66 Best Private Universities in California for International Students
There are a lot of countries that offer various studies in both public and private institutions of higher education, but if you are interested in studying at a distinguished private university that offers more than just formal education, then California is one of the states in United States that will allow you to do that. Furthermore, your time in California will provide you with numerous opportunities to expand and grow on both a social and psychological level.
Private institutions are a great way to reach your academic goals and get that well-deserved degree. To help you out, check out the list below if you’re looking to study in a private university in California. Each university page provides you with specific details on tuition, admission, language requirements, available courses, and more. So, make sure to check the university pages! Let’s dig in!
Apply for 2026 Intake!
Applications for 2026 Intake are open. Search through the degrees around the world!
| Rank | University | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stanford University | Stanford, United States |
| 2 | California Institute of Technology | Pasadena, United States |
| 3 | University of Southern California | Los Angeles, United States |
| 4 | Santa Clara University | Santa Clara, United States |
| 5 | University of San Francisco | San Francisco, United States |
| 6 | University of San Diego | San Diego, United States |
| 7 | Loma Linda University | Loma Linda, United States |
| 8 | Chapman University | Orange, United States |
| 9 | Loyola Marymount University | Los Angeles, United States |
| 10 | Pepperdine University | Malibu, United States |
| 11 | University of the Pacific | Stockton, United States |
| 12 | Claremont Graduate University | Claremont, United States |
| 13 | Pomona College | Claremont, United States |
| 14 | Harvey Mudd College | Claremont, United States |
| 15 | Occidental College | Los Angeles, United States |
| 16 | Claremont McKenna College | Claremont, United States |
| 17 | ArtCenter College of Design | Pasadena, United States |
| 18 | Biola University | La Mirada, United States |
| 19 | Golden Gate University | San Francisco, United States |
| 20 | Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, United States |
| 21 | California Institute of the Arts | Santa Clarita, United States |
| 22 | Pitzer College | Claremont, United States |
| 23 | California College of the Arts | San Francisco, United States |
| 24 | University of Redlands | Redlands, United States |
| 25 | Dominican University of California | San Rafael, United States |
| 26 | Saint Mary’s College of California | Moraga, United States |
| 27 | California Institute of Integral Studies | San Francisco, United States |
| 28 | University of Massachusetts Global | Irvine, United States |
| 29 | California Lutheran University | Thousand Oaks, United States |
| 30 | Western University of Health Sciences | Pomona, United States |
| 31 | University of La Verne | La Verne, United States |
| 32 | Whittier College | Whittier, United States |
| 33 | Westmont College | Santa Barbara, United States |
| 34 | California Baptist University | Riverside, United States |
| 35 | Scripps College | Claremont, United States |
| 36 | Point Loma Nazarene University | San Diego, United States |
| 37 | West Coast University – Los Angeles | Los Angeles, United States |
| 38 | La Sierra University | Riverside, United States |
| 39 | California Western School of Law | San Diego, United States |
| 40 | Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science | Los Angeles, United States |
| 41 | Soka University of America | Aliso Viejo, United States |
| 42 | Southwestern Law School | Los Angeles, United States |
| 43 | Keck Graduate Institute | Claremont, United States |
| 44 | Concordia University Irvine | Irvine, United States |
| 45 | Pacific Union College | Napa, United States |
| 46 | Master’s University | Santa Clarita, United States |
| 47 | Fresno Pacific University | Fresno, United States |
| 48 | Palo Alto University | Palo Alto, United States |
| 49 | Vanguard University of Southern California | Costa Mesa, United States |
| 50 | Otis College of Art and Design | Los Angeles, United States |
| 51 | Southern California Institute of Architecture | Los Angeles, United States |
| 52 | Samuel Merritt University | Oakland, United States |
| 53 | Thomas Jefferson School of Law | San Diego, United States |
| 54 | American Jewish University | Los Angeles, United States |
| 55 | Menlo College | Atherton, United States |
| 56 | San Francisco Conservatory of Music | San Francisco, United States |
| 57 | Notre Dame de Namur University | Belmont, California, United States |
| 58 | University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences | San Marcos, California, United States |
| 59 | William Jessup University | Rocklin, United States |
| 60 | Pacifica Graduate Institute | Santa Barbara, United States |
| 61 | University of Silicon Valley | San Jose, United States |
| 62 | Thomas Aquinas College | Santa Paula, United States |
| 63 | NewSchool of Architecture and Design | San Diego, United States |
| 64 | Hope International University | Fullerton, United States |
| 65 | Life Pacific University | San Dimas, United States |
| 66 | Southern States University | San Diego, United States |
Find Open Programs for International Students!
Browse through currently open programs around the world for international students!
Apply for 2026 Intake!
Applications for 2026 Intake are open. Search through the degrees around the world!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much does Private Universities in California Cost?
There are 66 private universities in California, out of which, we have tuition fee of 64 private universities available.
The average tuition fee of private universities in California for international bachelor’s students is 45,900 USD with ranging from 7,333 USD to 73,300 USD.
The average tuition fee of private universities in California for international Master’s students is 17,400 USD with ranging from 3,840 USD to 77,000 USD.
As you plan your studies abroad, we hope that this article will help you in choosing a good private university.
We know that attending a private university can be expensive, given its benefits and added perks. But remember that public universities are always an option, too, as they're affordable and can provide you with the same high-quality education. With that, feel free to check out our list of public universities in California to learn more about your options for your next academic destination.