2021 Best Affordable Colleges for International Students in California
76
Colleges
$22,530
Avg Tuition & Fees*
31%
Avg 4-Year Grad Rate*
When pursuing a degree in today's world, international students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its Best Value Colleges for International Students in California ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.
After analyzing 76 schools in California, we came up with our list of those that offered the best educational experiences for international students in California. To come up with this ranking, we look at a number of factors that are all objective measurements. These factors include the school's overall value as determined by our Best Colleges for the Money ranking and the percentage of international students on campus.
See what other factors we include in our ranking methodology.
Custom Rankings
We've developed a number of other tools and rankings to help you make your college decision. Start by filtering this list by location and then explore our other rankings that feature schools great for different groups of students such as online students or returnings adults.
One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don't have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.
Top Value Colleges in California for International Students
See which schools came out on top of our ranking:
Our 2021 rankings named California State University - Long Beach the best affordable school for international students in California working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in Long Beach, California, the large public school awarded 9,179 diplomas to qualified bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.
Around 6.0% of the total student population at the school is international. Students studying at CSULB come from such countries as 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.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
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The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at California State University - Fullerton helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools for international students in California. Located in Fullerton, California, the large public school awarded 10,010 diplomas to qualified bachelor’s degree 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. Out-of-state tuition and fees for undergraduates at Cal State Fullerton is about $18,856 a year, on average. 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.
Full California State University - Fullerton Report
A rank of #3 on our list means San Diego State University is a great place for international students in California working on their bachelor’s degree. This large public school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 8,719 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Around 5.4% of the total student population at the school is international. Students from as far away as China, India, and Kuwait come to SDSU to study. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at SDSU runs, on average, about $20,016. Graduate students pay around $19,074 a year in average tuition and fees.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.
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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend San Jose State University. It ranked #4 on our 2021 Best Colleges for international students in California list. San Jose State is located in San Jose, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 7,192 bachelor’s degrees to qualified undergraduates.
Around 10.2% of the total student population at the school is international. 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. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $18,790 per year.
With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.
Full San Jose State University Report
Out of the 76 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo landed the #5 spot on the list. California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is a large public school located in San Luis Obispo, California that handed out 5,421 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Around 2.2% of the total student population at the school is international. Students studying at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo come from such countries as 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. Graduate students pay around $21,133 a year in average tuition and fees.
With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.
Read full report on California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo
California State Polytechnic University - Pomona did quite well in the 2021 Best Value Colleges for international Students in California ranking, coming in at #6. Cal Poly Pomona is a large public school situated in Pomona, California. It awarded 6,526 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
International students make up 5.3% of the total student body at the school. Students from as far away as China, Kuwait, and South Korea come to Cal Poly Pomona to study. 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.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.
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Thomas Aquinas College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Colleges for international Students in California ranking. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Santa Paula, California, and it awarded 79 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Of the total number of students at the school, 3.7% are international. Students studying at TAC come from such countries as Canada, Mexico, and Argentina. International students at TAC can expect to pay, on average, about $26,000 a year to attend the school.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.
Full Thomas Aquinas College Report
With a ranking of #8, California State University - Chico did quite well on the 2021 Best Value Colleges for international Students in California. Chico State is located in Chico, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 4,313 bachelor’s degrees to qualified undergraduates.
Around 2.6% of the total student population at the school is international. Students studying at Chico State come from such countries as Saudi Arabia, India, and China. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at Chico State runs, on average, about $19,744. Graduate students pay around $18,802 a year in average tuition and fees.
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California State University - Northridge ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Colleges for international Students in California list. This large public school is located in Northridge, California, and it awarded 9,572 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Of the total number of students at the school, 6.2% are international. The top three countries sending students to study at CSUN are Kuwait, China, and India. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at CSUN runs, on average, about $18,923. Graduate students pay around $17,981 a year in average tuition and fees.
Full California State University - Northridge Report
California State University - Monterey Bay landed the #10 spot on the 2021 Best Value Colleges for international Students in California. CSUMB is a medium-sized public school situated in Seaside, California. It awarded 1,805 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Of the total number of students at the school, 4.7% are international. Students from as far away as Japan, China, and Germany come to CSUMB to study. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at CSUMB runs, on average, about $19,098. Graduate students pay around $18,156 a year in average tuition and fees.
Read full report on California State University - Monterey Bay
Soka University of America came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Colleges for international Students in California ranking. Soka University is located in Aliso Viejo, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 85 bachelor’s degrees to qualified undergraduates.
International students make up 48.4% of the total student body at the school. The top three countries sending students to study at Soka University are Japan, Nepal, and India. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at Soka University runs, on average, about $34,166. Graduate students pay around $34,166 a year in average tuition and fees.
The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.
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San Francisco State University did quite well in the 2021 Best Value Colleges for international Students in California ranking, coming in at #12. 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. The top three countries sending students to study at SFSU are China, India, and Japan. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at SFSU runs, on average, about $19,184. Graduate students pay around $18,242 a year in average tuition and fees.
