Top Universities in California for International Students
Compare 8 of the best universities in California for international students — QS 2026 rankings, tuition fees, intakes, TOEFL/IELTS requirements and scholarships — and get free admission and F-1 visa guidance from GIEC Global.
Approx. $62,000 – $70,000 per year (undergraduate tuition; varies by program)
Intakes
Fall (August/September) — main intake; some graduate programs also admit in Spring (January)
English
TOEFL iBT around 100 or IELTS Academic 7.0+ is typically expected (requirements vary by school and program)
Stanford University in Stanford, California. Stanford sits in the heart of Silicon Valley and is closely linked with the technology and start-up ecosystem of the San Francisco Bay Area.
Approx. $62,000 – $70,000 per year (undergraduate tuition; varies by program)
Intakes
Fall (August/September) — main intake; some graduate programs also admit in Spring (January)
English
TOEFL iBT around 100 or IELTS Academic 7.0+ is typically expected (requirements vary by school and program)
California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in Pasadena, California. Caltech is a small, highly selective institute focused on science and engineering.
Approx. $46,000 – $52,000 per year (non-resident undergraduate tuition and fees)
Intakes
Fall (August) — main intake; Spring (January) for selected programs
English
TOEFL iBT around 100 or IELTS Academic 7.0+ is typically expected (requirements vary by school and program)
University of California, Berkeley in Berkeley, California. UC Berkeley is the founding campus of the University of California system, located in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Approx. $46,000 – $52,000 per year (non-resident undergraduate tuition and fees)
Intakes
Fall (August) — main intake; Spring (January) for selected programs
English
TOEFL iBT around 100 or IELTS Academic 7.0+ is typically expected (requirements vary by school and program)
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in Los Angeles, California. UCLA is a public research university in Los Angeles and one of the most applied-to universities in the United States.
Approx. $46,000 – $52,000 per year (non-resident undergraduate tuition and fees)
Intakes
Fall (August) — main intake; Spring (January) for selected programs
English
TOEFL iBT around 80–100 or IELTS Academic 6.5–7.0 (requirements vary by program)
University of California, San Diego (UCSD) in San Diego, California. UC San Diego sits on the Pacific coast in La Jolla and is part of the University of California system.
Approx. $46,000 – $52,000 per year (non-resident undergraduate tuition and fees)
Intakes
Fall (August) — main intake; Spring (January) for selected programs
English
TOEFL iBT around 80–100 or IELTS Academic 6.5–7.0 (requirements vary by program)
University of California, Davis in Davis, California. UC Davis is part of the University of California system and is especially well known for agriculture, veterinary medicine, environmental sciences and engineering.
Approx. $62,000 – $70,000 per year (undergraduate tuition; varies by program)
Intakes
Fall (August/September) — main intake; some graduate programs also admit in Spring (January)
English
TOEFL iBT around 100 or IELTS Academic 7.0+ is typically expected (requirements vary by school and program)
University of Southern California in Los Angeles, California. USC is a private research university in Los Angeles, close to the city's entertainment, media and technology industries.
California is home to 8 of the top 50 US universities in the QS World University Rankings 2026, including Stanford University. Students get access to world-class teaching, research labs, internships and employers across the state.
Top universities in California for international students
Stanford University — QS 2026 #3, Stanford
California Institute of Technology (Caltech) — QS 2026 #10, Pasadena
University of California, Berkeley — QS 2026 #17, Berkeley
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) — QS 2026 #46, Los Angeles
University of California, San Diego (UCSD) — QS 2026 #66, San Diego
University of California, Davis — QS 2026 #114, Davis
University of Southern California — QS 2026 #146, Los Angeles
University of California, Santa Barbara — QS 2026 #179, Santa Barbara
Compare universities in California
The table compares ranking, international tuition, intakes and English requirements. Figures are approximate — always confirm them on the official university website.
Approx. $46,000 – $52,000 per year (non-resident undergraduate tuition and fees)
Fall (August) — main intake; Spring (January) for selected programs
TOEFL iBT around 80–100 or IELTS Academic 6.5–7.0 (requirements vary by program)
Admission requirements to study in California
Undergraduate: Class 12 / high-school transcripts, essays, recommendations and English test scores, usually through the Common App, the UC Application (University of California) or the university’s own portal. SAT/ACT policies vary by university.
Master’s and PhD: a relevant bachelor’s degree, statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, CV and English scores; some programs ask for the GRE or GMAT.
English: TOEFL iBT, IELTS Academic and, at many universities, the Duolingo English Test.
Cost of studying in California
Annual tuition for international undergraduates in our list ranges from roughly $28,000 at some public universities to $70,000 at leading private universities. Add housing, food, health insurance and travel. To receive the Form I-20 you must show funds covering the estimated cost of your first year.
Intakes and deadlines
Fall (August/September) is the main intake. Some graduate programs also admit students in Spring (January). Undergraduate early deadlines are usually in November and regular deadlines in early January; graduate deadlines are mostly between December and February.
F-1 student visa and work after graduation
After you accept an offer and show proof of funds, the university issues a Form I-20. You then pay the SEVIS I-901 fee and apply for an F-1 student visa at a US embassy or consulate.
F-1 students can usually work on campus up to 20 hours a week while classes are in session and full-time during official breaks. After graduation, Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows up to 12 months of work, and graduates of eligible STEM degrees can apply for a 24-month STEM OPT extension. Immigration rules can change, so always check the latest official guidance.
How GIEC Global helps you study in California
GIEC Global counsellors help you shortlist universities in California, prepare essays and SOPs, apply for scholarships and complete your F-1 visa application — free of cost.
FAQs: Studying at Universities in California
01Which are the top universities in California for international students?
Stanford University (QS #3), California Institute of Technology (Caltech) (QS #10), University of California, Berkeley (QS #17), University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) (QS #46), University of California, San Diego (UCSD) (QS #66), University of California, Davis (QS #114). See the full list and comparison table on this page.
02What is the cost of studying in California?
Undergraduate tuition for international students ranges from roughly $28,000 to $70,000 a year depending on the university, plus living costs. Graduate and professional programs have their own fees.
03What are the intakes for universities in California?
Fall (August/September) is the main intake; some graduate programs also offer a Spring (January) intake.
04Which English test do I need to study in California?
Most universities accept TOEFL iBT and IELTS Academic, and many also accept the Duolingo English Test. Top universities typically expect TOEFL around 100 or IELTS 7.0+.
05Can international students work while studying in California?
Yes. F-1 students can usually work on campus up to 20 hours a week during term and full-time during breaks, and can apply for OPT after graduation.
06How can GIEC Global help me study in California?
GIEC Global offers free counselling, shortlisting, SOP and essay help, application support and F-1 visa guidance.
