California is one of the best places in the world to study with its world-class education, great weather, fantastic campus locations, solid labor market, and of course, the biggest companies looking to hire great talent. It’s no wonder that over 130,000 international students are studying at universities in California each year. With Universities in California range between The University of California, California State Universities, community colleges, and private schools, you are certain to find a school that is a perfect fit! Let’s take a deeper look at Universities in California, where you should apply and tips to get in!
Straightforward Look at the universities in california (University of California, California State University, community colleges, and private schools)
To get a better understanding of Universities in California we will explain them by UC, Cal State, community college and private systems.
The University of California system is seen as more prestigious and is better known than California State University (Cal States), community colleges, and some smaller private schools. After all, the University of California, Los Angeles is the most applied to school in the United States. On the contrary, popularity doesn’t mean the University of California system is the best for you.
The California State University System has 23 campuses throughout the state and is a great bargain for the quality of education. Community Colleges are the most affordable and flexible as they offer certifications, associate degrees, and general courses leading toward a bachelor’s degree.
Unlike the school systems listed above, private schools are mostly privately funded and vary widely in terms of education, reputation, location, campus culture, and cost.
Stanford University is considered to be the best private university, in California, followed by California Institute of Technology, The Claremont Colleges (Pomona College admit rate 6.6%, Harvey Mudd College admit rate 14%, Claremont McKenna College admit rate 8.91%, Pitzer College admit rate 13%, Scripps College 29%), and the University of Southern California. While these schools are quite selective and difficult to get into, there are many other private schools with much higher admit rates and quality education.
Universities in California – The University of California
The University of California System has nine campuses throughout California. Some campuses are in the most exciting locations of the state like Los Angeles, San Diego, or Berkeley but others are in more quiet settings such as Irvine or Davis. All nine University of California campuses vary widely by campus culture, number of students, campus size, location, etc. You are bound to find a perfect school for you with so many different campuses. And you can apply to all nine campuses by using one application.
Benefits of Attending The University of California
World-class education – The University of California campuses are regularly ranked amongst the top universities in the world. Students attending receive an excellent education from leaders at the top of their field.
Focus on Research – According to the University of California Accountability Report, UCs collectively spend about $5 billion a year on research and development. Students are researching real-world problems that range from Genome sequencing to particle physics and everything in between.
Location – Not only are most of the the campuses concentrated in some of the more exciting parts of the state but they are also in close proximity to the biggest employers who regularly recruit from the University of California.
Which University of California should I apply to? (Match & Fit)
Increase your chances of being admitted by concentrating your efforts on schools that are a good Match and Fit.
Match – Your academic measurable factors, like GPA, Rank, and TOEFL/IELTS scores compared to those of the school
For example, your GPA is 3.8 and the school’s average is 3.8
Fit – School’s offerings (location, cost, majors, etc.) are what you are looking for.
How to find your Match and Fit
Match
The University of California uses specific courses (called A-G courses) to calculate domestic student Grade Point Average (GPA). Admissions will review all International students’ coursework but knowing your GPA will allow you to compare your profile to that of the students.
2. 15-Yearlong Academic Courses
All UCs require the completion of specific courses or curricula and vary by country.
3. TOEFL/IELTS
English language proficiency exams are usually required as part of the admissions application. Each UC has different requirements but from the chart below you can see they range from 80 – 83 on the TOEFL and 6.5 – 7 on the IELTS
The University of California TOEFL and IELTS Requirements
| The University of California TOEFL and IELTS Requirements | ||||||
| University of California | Applicants | Admits | Admit Rate | GPA of middle 25% – 75% students | TOEFL | IELTS |
| Berkeley | 128,225 | 14,603 | 11.40% | 4.17 – 4.31 | 80 | 6.5 |
| Davis | 94,759 | 35,563 | 37.50% | 4.06 – 4.30 | 80 | 7 |
| Irvine | 119,209 | 25,023 | 21% | 4.08 – 4.29 | 80 | 6.5 |
| UCLA | 149,813 | 12,825 | 8.60% | 4.21- 4.33 | 80 | 7 |
| Merced | 29,914 | 27,046 | 90.40% | 3.50 – 4.08 | 80 | 6.5 |
| Riverside | 54,687 | 37,262 | 68.10% | 3.81 – 4.20 | 80 | 7 |
| San Diego | 131,245 | 31,160 | 23.70% | 4.12 – 4.30 | 83 | 7 |
| Santa Barbara | 111,000 | 28,701 | 25.90% | 4.15 – 4.31 | 80 | 6.5 |
| Santa Cruz | 66,034 | 31,075 | 47.10% | 3.94 – 4.25 | 80 | 6.5 |
Fit
Moreover, You shouldn’t apply to a school solely based on how academically competitive you are at that school. After all, you’ll have to live on that campus for at least four years. You should consider factors like the location and the culture of each school. Fortunately, all University of California campuses are big enough that you will find most of what is important to you. But each campus does have an overall culture.
