UCR vs. UCI vs. UCSB financial aid

A break down of my estimated expenses for each school. So far UCR seems the cheapest and UCSB is the most expensive even though it’s the one i want to attend most :(. I live close enough to UCI to commute so that could be my best option even though i really don’t want to do that but… i may have to deal with it in order to afford college. Not sure which is my best option

UCI ESTIMATED NET COST: (They still haven’t posted my aid status.)

Estimated Total Cost of Attendance
Tuition and Fees $14,749.47
Room and Board+$12,947.00
Books and Supplies+$1,749.00
Other Expenses+$2,657.00
Total Cost of Attendance $32,102.47

Estimated Financial Aid
Grants$17,930.47 - $18,930.47
Self Help$8,800.00 - $9,800.00
Family Help$3,872.00 - $4,872.00

Estimated Net Price$13,172.00 - $14,172.00

Expected Family Contribution
Student Contribution $0.00
Parent Contribution+$4,372.00
Expected Family Contribution $4,372.00

UCSB UNOFFICIAL AID LETTER:

Awards

Unofficial Grants and Scholarships $23187
Cal Grant A $12294
Federal Pell Grant $2065
UCSB Grant $5828
UC Freshman Scholarship $3000
Unofficial Work-Study Eligibility $2502
Unofficial Loan Eligibility $11232
Direct Loan Subsidized $3500
Direct Loan Unsubsidized $2000
Parent PLUS Loan $3731
Federal Perkins Loan $2001
Unofficial Total Aid$36921

My Net Cost at UCSB

The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships calculates UCSB costs based on average nine month academic year expenses. These costs are established to determine financial aid eligibility and are intended as a guide to help plan for meeting the cost of attendance at UCSB.

This guide presents your aid eligibility in a different format. It subtracts your grants and scholarships from the average estimated academic year expenses. The difference, or “net cost,” reflects the amount you and your parents will be expected to contribute towards your educational expenses through a variety of means as explained below. It shows what your net cost will be after the total cost is reduced by the amount of your gift aid.

Total UCSB Cost Estimate$36921
Tuition and Fees$14022
Housing and Meals$15186
Books and Supplies$1428
Transportation$768
Other Education Costs$5517
Includes Health Care, Personal Expenses, Phone Expenses, and Loan Fees
Minus Unofficial Grants and Scholarships- $23187
Equals Unofficial Net Cost= $13734

UCR FINANCIAL AID AWARD:

    FEDERAL PELL GRANT  Accepted        $2,065      $689    $688    $688         
CAL GRANT A             $12,294         $4,098  $4,098  $4,098       
UCR GRANT               $9,020      $3,007  $3,007  $3,006       
HIGHLANDER EXCELLENCE SCHOL     Accepted        $2,000      $667    $667    $666         
Total Gift Aid              $25,379         $8,461  $8,460  $8,458       
Work Study           

FEDERAL WORK STUDY

$1,500 $500 $500 $500

Total Work Study $1,500 $500 $500 $500

Loans

FEDERAL DIRECT STAFFORD LOAN

$3,500 $1,167 $1,167 $1,166

FED DIRECT UNSUB STAFFORD LOAN

$2,000 $667 $667 $666

FEDERAL DIRECT PARENT PLUS LOAN

$608 $203 $203 $202

Total Loans $6,108 $2,037 $2,037 $2,034

Total Financial Aid $32,987 $10,998 $10,997 $10,992

My Net Cost to Attend UCR

Cost of Attendance $36,721

Gift Aid - $25,379

My Net Cost $11,342

Are you asking for which one is the cheapest? UCR is the cheapest.
Keep in mind that your financial aid will not stay the same for UCI if you choose to live at home.