12 Best Universities In Los Angeles For International Students 2025

Los Angeles 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 12 universities and colleges in Los Angeles, you’ll surely have a wide range of choices.

Out of 12 universities in Los Angeles, University of California, Los Angeles and University of Southern California are the top-performing schools in Los Angeles. This list covers both public and private institutions in Los Angeles.

To help you narrow down your school options, we’ve compiled the best universities in Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles, California.

How do I get admission to the best universities in Los Angeles?

Applying to the universities in Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles to learn more about applying for admission in this country’s universities!

How much are the tuition fees at the best universities in Los Angeles?

Tuition fees at Los Angeles’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 17,700 USD to 63,500 USD , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 13,200 USD to 63,500 USD. If you are interested, check out the affordable universities in Los Angeles!

As we cover the best universities in Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles for International Students

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 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.

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. 

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. 

The California State University in Los Angeles is among the leading public universities in the state. It offers over 100 study programs for students from within and outside Los Angeles. Programs are designed to meet the needs of today’s industries and to impart important values that would serve and help improve society. 

Occidental College (Oxy) is a private liberal arts school located in Los Angeles, California. This institution prepares students to become capable and skilled professionals and experts. Currently, it offers full-time undergraduate studies in arts, literature, science, and politics. Oxy may be small in size, but it can be pretty beneficial as faculty members will be able to support their students individually.

Southwestern Law School is a private law university located in the U.S. state of Los Angeles and certified by the American Bar Association. It is an independent law school affiliated with the undergraduate program of California State University in Northridge. The campus of the university includes a landmark, the Ardeco National Historic Landmark, which was established in 1929. The university was founded to establish a law school for women and minorities, and after World War II, the number of students exploded, and now has seven student dormitories on campus.

Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science is a medical school in Los Angeles, California. It was founded in 1966 and has established itself as one of the top-notch medical schools in the United States. The university offers undergraduate and graduate programs in medicine, nursing, and other areas of health sciences.

The Otis College of Art and Design takes pride as the pioneering independent institution for art studies in Los Angeles. It offers world-class education in media, design, and communication. The Otis College of Art and Design is recognized as a national leader in empowering the creative economy.

Southern California Institute of Architecture is one of the most prestigious and highly specialized higher education institutions in the United States. The private university was founded in 1972 and has been providing only one undergraduate and six graduate programs in or related to Architecture. From its history of the founders wanting to experiment with ideas on design and architecture, the focus of the school aims to provide immersive, hands-on, creative, and technical skills and knowledge that are greatly required to thrive and innovate architectural studies. Located in Los Angeles, California, it sits right in the middle of a bustling city and makes it home to diverse individuals from in and out of the United States.

For those who’d like to pursue a career in the health field, West Coast University is an excellent option for obtaining your undergraduate and graduate degrees. The university’s main objective is to provide experiential learning and highly technical training through innovation. It also tries to offer flexible and equal opportunities to all students, which is why it has many fully online programs and special options for completing the degrees in more time if needed. It also has five campuses in different cities in the U.S. so you can choose the alternative that best suits you.