You will have to determine what is important to you. If your religious community is essential to you, you will want to prioritize schools close to religious communities. For others, location, size of school, and access to internships may be important. Everyone will have different fit factors. Consider the factors below.
Fit Factors for International Students
- Cost
- Scholarships for International Students
- Location (State, urban, suburb, rural)
- Percentage of International Students
- Religious Communities in the Area
- Strength of Local Economy
- Jobs in the Area
- Internship Opportunities
- Diversity at school
- Support Services for International Students (Does the school offer staff to help international students transition to the school, meet others, answer visa questions, etc.?)
- Class size
- Others – Consider other factors that are important to you.
Universities in California – University of California Campuses
UC Berkeley
UC Davis
UC Irvine
UCLA
UC Merced
UC Riverside
UC San Diego
UC Santa Barbara
UC Santa Cruz
University of California, Berkeley
The campus culture and the feel at Berkeley can be described as eclectic, energetic, and exciting. Students like to be politically active, they have school spirit and it’s a school tradition to play pranks on their rival Stanford University. Only about a third of students live in campus housing. Nonetheless, there is no real divide as the school blends right into the city and other areas where students live.
International Community
With over 7,800 international students, the University of California, Berkeley is one of the universities with the highest population of international students. International students participate in all aspects of the campus but there are services that are dedicated to them. The International Office at Berkeley supports international students by hosting fun events, outings, workshops, peer mentoring and many other services.
UC Berkeley is also home to the International House which is a residence hall for American students, international students, and visiting scholars who are interested in learning about new cultures and sharing ideas. The International House is a lifelong community with alumni who continue to be engaged long after graduation.
Location
University of California, Berkeley is located in an urban setting right in the Bay Area. The city of Berkeley has so much to offer from restaurants to museums, outdoor activities, concerts, community events, coffee shops, murals, street art, the marina and so much more. But if that’s not enough for you, San Francisco is just a short (25-minute) ride from campus. Berkeley is also a great starting point for some of the best monuments, state parks, recreational areas, and national parks.
University of California, Davis
The campus culture and the feel at Davis can be described as friendly and easygoing. More than half of the students ride their bikes around campus, which happens to be the largest University of California campus. Over 90% of students live on campus which makes for a vibrant community. Davis ranks #1 in the nation and the world in agriculture and veterinary medicine and you can see the impact of the many great farm-to-table restaurants, and the winery and farm on campus.
International Community
The University of California, Davis is home to over 7,900 international students and the school sees itself as a global campus with more than 140 countries represented. Davis is not only committed to supporting international students coming to the United States but they are also committed to ensuring that 100% of their students engage in global education through their academics, experiences, and global living. Davis has also been recognized for infusing international, intercultural, and global dimensions into the campus.
Location
The city of Davis is a college town surrounded by agricultural land. This means the majority of the city’s population is made up of university students which shapes the entire city. Most businesses and city events target the students and you can see them throughout the city – not just the campus.
If you are looking for a bigger city, Sacramento is just a short 20-minute ride from campus and San Francisco is an hour and a half way. Lake Tahoe, known for world-renowned skiing and breathtaking natural beauty, is about two hours away.
University of California, Irvine
The campus culture and feel at Irvine could be described as hard-working, academic, and somewhat quiet. The majority of students live off campus making the weekends quiet and relaxing for those those on campus.
