2021 Best Affordable Colleges in California for Students from Canada
48
Colleges
$29,219
Avg Tuition & Fees*
38%
Avg 4-Year Grad Rate*
International students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its Best Value Colleges for Canadian Students in California ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.
We analyzed 48 colleges and universities across California to determine which were the best for Canadian students in California. Instead of depending on subjective information, we focus on objective factors to determine this ranking. These factors include such things as the total number of international students at the school and the school's overall value.
Find out more about our ranking methodology.
One Size Does Not Fit All
We know that one set of rankings doesn't always help you determine the best school for you, so we've created the ability to narrow your list by location as well as alternative rankings that prioritize different factors such as those of importance to online students or returning adults or those who value diversity and overall quality.
You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.
Top Value Colleges in California for Students from Canada
See which schools came out on top of our ranking:
California State University - Long Beach tops this year’s ranking as the best value school for Canadian students in California. Located in Long Beach, California, the large public school handed out 9,179 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
International students make up 6.0% of the total student body at the school. The top three countries sending students to study at CSULB are India, China, and Japan. International students at CSULB can expect to pay, on average, about $18,726 a year to attend the school. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $17,784 per year.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.
Read full report on California State University - Long Beach
A rank of #2 on our list means San Jose State University is a great place for Canadian students in California working on their bachelor’s degree. This large public school is located in San Jose, California, and it awarded 7,192 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
International students make up 10.2% of the total student body at the school. Students from as far away as India, China, and Vietnam come to San Jose State to study. Out-of-state tuition and fees for undergraduates at San Jose State is about $19,732 a year, on average. Graduate students pay around $18,790 a year in average tuition and fees.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.
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The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools for Canadian students in California. This large public school is located in San Luis Obispo, California, and it awarded 5,421 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Of the total number of students at the school, 2.2% are international. The top three countries sending students to study at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo are China, India, and South Korea. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo runs, on average, about $28,105. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $21,133 per year.
With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.
Full California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend San Diego State University. The school came in at #4 in this year’s ranking. San Diego, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 8,719 students in 2020-2021.
Of the total number of students at the school, 5.4% are international. Students from as far away as China, India, and Kuwait come to SDSU to study. Out-of-state tuition and fees for undergraduates at SDSU is about $20,016 a year, on average. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $19,074 per year.
With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.
Full San Diego State University Report
A rank of #5 on our list means California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is a great place for Canadian students in California working on their bachelor’s degree. This large public school is located in Pomona, California, and it awarded 6,526 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Around 5.3% of the total student population at the school is international. The top three countries sending students to study at Cal Poly Pomona are China, Kuwait, and South Korea. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at Cal Poly Pomona runs, on average, about $19,319. Graduate students pay around $18,377 a year in average tuition and fees.
With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.
Read full report on California State Polytechnic University - Pomona
Thomas Aquinas College landed the #6 spot on the 2021 Best Value Colleges for Canadian Students in California. Thomas Aquinas College is a small private not-for-profit school located in Santa Paula, California that handed out 79 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Of the total number of students at the school, 3.7% are international. Students from as far away as Canada, Mexico, and Argentina come to TAC to study. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at TAC runs, on average, about $26,000.
With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.
Full Thomas Aquinas College Report
California State University - Northridge did quite well in the 2021 Best Value Colleges for Canadian Students in California ranking, coming in at #7. Northridge, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 9,572 students in 2020-2021.
Of the total number of students at the school, 6.2% are international. Students studying at CSUN come from such countries as Kuwait, China, and India. International students at CSUN can expect to pay, on average, about $18,923 a year to attend the school. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $17,981 per year.
Read full report on California State University - Northridge
California State University - Fullerton came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Colleges for Canadian Students in California ranking. Fullerton, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 10,010 students in 2020-2021.
International students make up 5.9% of the total student body at the school. The top three countries sending students to study at Cal State Fullerton are India, China, and Kuwait. International students at Cal State Fullerton can expect to pay, on average, about $18,856 a year to attend the school. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $17,914 per year.
With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.
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California State University - Monterey Bay came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Colleges for Canadian Students in California ranking. Located in Seaside, California, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,805 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
International students make up 4.7% of the total student body at the school. Students from as far away as Japan, China, and Germany come to CSUMB to study. Out-of-state tuition and fees for undergraduates at CSUMB is about $19,098 a year, on average. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $18,156 per year.
Full California State University - Monterey Bay Report
San Francisco State University landed the #10 spot on the 2021 Best Value Colleges for Canadian Students in California. SFSU is a public institution located in San Francisco, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6,627 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Around 6.8% of the total student population at the school is international. Students from as far away as China, India, and Japan come to SFSU to study. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at SFSU runs, on average, about $19,184. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $18,242 per year.
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With a ranking of #11, California State University - Sacramento did quite well on the 2021 Best Value Colleges for Canadian Students in California. Sac State is a public institution located in Sacramento, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 7,644 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Around 3.9% of the total student population at the school is international. Students studying at Sac State come from such countries as India, China, and South Korea. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at Sac State runs, on average, about $19,272. Graduate students pay around $18,330 a year in average tuition and fees.
Full California State University - Sacramento Report
With a ranking of #12, California State University - East Bay did quite well on the 2021 Best Value Colleges for Canadian Students in California. Cal State East Bay is a public institution located in Hayward, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 4,189 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Of the total number of students at the school, 7.2% are international. Students studying at Cal State East Bay come from such countries as China, India, and Saudi Arabia. Out-of-state tuition and fees for undergraduates at Cal State East Bay is about $18,875 a year, on average. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $17,933 per year.
