How to Study in California for International Students

California, one of the states in United States, should be among your choices if you’re looking to study abroad. This location offers world-class education and opportunities to jump-start your career and engage in character-building adventures. You’ll also have the chance to immerse yourself in a rich culture and learn about its nuances compared to the rest of the country.

When it comes to the choices that are available, California currently has 108 universities, from which 36 universities are a part of the public sector and 72 universities are private institutions.

Suppose you’re not just looking for any school but a well-performing school. In that case, the top universities in California you should definitely check out are Stanford University, California Institute of Technology, and University of California, Berkeley.

Being able to study in California as an international student starts with planning ahead of time, as the process of researching your institution, filling out forms, and completing your paperwork can take a vast amount of time. In this article, you will find out the application process to study in California, along with information on tuition, language requirements, and visa applications. So, let’s dig in!

1. Cost of Studying in California

When choosing a university, you also need to consider the tuition fees and your budget. Before applying to a university in California, it’s best to have a general knowledge of the tuition fees there. The annual tuition fees for international undergraduate students range from 8,538 USD to 63,500 USD, while for master’s degree studies, the yearly tuition fees are between 3,840 USD and 77,700 USD.

Cost of Studying in Public Universities in California

To give you an idea of how much it costs to study in California, here are the tuition fees in these public and private universities:

Cost of Studying in Private Universities in California

If you’re looking for the most affordable universities in California, check out the Cheap Universities in California!

Besides tuition fees, you also need to consider other expenses like books, accommodation, and living expenses.

2. Requirements to Study in California for International Students

Once you have an idea of how much tuition fees are to study in California, it’s time to consider preparing the paperwork to apply to those universities. Academic institutions have varying admission requirements, but the ones you should always prepare in advance are your academic records, such as a transcript of records or diploma from a previous academic level, and travel documents, such as your passport and visa.

Some institutions that offer master’s programs might also ask for a statement of purpose, a curriculum vitae or résumé, and letters of recommendation. There are also degree programs where you need to take an admissions test before you can apply. Besides these, universities might also require you to submit proof of language proficiency.

In California, English is the main language of instruction. An academic institution in California may require non-native English speakers to prove language proficiency by taking standardized English tests, such as the International English Language Testing System also known as IELTS, and the Test Of English as a Foreign Language or TOEFL. You can also check out if your target university is accepting a Duolingo English Test score because some universities in California are accepting Duolingo scores. When you take any of these tests, note that you’ll need to get at least the required minimum score to qualify for your preferred university.

To give you an idea, here are some universities in California and their required minimum scores for each program level.

Academy of Art University

Bachelor’s degree

• Duolingo: No Minimum Scores
• Bachelor's English Language Requirements Page

Master’s degree

• Duolingo: No Minimum Scores
• Master's English Language Requirements Page

ArtCenter College of Design

Bachelor’s degree

• TOEFL: 80
• IELTS: 6.5
• Duolingo: 105
• Bachelor's English Language Requirements Page

Master’s degree

• TOEFL: 100
• IELTS: 7
• Duolingo: 120
• Master's English Language Requirements Page

Azusa Pacific University

Bachelor’s degree

• IELTS: 6
• TOEFL: 80
• Bachelor's English Language Requirements Page

Master’s degree

• IELTS: 7
• TOEFL: 90
• Master's English Language Requirements Page

Typically, you can find information about language requirements on the admissions requirements page of the university. You can also check out if the university has a dedicated language requirements page for international students.

Application Procedure to Study in California

The specific admission process may vary depending on the university. The good news is that most institutions in California have online applications available on their websites, like Stanford University and California Institute of Technology. To help you with this, we also compiled the official websites and admission pages of some of the top institutions in California.

Stanford University

• Official Website
• Domestic Bachelor's Admissions Page
• International Bachelor's Admissions Page
• Domestic and International Master's Admissions Page

California Institute of Technology

• Official Website
• Domestic and International Bachelor's Admissions Page
• Domestic and International Master's Admissions Page

University of California, Berkeley

• Official Website
• Domestic and International Bachelor's Admissions Page
• Domestic and International Master's Admissions Page

Make sure to gather all the information you need for the admission process. As you apply to these institutions, expect that they may ask for additional requirements depending on your nationality, degree, or program. So, it’s best to keep your lines active.

After completing your academic and language requirements, it’s time to apply!

The admission process in California differs from one university to another, so it’s best to contact your chosen school beforehand. Please note that the admission process for international students may take some time, so be sure to know the application dates and apply early.

The application process may take weeks or months, depending on your timing, nationality, degree, and other factors. To make the most of your application, make sure to completely follow the admission steps and submit the necessary requirements to ensure that you’ll be accepted to your chosen university in California.

The key to being admitted to your chosen school will depend on your punctuality and the quality of your application. So make sure to complete the requirements beforehand and follow the steps in applying. After this, you’ll wait for a week or a month for the results.

4. Visa Application for International Students in California

If you’re going to study in California, you will need to apply for a student visa in United States

In this section, let’s briefly discuss the requirements needed and how you can apply for a student visa in United States. If you’re going to stay here for your studies, you will need to obtain a F-1 visa .

To start your student visa application in California, you will need to present the following:

1. Passport
2. Completed I-20 form
3. Proof of payments for DS-160 and I-901 SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System )
4. Recently taken photos
5. Diploma, if available
6. Bank statement
7. School transcripts
8. Proof of intent to leave after completing your studies
9. Proof of official test scores mentioned in the university application

Kindly take note that these requirements may vary depending on your nationality. So, please expect that may ask for additional requirements. Moreover, you will be required to pay a student visa application fee. The visa application fee in United States is 185 USD.

After preparing your requirements and application fees, it’s time to apply for a student visa! The first steps in getting your student visa are:

1. Complete the online application
2. Schedule a visa interview at a US embassy or consulate in your home country
3. Check the appointment wait times for your visa interview.
4. Prepare for your interview and if applicable, pay for the visa application fee.
5. Complete the required documents.
6. Attend your visa interview and arrange for the return of your passport and visa once your application is approved.

For more information regarding the specific steps in applying for a student visa, visit or contact the nearest embassy or consulate in your home country. They are the ones responsible for processing your student visa application.

That’s it! After getting your student visa, you can now officially study in California. Make sure to book a flight early, before your classes start, so that you’ll have ample time to explore and familiarize yourself in your new place!