International Community
The University of California, Irvine supports international students through the IPG Scholars Program, ISEP Services, Global Leaders, and the International Center. The IPG Scholars match students with a mentor, provide workshops, organize community service, and networking events with professors and alumni. ISEP provides free academic counseling, networking with faculty and alumni, and area of study-related workshops. Global Leaders expose students to research opportunities. The International Center helps to engage international students through immigration services, academic advising, workshops, events, and fun activities.
Location
UCI is in the quiet and safe city of Irvine in Orange County. Irvine offers great shopping, a concert venue, the 3,000-acre Orange County Great Park which features a sports complex, a year-round public skating park, free hot air balloon rides, and many other amenities.
UCI is also only 15 minutes from Newport Beach, 20 from Huntington Beach or Laguna Beach. But if you are looking for a big city feel, Los Angeles is only an hour away.
University of California, Los Angeles
More than 98% of freshman students live on campus – making it easier for students to meet others and be involved on campus. About 74% of undergraduate students participate in at least one of the 1200 different clubs and organizations offered on campus. They are known for having a lot of school spirit with songs and traditions like their chats and claps at sports events.
International Community
UCLA considers itself to be “an international institution located in one of the world’s most international cities.” They support international students through the Dashew Center which fosters a sense of community and belonging through peer mentoring, language development, and cross-cultural learning opportunities, fun social events, and a dedicated study hall that offer a bite to eat.
Location
UCLA is located in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles. It is considered one of the best areas of Los Angeles and because of the large college student presence, it has a college-town feel. The city has many great restaurants, bars, and shopping and the Santa Monica Pier and the beach are only 15 km away. Some of the best museum and entertainment options are a short drive from campus.
University of California, Merced
Unlike the other University of California campuses that host a large number of international and out-of-state- students (students from states outside of California) UC Merced’s students are mostly from California. With a total population of 9,000, UC Merced is not only the newest UC campus but also the smallest. First-year students are required to live on campus for their first two years which makes for a really nice and close-knit community.
International Community
There are international students from over 30 countries at UC Merced. Students can receive support through the Office of International Affairs. International students receive academic support, research, teaching experiences, and visa support.
Location
University of California, Merced is located in the small quiet agricultural city of Merced. Merced is also considered the gateway to Yosemite National Park which attracts over 3 million visitors per year. And San Francisco, Santa Cruz, and Monterey are all within a two-hour drive.
University of California, Riverside
UCR is often described by students as academically serious, friendly, and embracing of differences. UCR is the most racially and ethnically diverse of all the University of California. The majority of students live off campus or commute. But over 8,000 students live on campus which creates a nice community.
International Community
There are about 2,000 international students and 88 countries represented. The International Students and Scholars office supports students through advising, intercultural programming, and advocacy. Programming can include opportunities for students to practice a different language and assistance in joining the many clubs and organizations on campus.
Location
University of California, Riverside is located in the southern inland part of California in the city of Riverside with a vibrant downtown with lots of great food options, museums, galleries, and shopping. Riverside is also close to the beaches in Orange County, Los Angeles, the mountains, and Joshua Tree National Park which attracts 2.4 million visitors per year.
University of California, San Diego
UCSD is known for its excellent academics, research opportunities, and beautiful and inviting campus. The school receives over $1.5 billion in research funding a year with over 5,200 active research projects.
UCSD has many opportunities for students to be involved and are known for their annual music festival. But overall, some would still describe the campus as quiet.
International Community
The International Student and Programs Office hosts a number of events to support international students. They offer peer mentoring, advising, and weekly coffee social meetings. They also have a Thanksgiving Exchange program that pairs students with American families to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday.
Location
UCSD is located in La Jolla and close to several beaches and downtown San Diego. It is a vacation destination for its perfect weather, beautiful beaches, many attractions like Balboa Park, San Diego Zoo, museums, active culinary scene, and vibrant nightlife.
University of California, Santa Barbara
UC Santa Barbara is one of the few colleges that has its own beach! They are known for their social, easy-going, supportive, and inclusive student body. They are a bicycle-friendly campus with almost half of the students biking to get around. But with an average admission GPA above 4.0, the campus is not just about relaxing and having fun.
