The next time you are searching for the best universities in the USA, do consider California. Do you want to know why? California is one of the top economies and global hub for technology, education and information industries in USA. With its world class universities, welcoming attitude for international students, excellent climate, high living standard, and cutting-edge modern world technologies, California is a great place to study.
Universities in California are recognised for their developed high quality academics, low costs engineering and technology programs. There are many cheap universities in California for international students providing the best quality of education at an affordable cost. So, if you are willing to study in California but don't have enough expenses, this blog will guide you with the best low cost universities in California along with its rankings, tuition fees, and much more.
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What are the Benefits of Studying in Universities in California?
California universities and colleges host thousands of international students across the world. These universities play an integral role in transforming the state and lives of individuals through higher education. Being the largest university system in the country with a range of best affordable colleges in California you will get valuable education access along with life changing degrees. Here are some of the benefits of choosing inexpensive colleges in California.
- Top Universities: California is home to the world's best private and public universities, most often outranks many Ivy leagues in terms of its academic excellence and overall reputation. Some are also affordable colleges in California for international students. In QS World University Rankings 2023, out of the top universities Stanford and CalTech ranks at the Top 10 rankings. Also, there are some other universities too that are ranked top.
- World Class Faculty: The faculties of most affordable colleges in California are among the best and brightest in their profession addressing their equity gaps. They are leaders engaged with students, helping them to learn in practical and theoretical ways that prepare them for the future.
- International Community: Because of the world cultural heritage and history, it is one of the most diversified states in the USA. Around 43% of the population speaks a language other than English in California, making it a multicultural environment. Also, UC Berkeley alone has nearly 2000 international students from different countries like India, South Korea, China etc. This will give you the opportunity to meet the global minds in the university.
- Career Opportunities: Top tech companies like Apple, Google, Meta and Netflix are located in California. Studying in both costly and cheap universities in California will put you in the heart of the latest modern opportunities. Because of these top companies, it is a perfect place for you to start your career. Its thriving economy and abundance of career opportunities, you will get perfect jobs that suit your skills.
Suggested: Guide to Studying in USA
Now that you know some of the benefits for studying in California. Let's look at some of the cheap universities in California for international students:
List of Top 10 Affordable Universities in California For International Students
The cost of studying abroad is one of the many things students need to consider before finalizing on any university. Generally the fees vary based on the type of program you want to study in the university. However, public and private universities also differ in terms of tuition fees. So, students need to look at universities which are excellent as well as affordable too. Here we have curated a list of affordable universities in California for international students:
- San Diego State University
- Golden Gate University
- University of Massachusetts
- California State University San Marcos
- California State University, Dominguez Hills
- California State University, Stanislaus
- California State University, Long Beach
- Alliant International University
- California State University, Northridge
- San Francisco State University
Let's discuss the least expensive universities in California.
1. San Diego State University
San Diego State University has grown to be a leading public university and is a federally designated Hispanic serving institution in California. Every year the university provides more than 36,000 students with the opportunity to participate in an academic curriculum designed by direct contact with the faculty and international emphasis, preparing them for the future. It offers over 97 bachelor's degrees, 84 master's, 23 doctoral degrees and 82 certificate programs. The university is counted amongst the most affordable universities in California for masters degree.
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1001-1200 |
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University Type |
Public |
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Admission Scores |
GPA: 3.0 TOEFL iBT: 80 IELTS: 6.5 PTE: 58 |
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Average Annual Fees (including mandatory fees)
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Bachelor's: 20,078 USD Masters: 9,608 USD |
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Courses Offered |
Arts and Letters Education Engineering Graduate Studies Health and Human Services Fine Arts Science Business |
2. Golden Gate University
GGU is one of the oldest universities enrolling thousands of students and representing more than 68,000 alumni globally. Through their best quality education, the university helps people achieve their professional goals by providing undergraduate and graduate education in law, taxation, business, accounting and related areas. Its programs bridge advanced concepts related to the areas and equip the learner with the skills and knowledge to compete in the evolving realities of the profession.
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NA |
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University Type |
Private |
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Admission Scores
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GPA: 3.0 TOEFL iBT: 79 IELTS: 6.5 PTE: 57 |
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Average Annual Fees (including mandatory fees)
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Bachelor's: 12,711 USD Masters: 19,705 USD |
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Programs Offered |
Accounting Business Data Analytics Psychology Law Management Public Administration |
Suggested: MBA in USA
3. University of Massachusetts
The University of Massachusetts is a world class research institution with a revolutionary spirit inspiring academics to challenge the conventions, rethink expectations and work tirelessly towards the changing world. It offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs, both full-time and part-time, interdisciplinary majors and a robust online learning community. The university provides the flexibility to design your major through a bachelor's degree with an individual concentration program.
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253 |
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University Type |
Public |
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Admission Scores
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GPA: 3.0 TOEFL iBT: 79 IELTS: 6.5 PTE: 57 |
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Average Annual Fees (including mandatory fees)
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Bachelor's: 36,964 USD Masters: 32,809 USD |
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Programs Offered |
Education Engineering Humanities and Fine Arts Natural Science Nursing Social and Behavioral Sciences Management Public Health Agriculture |
4. California State University San Marcos
CSUSM is a forward-focused institution preparing future leaders to build great communities and solve critical issues. With over 16,000 enrollments, the university is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Provides admissions to 43 bachelor degrees, 39 minors, 24 masters and 8 credential degree programs. From nursing to biotechnology to business, its post baccalaureate degrees provide a superior academic and professional education to learners.
