11 Cheapest Universities in Los Angeles for International Students

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In Los Angeles, California, there are a lot of affordable universities that you can find. Enrolling in these schools will help you fulfill your dream of studying in United States without paying a lot. These institutions also provide well-rounded academic programs and curriculums, allowing students to earn a degree with less burden on their pockets.

Now, if you’re planning to study in Los Angeles, you’ll have a lot of school options, as they are home to 12 universities. But if you’re looking for cheap universities in Los Angeles, make sure to read more!

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Cheap Bachelor's Colleges and Universities in Los Angeles for International Students

Here is the list of affordable institutions in Los Angeles ordered by their tuition fee for international bachelor's students.

University Annual Bachelor’s International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
American Jewish University 7,333 USD 83%
California State University, Northridge 18,200 USD - 21,000 USD 57%
California State University, Los Angeles 18,200 USD - 21,000 USD 57%
West Coast University – Los Angeles 30,400 USD - 38,000 USD 28%
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science 31,800 USD 25%
Otis College of Art and Design 49,100 USD -16%
Southern California Institute of Architecture 49,500 USD -17%
University of California, Los Angeles 51,900 USD -23%
Loyola Marymount University 64,500 USD -53%
Occidental College 68,200 USD -62%
University of Southern California 73,300 USD -74%

* Average Bachelor’s International Tuition is 42,100 USD for universities in Los Angeles.

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1. American Jewish University

American Jewish University is a school founded in 1947 as a center and home for the Jewish community. A private university with three libraries and limited offered programs, the school is currently not accepting undergraduate applicants. The school has multiple graduate programs but only has three Master’s level programs under their School for Jewish Education and Leadership. Despite being a center and home for the Jewish community, they have a diverse and inclusive campus life that accepts individuals of any race, gender, ethnicity, and religion. The Jewish tradition is used as a guide in school but is not forced on their students.

2. California State University, Northridge

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. 

3. California State University, Los Angeles

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. 

4. West Coast University – Los Angeles

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.

5. Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science

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.

6. Otis College of Art and Design

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.

7. Southern California Institute of Architecture

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.

8. University of California, Los Angeles

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.

9. Loyola Marymount University

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. 

10. Occidental College

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.

11. University of Southern California

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.

Cheap Master's Colleges and Universities in Los Angeles for International Students

Here is the list of affordable institutions in Los Angeles ordered by their tuition fee for international master's students.

University Annual Master's International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
West Coast University – Los Angeles 11,100 USD - 16,600 USD 61%
California State University, Northridge 14,200 USD - 17,100 USD 50%
California State University, Los Angeles 14,200 USD - 17,100 USD 50%
Loyola Marymount University 19,600 USD - 32,500 USD 30%
American Jewish University 24,000 USD 15%
Southwestern Law School 28,100 USD - 56,200 USD -0%
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science 29,400 USD -5%
University of Southern California 32,000 USD - 67,700 USD -14%
University of California, Los Angeles 36,300 USD - 79,500 USD -29%
Otis College of Art and Design 49,100 USD -75%
Southern California Institute of Architecture 49,500 USD -77%

* Average Master's International Tuition is 28,000 USD for universities in Los Angeles.

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1. West Coast University – Los Angeles

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.

If you're looking to save the most on your graduate studies abroad, West Coast University – Los Angeles should be at the top of your list. International students here pay only 11,028 USD to 16,542 USD annually for their master's degree.

2. California State University, Northridge

One of the universities you should definitely check out for practical reasons is California State University, Northridge. Here, you can finish your master's degree with minimal stress on your finances. After all, the tuition rate for graduate studies at California State University, Northridge is 14,200 USD to 17,026 USD.

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. 

3. California State University, Los Angeles

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. 

The tuition fee at California State University, Los Angeles for incoming international master’s students is 14,200 USD to 17,026 USD. With its cheap rates, you can guarantee you’ll get a quality education without breaking the bank!

4. Loyola Marymount University

Another affordable university to consider in Los Angeles is Loyola Marymount University.

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. 

The tuition fee in Loyola Marymount University for master’s program for foreign students starts from 19,584 USD.

5. American Jewish University

Aside from its outstanding quality of education, American Jewish University has some of the lowest tuition fee prices for foreign students who are planning to take a master's degree here. International master's students only pay as low as 23,920 USD yearly.

American Jewish University is a school founded in 1947 as a center and home for the Jewish community. A private university with three libraries and limited offered programs, the school is currently not accepting undergraduate applicants. The school has multiple graduate programs but only has three Master’s level programs under their School for Jewish Education and Leadership. Despite being a center and home for the Jewish community, they have a diverse and inclusive campus life that accepts individuals of any race, gender, ethnicity, and religion. The Jewish tradition is used as a guide in school but is not forced on their students.

6. Southwestern Law School

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.

7. Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science

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.

8. University of Southern California

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.

9. University of California, Los Angeles

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.

10. Otis College of Art and Design

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.

11. Southern California Institute of Architecture

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I get admission to affordable universities in Los Angeles, California?

Applying to cheap universities in Los Angeles requires you to complete different requirements depending on your degree and chosen university. These usually include admission forms, language proficiency scores, and a visa. Check out our full guide to studying in United States for a more comprehensive guide!

2. What can I study at Best affordable universities in Los Angeles?

International students can study a variety of programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels in Los Angeles. For example, one of the best affordable schools in Los Angeles is the American Jewish University, which offers Early Childhood Education to students seeking a bachelor’s degree. At the master’s level, the American Jewish University offers Education , Teaching , and Early Childhood Education .

It's important to take a look at all your options when selecting where to attend post-secondary school. With so many different types of schools, degrees, and universities in Los Angeles, it can be tough to know where to start looking.

So, make sure to explore the best public universities in Los Angeles as well if you're looking for affordable education!

We hope that this article on affordable institutions in Los Angeles for international students was helpful!