International Community
International students make up about 15% of the student body at UC Santa Barbara. The Office of International Students & Scholars and other organizations such as the MultiCultural Center organizes events and provide support throughout the year.
Location
UC Santa Barbara is right on the water along the coast of Southern California in Santa Barbara County. It is a high-end tourist destination with many resorts, wineries, film and outdoor festivals, parades, and a large beach and surfing culture.
University of California, Santa Cruz
UC Santa Cruz is one of the most breathtaking campuses with over 2,000 acres of redwood forest next to the Pacific Coast. It is urban but has a small-town feel and students are described as open-minded and inclusive. They have the second smallest student body of all UC campuses.
International Community
UC Santa Cruz has a small international student presence of only about 5%. It is a small but mighty community with lots of support from the Office of Global Engagement that provides pre-departure, re-entry support and programming, lots of events, mentorship, and graduate school preparation.
Location
UC Santa Cruz is located right on Monterey Bay between great big redwood trees and only 75 miles from San Francisco! Many students take internships in Silicon Valley and the school even has a small campus in the area.
Santa Cruz County is a beach town known for its arts culture, surfing, wine tasting, and of course, its redwood forest. Truly a paradise for nature lovers and sports enthusiasts.
Tips to Apply to the University of California
Start Early
You should start the university process (researching schools and applying) no later than junior year (the second to the last of your last year of secondary school). You will need plenty of time to research schools and time to dedicate to your essays (personal insight questions).
Balanced University List
- Make a list of all the schools that are interesting to you and then as you start researching and learning more about them, remove the ones that are not a good fit or match.
- Reach, Target, Safety
Organize your schools in these categories to
make sure you are applying to enough
schools from each category.
For example:
If your GPA is about 3.85
Reach
UC Berkeley
Target
UC Riverside
Safety
UC Merced
Tips for the Personal Insight Questions
By the time you start writing your Personal Insight Questions, most of your grades, accolades and academic accomplishment will have already been completed and will be unchangeable. But the Personal Insight Questions give you another opportunity to put your best foot forward.
Again, Start Early
The UC application deadline is one of the earliest deadlines. The application opens on August 1st and the submission window is between October 1st – November 30th.
Write all 8
You will have eight Personal Insight Questions to choose from but will only submit four. Write all eight to see which ones you do best in and which ones stand out.
Get to the Point!
Unlike the personal statement, you will write for other schools, you only have 350 words to answer the prompt. Don’t use up your words on irrelevant information or too many descriptors. Just get to the point!
Be Yourself
Don’t write something just because you think it’s what the university wants to hear. Be yourself!
Where to apply
You can apply to all University of California campuses on one application and specify which campuses you are applying to. This is a huge time saver if you wish to apply to multiple University of California campuses.
Due Date
The University of California application opens on August 1 but you cannot be submit until October 1. The first day you can submit your application is October 1st and the last day to submit is November 30th.
University of California Frequently Asked Questions?
What is the easiest UC to get into? University of California, Merced has an admit rate of 90.40%
What is the hardest UC to get into? University of California, Los Angeles has an admit rate of just 8.60%
Is UCLA the same as University of California? Yes, UC in UCLA stands for University of California, Los Angeles. UCLA is part of the UC system and is located in Los Angeles
What GPA do you need to get into UCLA?
The average GPA at UCLA is 4.25. Most of their admitted students have GPAs between 4.21-4.33 but they also admit students that fall below and above that range.
The University of California Admit Rate and Average GPA
| University of California | Applicants | Admits | Admit Rate | GPA of middle 25% – 75% students |
| Berkeley | 128,225 | 14,603 | 11.40% | 4.17 – 4.31 |
| Davis | 94,759 | 35,563 | 37.50% | 4.06 – 4.30 |
| Irvine | 119,209 | 25,023 | 21% | 4.08 – 4.29 |
| Los Angeles | 149,813 | 12,825 | 8.60% | 4.21- 4.33 |
| Merced | 29,914 | 27,046 | 90.40% | 3.50 – 4.08 |
| Riverside | 54,687 | 37,262 | 68.10% | 3.81 – 4.20 |
| San Diego | 131,245 | 31,160 | 23.70% | 4.12 – 4.30 |
| Santa Barbara | 111,000 | 28,701 | 25.90% | 4.15 – 4.31 |
| Santa Cruz | 66,034 | 31,075 | 47.10% | 3.94 – 4.25 |
Universities in California – California State University
There are 23 California State University campuses throughout California. But just because they are all part of the California State University system doesn’t mean that they are all the same. They vary widely in campus size, student body, graduation rates, acceptances, average grade point average, location, campus culture etc.