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QS World University Rankings 2024 |
NA |
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University Type |
Public |
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Admission Scores
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GPA: 2.5 TOEFL iBT: 80 IELTS: 6.5 PTE: 57 |
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Average Annual Fees (including mandatory fees)
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Bachelor's: 19,607 USD Masters: 18,665 USD |
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Programs Offered |
Humanities Arts and Social Sciences Business Administration Education Science, Technology & Engineering Mathematics |
Suggested: Masters in USA
5. California State University, Dominguez Hills
California State University, Dominguez Hills is a highly diverse metropolitan university that primarily serves the South Bay area of Los Angeles County. The university offers a wide selection of affordable degrees respected by some leading employers and reflecting today's most relevant, dynamic and in-demand fields. Its undergraduate majors, options and concentrations and graduate degree programs and options certificate and credential program provides flexibility to students to let them customize their education to meet the academic and professional goals.
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QS World University Rankings 2023 |
NA |
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University Type |
Public |
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Admission Scores
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GPA: 3.0 TOEFL iBT: 80 IELTS: 6.5 PTE: 58 |
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Average Annual Fees (including mandatory fees)
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Bachelor's: 18,940 USD Masters: 17,998 USD |
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Programs Offered |
Arts & Humanities Business Administration & Public Policy Education Natural & Sciences Health Human Services & Nursing |
6. California State University, Stanislaus
CSUS is an exceptional public university for its student-friendly environment and commitment to excellence. It offers a broader array of majors taught by some widely recognised dedicated faculty. Its high-quality academic program offers more than 171 undergraduate majors, minors and concentrations, and master's degrees in 14 programs. Also, an Executive and online MBAs, a doctorate degree in education, credentials in teaching preparation and professional areas and over 2,0000 courses.
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NA |
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University Type |
Public |
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Admission Scores
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GPA: 2.5 TOEFL iBT: 75 IELTS: 6.5 |
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Average Annual Fees (including mandatory fees)
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Bachelor's: 16,580 USD Masters: 15,638 USD |
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Programs Offered |
Arts Humanities & Social Sciences Business Administration Education & Social Work Science Mathematics |
Suggested: Universities in Boston
7. California State University, Long Beach
CSU Long Beach aims to enrich its students' lives through globally informed, high impactful educational experiences with superior teaching, research, creative activity and action for the public goods. The university offers a wide range of programs through its different colleges and departments of arts, business, education, engineering, health & human service, liberal arts, professional & continuing education and natural science & mathematics.
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1401 |
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University Type |
Public |
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Admission Scores
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GPA: 3.0 TOEFL iBT: 80 IELTS: 6.0 PTE: 58 |
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Average Annual Fees (including mandatory fees)
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Bachelor's: 18,726 USD Masters: 17,784 USD |
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Programs Offered |
Arts Business Education Engineering Health & Human Services Liberal Arts Natural Science & Mathematics |
8. Alliant International University
Studying at Alliant International University prepares you with the skills and confidence needed to make an impact on these communities and across the world. Psychology, education, business, law, forensic sciences, and hospitality are popular areas of study. Many of its graduate programs offer hands-on experience through a combination of internships, practicality, consulting, and the community service projects that will ensure you get the professional practice needed to excel in the field.
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QS World University Rankings 2023 |
NA |
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University Type |
Private |
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Admission Scores
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GPA: 2.5 TOEFL iBT: 70 IELTS: 6.0 PTE: 50 |
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Average Annual Fees (including mandatory fees)
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Bachelor's: 17,676 USD Masters: 16,046 USD |
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Programs Offered |
Professional Psychology Education Management and Leadership Forensic Science Law Medical |
Suggested: Universities in Maryland
9. California State University, Northridge
CSUN leads among the best and most respected colleges and universities in the USA putting thousands of students into the workforce every year. Around 71% of the population are first generation college students studying in 147 undergraduate majors and 105 master's degree programs. Psychology, Radio-television broadcast, and criminal justice are among the top 3 most popular majors of the university.
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QS World University Rankings 2023 |
NA |
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University Type |
Public |
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Admission Scores
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GPA: 2.5 TOEFL iBT: 70 IELTS: 6.0 PTE: 50 |
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Average Annual Fees (including mandatory fees)
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Bachelor's: 18,944 USD Masters: 18,007 USD |
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Programs Offered |
Arts Media and Communications Business and Economics Education Engineering & Computer Science Health & Human Development Humanities Science & Mathematics |
10. San Francisco State University
San Francisco State University is home to the nation's first college of ethnic studies, it has a long standing commitment to inclusiveness and social justice expressed through its programs, initiatives and services. Its range of programs emerge from your studies with a breadth and depth of knowledge and understanding developed by integrating your coursework and academic experiences in both general education and majors.
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1201-1400 |
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University Type |
Public |
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Admission Scores
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GPA: 3.0 TOEFL iBT: 70 IELTS: 6.0 PTE: 50 |
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Average Annual Fees (including mandatory fees)
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Bachelor's: 19,184 USD Masters: 18,242 USD |
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Programs Offered |
Liberal & Creative Arts Business Education Ethnic Studies Health & Social Sciences Science & Engineering |
Suggested: Scholarships for MS in USA
With this we can say that it is not an easy task to decide when it comes to choosing among the cheap colleges in California for international students. There are many cheap colleges in California with different cost structures and top notch education. These universities usually provide excellent career opportunities and high ROI. If you are finding any difficulty in picking the best from the cheap universities in California for international students, connect with our Yocket Counselors today!
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