Tuition Fees in California for International Students

Every country has a wide range of universities that differ from one another based on their programs, facilities, and tuition. Students look at all factors when choosing a university but mostly focus on tuition fees because they can have a wide range. When discussing tuition fees, it is important to state that California is one of the states in United States that offers a wide range of tuition fees for the different study programs.

Public universities are often good options for international students because they allow students to access well-established education under governmental support. Students that are interested in entering a public university in California should know that there are 35 universities here, and they need to research the most suitable for them.

Private universities are also some of the most credible places where you can get your degree. Out 101 institutions in California, 66 of them are privately operated. With these options, along with public institutions, students have better chances of finding a university that fits their financial capabilities.

Tuition fees are among the most significant factors students weigh when it comes to their university applications. Fortunately, knowing about tuition fees ahead of time can help you prepare for this challenge. In this article, we will be looking at tuition fees in California.

Are there any free tuition universities in California?

No, there are no free-tuition universities in California. Students are expected to be capable of financing their education and paying their tuition fees. However, students may check the universities here if they offer financial help, such as grants, scholarships, or work-study opportunities. It’s also worth checking the cheapest universities in California to find the most affordable study destinations.

Is California affordable for International Students?

Those pursuing bachelor's degree studies as an international student in California spend an average of 34,600 USD annually on tuition fees. On top of this, they also need to consider other costs, such as accommodation, food, and transport. With all these, those looking to study in California need to prepare well, as these expenses can easily add up to make a significant dent in their finances.

Meanwhile, international students in master's programs might not find California friendly to their wallets. The average tuition rate here is 18,100 USD. This along with living costs and miscellaneous expenses can quickly add up and make budgeting quite a challenge.

Tuition Fees in California

There are multiple universities in California that are welcoming to both international and domestic students, and they provide great educational values with different tuition fee values. Here are the tuition fee ranges of universities in California, based on student type and degree.