There are 23 California State Universities throughout the state and all 23 have international students. But the majority of international students attend eight out of the 23. Let’s see why these eight attract students from around the world!
Top California State Universities for International Students
- San Jose State University
- California State University, Fullerton
- San Diego State University
- California State University, East Bay
- California State University, Long Beach
- California State University, Los Angeles
- California State University, Northridge
- San Francisco State University
#1 San Jose State University
Located right in the heart of Silicon Valley, it’s no wonder over 3,000 international students attend San Jose State. Silicon Valley hires more students, for high-tech capital jobs, from San Jose State University than any other school.
The International Student and Scholar Services support students by hosting fun events throughout the year, employment and writing workshops, and many other events.
Can’t score high enough on the TEOFL and IELTS? Not a problem! You can still apply to the Path to SJSU Degree Program which strengthens your English skills so you can work towards your degree.
#2 California State University, Fullerton
Cal State Fullerton is a popular school for international students (over 2,000) because of its quality education and its great location in Orange County. It is regularly recognized for its academics and are especially known for their business programs. They have an average GPA of 3.7 and a 53% admit rate.
Orange County is home to major biomedical, pharmaceutical, and medical device companies as well as major entertainment companies like Disneyland.
Cal State Fullerton is about five miles from Anaheim and about 30 from Downtown Los Angeles. It is in a prime location for entertainment, access to the beach, nature, and major companies looking to hire.
#3 San Diego State University
San Diego State is one of the most competitive Cal States. It has an average GPA of 4.0 and an admit rate of 39% and is ranked as one of the top public universities in the United States.
The retention rate is the percentage of first-year students who return for a second year and is an indicator of their experience. CSUs have an impressive 85% retention rate but San Diego State tops it with an impressive 90% retention rate!
San Diego State near the beach and also close to Downtown San Diego and many other attractions.
San Diego’s economy relies on international trade, manufacturing, military, and tourism economy. They are also a top location for Life Science and Biosciences and other advanced industries that pay an average salary of $116,600 per year.
#4 California State University, East Bay
Cal State East Bay is in the beautiful Bay Area. As its name suggests, it is on the east side of the bay and about halfway between San Francisco and San Jose.
CSU East Bay has an average GPA of 3.21 with an admit rate of 76%. In 2022, they were elevated to R2 Carnegie Classification for their high research activity and are regularly recognized for excellence in education.
With about 1,800 international students, many internship opportunities, diverse community, and great location, you understand why it’s so appealing.
#5 California State University, Long Beach
Cal State Long Beach is one of the most applied to school of all the Cal States with over 74,000 applicants and has an average GPA of 3.92 and an admit rate of 38%. There are over 1,600 international students and even 45 international faculty members. Some of their more competitive programs are in the areas of biological sciences, business, chemistry, and biochemistry.
Cal State Long Beach is located in Los Angeles County in the city of Long Beach. It is a coastal community with lots of things to do and is home to Boeing and SpaceX. The city itself is also very diverse with a resident population of over 450,000 in a medium-sized city.
# 6 California State University, Los Angeles
CSU Los Angeles is right in the middle of Los Angeles and is close to many internship and employment opportunities! High-tech, aerospace, trade, entertainment, and fashion industries power Los Angele’s economy.
Cal State LA attracts over 1,000 international students and is known for its forensic science program and its engineering and technology programs. They have an average GPA of 3.43, and an admit rate of 86%.
You will never run out of things to do when you live in the Entertainment Capital of the World thanks to the many trendy and award-winning restaurants, festivals, museums, beaches, mountains, and more!
