25 Best Universities In California For International Students 2025

California is surely one of the places you should be considering if you’re looking to study in United States. This location has a lot to offer for international students, including world-class universities and exciting student experiences. With more than 102 universities and colleges in California, you’ll surely have a wide range of choices.

Out of 102 universities in California, Stanford University and University of California, Berkeley are the top-performing schools in California. This list covers both public and private institutions in California.

To help you narrow down your school options, we’ve compiled the best universities in California. We based our rankings on academic reputations from reputable sources and the number of international students. By doing this, you’ll have an efficient way of comparing your target universities and choose your host university in California.

How do I get admission to the best universities in California?

Applying to the universities in California involves submitting requirements and following specific admissions procedures set by your chosen university. The requirements often include a student visa, application packages, and language scores. Check out our guide for international students who want to study in California to learn more about applying for admission in this country’s universities!

How much are the tuition fees at the best universities in California?

Tuition fees at California’s universities can vary depending on which university, degree, and program you will be enrolling in. Generally, tuition fees for the bachelor’s level range from 8,538 USD to 63,500 USD , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 3,840 USD to 77,700 USD. If you are interested, check out the affordable universities in California!

As we cover the best universities in California for international students, feel free to check out the university’s information on Admission, Tuition, Courses, and Language Requirements by looking at the individual university pages.

Top Universities in California for International Students

Stanford University belongs to the cream of the crop of universities worldwide, ranking no less 3rd place in most assessments. This private institution in California was established in 1885, and 100+ years later, it developed a quality education that other institutions deem standard. Thousands of students enter its large campus and choose from hundreds of undergraduate and graduate programs.

Also known for short as UC Berkeley, this institution is a public research university that is located in Berkeley, California. Being one of the first institutions established in the state of California, UC Berkeley contains 14 different academic departments that offer nearly 400 academic programs to its prospective students. Rivaling even the world-tier universities, this institution is best known for its courses in natural sciences, computer sciences, and entrepreneurship.

Located in the illustrious City of Angels is the University of California, Los Angeles. Diversity, a passion for creation, and applied knowledge defines this grand university. Offering over 300 programs, the University of California, Los Angeles is among the world’s best institutions for engineering, arts, medicine, and the sciences.

The California Institute of Technology is one of the schools in the United States that specializes in pure and applied sciences. It was founded as a vocational school but developed into a distinguished and highly selective institution through the efforts of researchers, scientists, and engineers that make up the faculty. Today, students and scientists of CalTech continue to contribute to important projects around the globe, including research in quantum physics and robotics.

The University of California, San Diego (UCSD) is among the campuses of the prestigious University of California system. It is known to be one of the best institutions for research worldwide. Aside from being famous for its outstanding medical and engineering programs, UCSD is also widely recognized for its vibrant arts and sports events.

The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is a leading institution for medical education and training in the United States. UCSF is also part of the University of California system and is, therefore, an excellent research center – especially in the medical and biological sciences. However, unlike the other campuses in the system, UCSF offers only graduate programs.

The University of Southern California (USC) is a premier private research university that was established in 1880 in Los Angeles. It’s known as the oldest private higher education institution in California. Ranking as one of the top-most performing universities in the country, USC offers one of the best high-quality instruction and professional training in various fields ranging from liberal arts, business, and finance, to engineering and medicine. The university is globally recognized for introducing the Domain Name System and other innovations such as DNA computing, antivirus software, dynamic programming, and others.

The University of California, Davis is part of the famous UC public university system, which comprises ten campuses. Hundreds of high-quality graduate and undergraduate programs are offered, giving prospective students many options. It is also among the best, ranking among the top 100 schools worldwide.

University of California, Santa Barbara, is part of the ten-campus UC public university system. It started as an independent solution before joining UC in 1944 as its third campus. More than 200 programs in various levels and subjects are up for the taking. Students may receive high-quality and prestigious training, as no less is expected from a premier producer of prominent alumni, including Nobel laureates, Oscar winners, and renowned experts.

The University of California, Irvine is a public research university offering more than 200 programs at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. It is considered a Public Ivy, as it offers a teaching quality similar to that of Ivy League schools. UCI is one of the American universities most active in research and several Nobel laureates are affiliated with its faculty.