Full San Francisco State University Report
With a ranking of #13, California State University - San Marcos did quite well on the 2021 Best Value Colleges for international Students in California. California State University - San Marcos is a fairly large public school located in San Marcos, California that handed out 3,749 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Around 3.8% of the total student population at the school is international. Students studying at CSUSM come from such countries as China, Japan, and Saudi Arabia. International students at CSUSM can expect to pay, on average, about $19,607 a year to attend the school. Graduate students pay around $18,665 a year in average tuition and fees.
Read full report on California State University - San Marcos
California State University - San Bernardino came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Colleges for international Students in California ranking. CSUSB is a fairly large public school situated in San Bernardino, California. It awarded 4,061 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Of the total number of students at the school, 5.7% are international. Students studying at CSUSB come from such countries as 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 did quite well in the 2021 Best Value Colleges for international Students in California ranking, coming in at #15. The Master’s University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Santa Clarita, California. It awarded 270 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
International students make up 1.3% of the total student body at the school. Students studying at The Master’s University come from such countries as Canada, South Africa, and South Korea. International students at The Master’s University can expect to pay, on average, about $28,740 a year to attend the school. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $8,580 per year.
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California State University - Sacramento came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Colleges for international Students in California ranking. Sac State is located in Sacramento, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 7,644 bachelor’s degrees to qualified undergraduates.
Around 3.9% of the total student population at the school is international. The top three countries sending students to study at Sac State are India, China, and South Korea. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at Sac State runs, on average, about $19,272. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $18,330 per year.
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California State University Maritime Academy ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Colleges for international Students in California list. Vallejo, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 139 students in 2020-2021.
Around 0.8% of the total student population at the school is international. Students from as far away as Vietnam, China, and Panama come to Cal Maritime to study. International students at Cal Maritime can expect to pay, on average, about $18,996 a year to attend the school.
Read full report on California State University Maritime Academy
California State University - Channel Islands came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Colleges for international Students in California ranking. Camarillo, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 2,147 students in 2020-2021.
Of the total number of students at the school, 3.6% are international. Students from as far away as Germany, India, and France come to CSUCI to study. International students at CSUCI can expect to pay, on average, about $18,697 a year to attend the school. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $17,755 per year.
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With a ranking of #19, California State University - East Bay did quite well on the 2021 Best Value Colleges for international Students in California. Located in Hayward, California, the fairly large public school handed out 4,189 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Around 7.2% of the total student population at the school is international. Students studying at Cal State East Bay come from such countries as China, India, and Saudi Arabia. International students at Cal State East Bay can expect to pay, on average, about $18,875 a year to attend the school. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $17,933 per year.
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Sonoma State University landed the #20 spot on the 2021 Best Value Colleges for international Students in California. Rohnert Park, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 2,038 students in 2020-2021.
Around 3.1% of the total student population at the school is international. Students from as far away as Japan, China, and Germany come to SSU to study. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at SSU runs, on average, about $19,868. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $18,926 per year.
Full Sonoma State University Report
With a ranking of #21, California State University - Los Angeles did quite well on the 2021 Best Value Colleges for international Students in California. Located in Los Angeles, California, the large public school awarded 5,742 diplomas to qualified bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.
Around 6.1% of the total student population at the school is international. The top three countries sending students to study at Cal State LA are India, China, and Saudi Arabia. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at Cal State LA runs, on average, about $18,665. Graduate students pay around $17,723 a year in average tuition and fees.
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Mills College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Colleges for international Students in California list. Oakland, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 183 students in 2020-2021.
Of the total number of students at the school, 1.4% are international. Students studying at Mills come from such countries as China, Japan, and India. Out-of-state tuition and fees for undergraduates at Mills is about $30,950 a year, on average. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $36,443 per year.
The student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.
Read full report on Mills College
Pacific Union College did quite well in the 2021 Best Value Colleges for international Students in California ranking, coming in at #23. PUC is located in Angwin, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 189 bachelor’s degrees to qualified undergraduates.
Of the total number of students at the school, 3.2% are international. Students studying at PUC come from such countries as South Korea, Vietnam, and China. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at PUC runs, on average, about $32,103. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $32,103 per year.
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California State University - Stanislaus did quite well in the 2021 Best Value Colleges for international Students in California ranking, coming in at #24. Located in Turlock, California, the fairly large public school handed out 2,507 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
International students make up 3.7% of the total student body at the school. Students studying at Stan State come from such countries as China, Saudi Arabia, and India. International students at Stan State can expect to pay, on average, about $19,524 a year to attend the school. Graduate students pay around $18,582 a year in average tuition and fees.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
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With a ranking of #25, William Jessup University did quite well on the 2021 Best Value Colleges for international Students in California. William Jessup University is located in Rocklin, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 259 bachelor’s degrees to qualified undergraduates.
International students make up 15.3% of the total student body at the school. The top three countries sending students to study at William Jessup University are India, China, and Hong Kong. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at William Jessup University runs, on average, about $37,000. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $14,527 per year.
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