# 7 California State University, Northridge
Northridge is known for its film, music, business, animation, accounting, and information systems programs which consistently rank high. The average GPA is 3.38 and they have an admit rate of 90.15%
Cal State Northridge (CSUN) is located in Los Angeles – about 30 miles from downtown and 20 miles from the beach.
They have over 1,000 international students on campus. The International and Exchange Student Center supports international students from the time they are applying to the school through the end of their education. They also host weekly Coffee Hours to help students connect and make friends.
# 8 San Francisco State University
San Francisco State is the second school on this list that is in Silicon Valley with access to many internships and employment opportunities. And because public transportation in San Francisco is very popular, you shouldn’t have a problem getting around.
San Francisco State is known for academic excellence in innovation and research, and film programs. Graduates have earned 21 Pulitzers, 16 Oscars, 49 Emmys, 10 Grammys, and 12 Tony Awards. They have a 3.6 average GPA and a 71% admit rate.
Universities in California – Full List of Cal States
CSU Bakersfield
CSU Channel Islands
CSU Chico
CSU Dominguez Hills
CSU East Bay
CSU Fullerton
CSU Long Beach
CSU Monterey Bay
CSU Northridge
CSU San Bernardino
CSU San Marcos
Cal Martitime
Cal Poly Humboldt
Cal Poly Pomona
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Cal State LA
Fresno State
Sacramento State
San Diego State
San Francisco State
San Jose State
Sonoma State
Stanislaus State
Benefits of Attending a California State University
Cost
California State Universities are more affordable than University of California campuses and most private schools. Tuition for the year is about $16,000 and living expenses are about $24,000. Compared that to about $75,000 (tuition and living expenses) for University of California schools and private schools.
Admission Rates
Admission rates vary by school but the most competitive California State University is California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly)
which admitted 29.3% of students who applied.
UCLA is the most competitive UC with an admission rate of 11% Overall, UCs are harder to get into with the majority of their students in the top 10% of their high school (secondary school). Your chances of admission are higher at California State Universities.
Quality Education
Cal State students are more likely to learn in a smaller class setting. UC students are taught in a large classroom setting. Both systems have quality education but students should know how they learn best to be able to select a campus that is best for them.
Job Readiness
California State Universities focus on preparing students for the workforce while University of California schools prepare students for graduate school. This doesn’t mean Cal States students can’t go to graduate school or that UC students can’t go into the workforce, it is just the focus of the schools.
Which California State University should I apply to?
The most popular Cal State for International Students are:
San Jose State University
California State University, Fullerton
San Diego State University
California State University, East Bay
California State University, Long Beach
California State University, Los Angeles
California State University, Northridge
San Francisco State University
Concentrate your efforts on schools that are a good Match and Fit to increase your chances of being admitted.
Match – Your academic measurable factors, like GPA, Rank, and TOEFL/IELTS scores compared to those of the school
For example, your GPA is 3.8 and the school’s average is 3.8
Fit – School’s offerings (location, cost, majors, etc.) are what you are looking for
How to find your Match and Fit
Match
Understand your GPA
The California State Universities uses specific courses (called A-G courses) to calculate domestic student Grade Point Average (GPA). You are required, as an international students, to have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA to apply. But it does not guarantee admission.
Knowing your GPA will allow you to compare your profile to that of the students.
High School Completion
You must be graduating from high school/ secondary school by the end of the Spring term to start in the Fall. Your coursework must also be intended to prepare you for university.