The University of California, Santa Cruz, also known as UCSC, is a part of the globally-recognized University of California system. UCSC boasts of excellent research and higher education for students. Aside from that, the institution is also dedicated to helping out its local community through different projects and initiatives.

University of California, Riverside is a rising research university and a member of the prominent UC public university system. UC Riverside is top-ranked in many categories, including global rankings, social mobility, financial aid, innovation, and public university rankings. Hundreds of majors and programs are available in the university through its seven schools and colleges.

San Diego State University is an excellent research university. It has already produced thousands of intelligent graduates who have contributed significantly to the community. The university lived up to its cause of embracing a diverse set of students and highly promotes inclusive education.

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, was the first polytechnic institution to become part of the California State University system. This top-ranked institution takes pride in providing exciting opportunities for students, including diverse programs, on-hand learning, and high-quality research training. This prominent institution comprises six colleges dedicated to agriculture, architecture, engineering, liberal arts, science, mathematics, business, and other related subjects.

The California State University system is comprised of 23 campuses, one of which is California State University, Fullerton (also known as Cal State Fullerton). Cal State Fullerton, which has the largest student population in the system, is a Hispanic-serving institution; thus, nearly half of its population is of Hispanic origins. It is also top-ranked in diversity, innovation, performance, affordability, and social mobility.

Established in the late 18th century, Santa Clara University is a private institution with religious ties to the Catholic faith. Due to its historic establishment, Santa Clara is one of the oldest surviving institutions in the United States, and due to its long history, many people have graduated from this famed institution. When it comes to its alumni achievements, Santa Clara University has the right to boast since its alumni have created Javascript (widely-used programming code), Nvidia (tech company), and Farmer’s Insurance (top-tier insurance company). In addition to all of their achievement, alumni from Santa Clara have won many world-class awards such as Oscars, Pulitzer Prizes, Grammy Awards, and even the MVP Award from the NBA.

San José State University was established more than 160 years ago primarily to train teachers. At present, it offers over 200 study programs in different disciplines such as education, engineering, business, and health sciences. It is also known for its significant contributions to the region’s development through the research and projects the university has conducted over the years. 

Loyola Marymount University is a private educational institution located in Los Angeles, California. It was established in 1911 and takes pride in its Jesuit and Marymount heritage. The university is dedicated not only to providing excellent education to its students but also to guiding them towards their spiritual growth and overall development. 

Also known as UC Merced, the University of California at Merced is a public institution that is part of the mother institution. Being the tenth campus established by the University of California, UC Merced is a high-input research institution that emphasizes academic learning for all students. Specializing in educating low-income students from underrepresented backgrounds, this institution has strived for the good of the community since 2005.

California State University, Northridge was founded in 1958 in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, California. The university is dedicated to helping students attain their academic and professional goals. CSUN is also known for its having several collaborations with university and community stakeholders in conducting research and projects that would serve the people of San Fernando Valley and beyond. 

Loma Linda University (LLU) is a Seventh-day Adventist health and sciences institution. Programs and learning opportunities at LLU are described to be Christ-centered and mission-focused. Aside from academic excellence, Loma Linda University strives to develop the spirituality of students.

San Francisco State University or SF State is one of the 23 California State University system campuses. From its origins as a teacher training institution, SF State has grown into a thriving, world-class university with high research output and top rankings across various assessments. It now provides more than a hundred programs in sciences, business, journalism, public service, and many other subjects.

Carrying the Jesuit values, the University of San Francisco secures an inclusive learning environment where anyone, regardless of gender and race, is honored and supported. It is committed to cultivating everyone’s integral development and excellence and actively engages in global activities through research. Graduates from the university are proven to demonstrate high-caliber intelligence and leadership skills.

Pepperdine University is a Churches of Christ-based university. It was named after Christian Pepperdine, a businessman, and Churches of Christ member who founded the university. Overall, Pepperdine Uni is a top-ranked institution based on several national rankings. It was placed 131st in the US by QS rankings, 175th by Times Higher Education, and 49th by US News. Around 80 programs are available yearly.

Founded in 1887, California State University, Chico (CSU Chico) or Chico State is known to be one of the oldest member institutions of the California State University system. CSU Chico has trained countless students since it started its operations. This public research university provides top-rated educational programs in various areas of study. Moreover, its location is considered one of the country’s most beautiful and serene campuses comprising modern facilities, buildings, and laboratories.