Universities Annual Tuition Fee for Bachelor
American Jewish University 7,333 USD
Southern States University 8,538 USD
University of Massachusetts Global 12,000 USD - 15,000 USD
Golden Gate University 13,900 USD
California State University, Stanislaus 15,600 USD - 18,000 USD
NewSchool of Architecture and Design 16,600 USD - 25,800 USD
California State University, Chico 17,200 USD - 19,800 USD
San Diego State University 17,200 USD - 19,800 USD
California State University Channel Islands 17,200 USD - 19,800 USD
San Francisco State University 17,200 USD - 19,800 USD
California State University, Bakersfield 17,200 USD - 19,800 USD
California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt 17,200 USD - 19,800 USD
San José State University 17,200 USD - 19,800 USD
California State University San Marcos 17,200 USD - 19,800 USD
California State University, Northridge 18,200 USD - 21,000 USD
California State University, Monterey Bay 18,200 USD - 21,000 USD
California State University, Long Beach 18,200 USD - 21,000 USD
California State University, Fullerton 18,200 USD - 21,000 USD
California State University, East Bay 18,200 USD - 21,000 USD
California State University, Los Angeles 18,200 USD - 21,000 USD
California State University, Fresno 18,200 USD - 21,000 USD
California State University, San Bernardino 18,200 USD - 21,000 USD
California State University, Dominguez Hills 18,200 USD - 21,000 USD
California State University, Sacramento 18,200 USD - 21,000 USD
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo 19,800 USD
Cal Poly Pomona 19,800 USD
Notre Dame de Namur University 20,400 USD
Loma Linda University 21,500 USD - 43,800 USD
University of Silicon Valley 21,500 USD - 26,900 USD
Sonoma State University 22,400 USD
Life Pacific University 23,400 USD
California Institute of Integral Studies 23,400 USD
Palo Alto University 24,700 USD
West Coast University – Los Angeles 30,400 USD - 38,000 USD
Thomas Aquinas College 31,000 USD
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science 31,800 USD
William Jessup University 36,000 USD
Fresno Pacific University 37,000 USD
Pacific Union College 37,300 USD
Hope International University 37,400 USD
La Sierra University 37,900 USD
Soka University of America 38,500 USD
Pepperdine University 39,500 USD - 62,400 USD
Master’s University 39,900 USD
Point Loma Nazarene University 40,400 USD
California Baptist University 40,700 USD
Concordia University Irvine 42,200 USD
Vanguard University of Southern California 42,500 USD
Azusa Pacific University 44,700 USD
University of La Verne 48,600 USD
Otis College of Art and Design 49,100 USD
Southern California Institute of Architecture 49,500 USD
Biola University 51,000 USD
University of California, Santa Barbara 51,300 USD
University of California, Berkeley 51,900 USD
University of California, Davis 51,900 USD
University of California, Merced 51,900 USD
University of California, Los Angeles 51,900 USD
Whittier College 52,000 USD
Dominican University of California 52,900 USD
California Lutheran University 53,700 USD
University of California, Riverside 54,100 USD
University of California, Santa Cruz 54,100 USD
Westmont College 54,500 USD
University of California, San Diego 55,000 USD
ArtCenter College of Design 55,200 USD
San Francisco Conservatory of Music 56,400 USD
University of California, Irvine 56,700 USD
University of the Pacific 57,900 USD
Menlo College 58,200 USD
Saint Mary’s College of California 59,300 USD
California College of the Arts 60,300 USD
Pitzer College 60,300 USD
California Institute of the Arts 60,700 USD
University of San Diego 61,400 USD
University of San Francisco 61,900 USD
University of Redlands 62,000 USD
Santa Clara University 62,800 USD
Loyola Marymount University 64,500 USD
California Institute of Technology 65,700 USD
Chapman University 67,500 USD
Stanford University 67,800 USD
Occidental College 68,200 USD
Scripps College 68,300 USD
Pomona College 68,300 USD
Harvey Mudd College 70,700 USD
Claremont McKenna College 71,000 USD
University of Southern California 73,300 USD
Universities Annual Tuition Fee for Master
Point Loma Nazarene University 3,840 USD - 10,700 USD
La Sierra University 4,944 USD - 14,000 USD
University of Silicon Valley 5,988 USD - 8,982 USD
Notre Dame de Namur University 6,180 USD - 18,600 USD
Southern States University 6,274 USD - 8,501 USD
Hope International University 6,600 USD - 14,000 USD
California Baptist University 6,600 USD - 18,000 USD
Life Pacific University 6,720 USD - 10,100 USD
Santa Clara University 7,008 USD - 27,400 USD
Vanguard University of Southern California 7,620 USD - 15,400 USD
Master’s University 7,920 USD - 11,900 USD
Fresno Pacific University 7,920 USD - 14,600 USD
California Lutheran University 8,280 USD - 22,000 USD
Azusa Pacific University 8,280 USD - 12,500 USD
NewSchool of Architecture and Design 8,496 USD - 16,600 USD
Concordia University Irvine 8,520 USD - 18,000 USD
Biola University 8,760 USD - 15,600 USD
University of Massachusetts Global 9,000 USD - 13,500 USD
University of La Verne 9,120 USD - 17,500 USD
Whittier College 9,828 USD - 14,800 USD
William Jessup University 10,600 USD - 17,900 USD
Dominican University of California 10,800 USD - 21,500 USD
West Coast University – Los Angeles 11,100 USD - 16,600 USD
Saint Mary’s College of California 11,900 USD - 48,500 USD
California State University, Stanislaus 12,400 USD - 14,800 USD
Palo Alto University 12,600 USD - 18,800 USD
Cal Poly Pomona 12,900 USD - 15,500 USD
University of California, San Francisco 13,200 USD
California State University Channel Islands 13,400 USD - 16,100 USD
California State University, Chico 13,400 USD - 16,100 USD
San Diego State University 13,400 USD - 16,100 USD
California State University, Bakersfield 13,400 USD - 16,100 USD
San Francisco State University 13,400 USD - 16,100 USD
California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt 13,400 USD - 16,100 USD
California State University San Marcos 13,400 USD - 16,100 USD
San José State University 13,400 USD - 16,100 USD
University of San Francisco 13,500 USD - 32,400 USD
California State University, Sacramento 14,200 USD - 17,100 USD
California State University, Northridge 14,200 USD - 17,100 USD
California State University, Monterey Bay 14,200 USD - 17,100 USD
California State University, East Bay 14,200 USD - 17,100 USD
California State University, Los Angeles 14,200 USD - 17,100 USD
California State University, Long Beach 14,200 USD - 17,100 USD
California State University, Fresno 14,200 USD - 17,100 USD
California State University, Fullerton 14,200 USD - 17,100 USD
California State University, Dominguez Hills 14,200 USD - 17,100 USD
California State University, San Bernardino 14,200 USD - 17,100 USD
Chapman University 14,400 USD - 51,100 USD
University of Redlands 15,000 USD - 49,400 USD
University of the Pacific 15,400 USD - 27,000 USD
Sonoma State University 16,100 USD - 18,700 USD
Western University of Health Sciences 16,100 USD - 67,000 USD
Golden Gate University 16,400 USD - 18,800 USD
California Institute of Integral Studies 16,500 USD - 24,800 USD
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo 17,600 USD
University of San Diego 18,700 USD - 31,100 USD
Loyola Marymount University 19,600 USD - 32,500 USD
Menlo College 19,900 USD - 39,800 USD
Thomas Jefferson School of Law 20,100 USD
Naval Postgraduate School 20,300 USD - 20,800 USD
Pepperdine University 22,800 USD - 74,900 USD
American Jewish University 24,000 USD
Claremont Graduate University 24,900 USD - 37,300 USD
University of California, Berkeley 25,400 USD - 28,300 USD
Pacifica Graduate Institute 26,100 USD - 33,900 USD
Southwestern Law School 28,100 USD - 56,200 USD
University of California, Santa Barbara 28,300 USD
University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences 28,600 USD - 59,500 USD
Loma Linda University 28,700 USD - 37,600 USD
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science 29,400 USD
University of California, Merced 30,600 USD
University of California, Davis 30,700 USD - 63,600 USD
University of Southern California 32,000 USD - 67,700 USD
University of California, Riverside 32,100 USD
University of California, Los Angeles 36,300 USD - 79,500 USD
University of California, San Diego 36,600 USD
University of California, Santa Cruz 36,800 USD
Keck Graduate Institute 37,000 USD - 44,000 USD
Soka University of America 37,100 USD
University of California, Irvine 37,300 USD
UC Law San Francisco 37,500 USD - 55,000 USD
California College of the Arts 44,400 USD - 77,000 USD
California Institute of the Arts 48,600 USD - 60,700 USD
Otis College of Art and Design 49,100 USD
Southern California Institute of Architecture 49,500 USD
San Francisco Conservatory of Music 56,400 USD
ArtCenter College of Design 58,400 USD
Stanford University 63,600 USD
California Institute of Technology 68,100 USD

The primary goal of this article is to provide information about tuition fees in California and to assist students in their quest to achieve their goals. By describing the average tuition fees and providing you with the best ones available, we hope to help you make an informed decision about your education. Remember that studying in California can be a financially viable option, so don't let the cost of tuition prevent you from pursuing your dreams.

And make sure to check out the most affordable universities in California to learn more about making the best out of your finances as an international student.