TOEFL/IELTS
English language proficiency exams are usually required as part of the admissions application. Each CSU has different requirements but from the chart below you can see that 61 is the minimum TOEFL and 5.5 – 6 on the IELTS
IELTS and TOEFL Scores for California State Universities (CSU)
| California State Universities | Average GPA | Admit Rate | Graduation Rate (6 yr) | TOEFL Internet-based (iBT) | IELTS |
| California State University, Long Beach | 3.92 | 38.00% | 72.65% | 61 | 5.5 each sub-section |
| California State University, Northridge | 3.38 | 90.15% | 55.84% | 61 | 6 |
| California State University, Bakersfield | 3.2 | 84.58% | 43% | 61 | 5.5 each sub-section |
| California State University, Channel Islands | 3.38 | 86.80% | 56.80% | 61 | 6 |
| California State University, Chico | 3.46 | 91.81% | 65.40% | 61 | 6 |
| California State University, Dominguez Hills | 3.15 | 88.65% | 48% | 61 | 5.5 |
| California State University, East Bay | 3.21 | 76.00% | 45% | 61 | 6 |
| California State University, Fullerton | 3.6 | 53% | 70% | 61 | 5.5 |
| California State University, Monterey Bay | 3.32 | 92.28% | 61% | 61 | 6 |
| California State University, San Bernardino | 3.21 | 96.00% | 59% | 61 | 5.5 |
| California State University, San Marcos | 3.3 | 93% | 54% | 61 | 5.5 |
| Cal Maritime | 3.3 | 82% | 66% | 61 | 6 |
| Cal Poly Humboldt | 3.2 | 89.89% | 46% | 71 | 6 |
| Cal Poly Pomona | 3.5 | 55.19% | 66% | 71 | 6 |
| Cal Poly San Luis Obispo | 4.01 | 30.34% | 87% | 80 | 6.5 |
| Cal State LA | 3.43 | 86.94% | 50% | 61 | 5.5 |
| Fresno State | 3.33 | 97% | 56% | 61 | 6 |
| Sacramento State | 3.5 | 93.68% | 69% | 64 | 6 |
| San Diego State | 4 | 39.35% | 75% | 80 | 6.5 |
| San Francisco State | 3.65 | 71.18% | 74.40% | 61 | 6 |
| San Jose State | 3.4 | 84% | 64% | 80 (engineering) 61 (All other majors) | 7.0 (engineering) 6.5 (All other majors) |
| Sonoma State | 3.3 | 91.00% | 60% | 61 | 6 |
| Stanislaus State | 3.2 | 89% | 58% | 61 | 6 |
Fit
You shouldn’t apply to a school solely based on how academically competitive you are at that school. After all, you’ll have to live on that campus for at least four years. You should consider factors like the location and the culture of each school. Fortunately, all University of California campuses are big enough that you will find most of what is important to you. But each campus does have an overall culture.
You will have to determine what is important to you. If your religious community is essential to you, you will want to prioritize schools close to religious communities. For others, location, size of school, and access to internships may be important. Everyone will have different fit factors. Consider the factors below.
Fit Factors for International Students
- Cost
- Scholarships for International Students
- Location (State, urban, suburb, rural)
- Percentage of International Students
- Religious Communities in the Area
- Strength of Local Economy
- Jobs in the Area
- Internship Opportunities
- Diversity at school
- Support Services for International Students (Does the school offer staff to help international students transition to the school, meet others, answer visa questions, etc.?)
- Class size
- Others – Consider other factors that are important to you.
Due Dates: You can only access the application when it opens. If you are applying to start school fall, you can access the application starting October 1. Priority deadline is November 30th. Some programs accept applications after November 30.
Frequently Asked Questions?