Read full report on California State University - East Bay
With a ranking of #13, California State University - Los Angeles did quite well on the 2021 Best Value Colleges for Canadian Students in California. Cal State LA is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 5,742 bachelor’s degrees to qualified undergraduates.
International students make up 6.1% of the total student body at the school. Students from as far away as India, China, and Saudi Arabia come to Cal State LA to study. International students at Cal State LA can expect to pay, on average, about $18,665 a year to attend the school. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $17,723 per year.
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California State University - San Bernardino ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Colleges for Canadian Students in California list. CSUSB is a public institution located in San Bernardino, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 4,061 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Around 5.7% of the total student population at the school is international. The top three countries sending students to study at CSUSB are Saudi Arabia, China, and South Korea. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at CSUSB runs, on average, about $19,093. Graduate students pay around $18,151 a year in average tuition and fees.
Read full report on California State University - San Bernardino
The Master’s University and Seminary ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Colleges for Canadian Students in California list. The Master’s University is located in Santa Clarita, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 270 bachelor’s degrees to qualified undergraduates.
Of the total number of students at the school, 1.3% are international. The top three countries sending students to study at The Master’s University are Canada, South Africa, and South Korea. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at The Master’s University runs, on average, about $28,740. Graduate students pay around $8,580 a year in average tuition and fees.
Full The Master’s University and Seminary Report
California Baptist University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Colleges for Canadian Students in California ranking. Riverside, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 2,008 students in 2020-2021.
Around 2.8% of the total student population at the school is international. The top three countries sending students to study at Cal Baptist are China, India, and Rwanda. International students at Cal Baptist can expect to pay, on average, about $37,018 a year to attend the school. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $14,320 per year.
Read full report on California Baptist University
Point Loma Nazarene University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Colleges for Canadian Students in California list. San Diego, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 954 students in 2020-2021.
Around 0.9% of the total student population at the school is international. The top three countries sending students to study at PLNU are China, Germany, and Canada. International students at PLNU can expect to pay, on average, about $39,500 a year to attend the school. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $11,880 per year.
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La Sierra University landed the #18 spot on the 2021 Best Value Colleges for Canadian Students in California. La Sierra is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Riverside, California. It awarded 334 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Around 11.1% of the total student population at the school is international. Students from as far away as China, South Korea, and Brazil come to La Sierra to study. International students at La Sierra can expect to pay, on average, about $34,218 a year to attend the school. Graduate students pay around $15,997 a year in average tuition and fees.
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Biola University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Colleges for Canadian Students in California ranking. Located in La Mirada, California, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 826 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
International students make up 9.3% of the total student body at the school. Students from as far away as South Korea, Indonesia, and China come to Biola to study. International students at Biola can expect to pay, on average, about $44,382 a year to attend the school. Graduate students pay around $12,006 a year in average tuition and fees.
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Azusa Pacific University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Colleges for Canadian Students in California ranking. Azusa Pacific is located in Azusa, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,501 bachelor’s degrees to qualified undergraduates.
International students make up 3.3% of the total student body at the school. Students from as far away as China, South Korea, and Taiwan come to Azusa Pacific to study. Out-of-state tuition and fees for undergraduates at Azusa Pacific is about $41,510 a year, on average. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $16,696 per year.
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University of California - San Diego ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Colleges for Canadian Students in California list. This large public school is located in La Jolla, California, and it awarded 9,086 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Around 21.4% of the total student population at the school is international. The top three countries sending students to study at UCSD are China, India, and South Korea. International students at UCSD can expect to pay, on average, about $44,454 a year to attend the school. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $28,666 per year.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full University of California - San Diego Report
University of California - Los Angeles did quite well in the 2021 Best Value Colleges for Canadian Students in California ranking, coming in at #22. UCLA is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 10,102 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Around 13.8% of the total student population at the school is international. Students studying at UCLA come from such countries as China, South Korea, and India. Out-of-state tuition and fees for undergraduates at UCLA is about $43,012 a year, on average. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $28,138 per year.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on University of California - Los Angeles
University of California - Irvine came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Colleges for Canadian Students in California ranking. This large public school is located in Irvine, California, and it awarded 9,882 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Of the total number of students at the school, 18.4% are international. Students studying at UC Irvine come from such countries as China, India, and South Korea. Out-of-state tuition and fees for undergraduates at UC Irvine is about $43,529 a year, on average. Graduate students pay around $28,458 a year in average tuition and fees.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on University of California - Irvine
University of La Verne ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Colleges for Canadian Students in California list. Located in La Verne, California, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 1,220 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Of the total number of students at the school, 5.5% are international. Students from as far away as China, Taiwan, and Qatar come to ULV to study. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at ULV runs, on average, about $45,850. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $14,520 per year.
Full University of La Verne Report
University of California - Davis landed the #25 spot on the 2021 Best Value Colleges for Canadian Students in California. UC Davis is a large public school situated in Davis, California. It awarded 9,846 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
International students make up 17.5% of the total student body at the school. The top three countries sending students to study at UC Davis are China, India, and South Korea. International students at UC Davis can expect to pay, on average, about $44,399 a year to attend the school. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $28,710 per year.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.
Read full report on University of California - Davis
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