COA at a UC if I remember correctly was over $20,000 in 2008 when I compared costs. Probably more now.
Tuition alone at a UC is actually be more than the room/board at USC.</p>
<p>Here:
[Fees</a>, Tuition, and Estimated Student Budget - UCLA Undergraduate Admissions](<a href=“http://www.admissions.ucla.edu/prospect/budget.htm]Fees”>http://www.admissions.ucla.edu/prospect/budget.htm)
^ show this breakdown to your mom.</p>
<p>And are you an OOS non resident for a UC? If so, COA is $ >$50000</p>