What is the IELTS score for CSU? California State Universities IELTS scores range from 5.5 – 7 depending on the school and program. CSU Long Beach and Bakersfield require a 5.5 while San Jose State requires a 7.0 for engineering majors
IELTS and TOEFL Scores for California State Universities (CSU)
| California State Universities | Average GPA | Admit Rate | Graduation Rate (6 yr) | TOEFL Internet-based (iBT) | IELTS |
| California State University, Long Beach | 3.92 | 38.00% | 72.65% | 61 | 5.5 each sub-section |
| California State University, Northridge | 3.38 | 90.15% | 55.84% | 61 | 6 |
| California State University, Bakersfield | 3.2 | 84.58% | 43% | 61 | 5.5 each sub-section |
| California State University, Channel Islands | 3.38 | 86.80% | 56.80% | 61 | 6 |
| California State University, Chico | 3.46 | 91.81% | 65.40% | 61 | 6 |
| California State University, Dominguez Hills | 3.15 | 88.65% | 48% | 61 | 5.5 |
| California State University, East Bay | 3.21 | 76.00% | 45% | 61 | 6 |
| California State University, Fullerton | 3.6 | 53% | 70% | 61 | 5.5 |
| California State University, Monterey Bay | 3.32 | 92.28% | 61% | 61 | 6 |
| California State University, San Bernardino | 3.21 | 96.00% | 59% | 61 | 5.5 |
| California State University, San Marcos | 3.3 | 93% | 54% | 61 | 5.5 |
| Cal Maritime | 3.3 | 82% | 66% | 61 | 6 |
| Cal Poly Humboldt | 3.2 | 89.89% | 46% | 71 | 6 |
| Cal Poly Pomona | 3.5 | 55.19% | 66% | 71 | 6 |
| Cal Poly San Luis Obispo | 4.01 | 30.34% | 87% | 80 | 6.5 |
| Cal State LA | 3.43 | 86.94% | 50% | 61 | 5.5 |
| Fresno State | 3.33 | 97% | 56% | 61 | 6 |
| Sacramento State | 3.5 | 93.68% | 69% | 64 | 6 |
| San Diego State | 4 | 39.35% | 75% | 80 | 6.5 |
| San Francisco State | 3.65 | 71.18% | 74.40% | 61 | 6 |
| San Jose State | 3.4 | 84% | 64% | 80 (engineering) 61 (All other majors) | 7.0 (engineering) 6.5 (All other majors) |
| Sonoma State | 3.3 | 91.00% | 60% | 61 | 6 |
| Stanislaus State | 3.2 | 89% | 58% | 61 | 6 |
Universities in California – Community Colleges
Although the term college is used, around the world, to describe a secondary school, in the United States the term college refers to post-secondary education. The word college and university are used interchangeably.
Community college, also referred to as a two-year college or a junior college, is a term used to describe a school that typically awards vocational diplomas/certificates, pre-professional certificates, associate degrees and general education courses leading towards a bachelor’s degree.
One of the great things about education in the United States is that anyone, even if you never scored well in high school, can attend community college, complete the required courses, and transfer to a 4-year university to complete a bachelor’s degree. Community college students must transfer to either a University of California, California State University, or a private school in order to complete the last two years of their bachelor’s degree.
When you graduate from school, you will be awarded a bachelor’s degree from the school you transferred to. The degree will never state that you started at a community college. This means that you could start at Bakersfield Community College, which has one of the lowest costs of living in the entire state, for about $15,500 a year and then transfer to the University of California Los Angeles for the last two years. Your bachelor’s degree would be awarded from UCLA.
There are 116 community colleges throughout California. And because they were created to serve the residents of California, you can find them in most communities. Community colleges are the most affordable out of all the other higher education options.
Benefits of a California Community College
Cost
Community Colleges are the most affordable pathway for international students who are pursuing a bachelor’s degree. Annual tuition is about $8,000 compared to $45,000 at University of California.
Admissions
Admission is open which means anyone can attend with minimal requirements. Besides the visa requirements, most schools only require that you complete secondary school. If you don’t meet the language requirements, many community colleges offer language classes to help you meet the requirements.
Transfer Agreements
Community colleges in California have agreements with the University of California and California State University systems and some private schools to guarantee admission. There are GPA requirements but they are much lower than for those applying directly from secondary school. For example, The middle 25% – 75% grade point average for freshmen applying to the University of California, Davis is 4.06 – 4.30. But for California Community College students who are transferring to the University of California, Davis, the minimum grade point average is 2.80. 2.80 is the minimum to be considered and certain programs may have a higher GPA requirement but it’s still a great pathway for those starting at the community college.
Location
You will have many options when you choose where you want to live. Community colleges are found throughout the state of California. You can choose to be right on the beach, or in the heart of San Francisco, or in a rural location with a low cost of living.
Tips to Applying to Community Colleges in California
Know Your Educational Goals
Community colleges give students the flexibility to obtain different certifications or degrees. Some will even offer intensive English language programs for those interested in improving their language skills. You will have the flexibility to change your goals if you need to but knowing what your goals are from the beginning will save you time and money.
To illustrate, if your goal is to start at the community college and then transfer to the University of California, the courses you take may be different than if you were interested in transferring to California State Universities.
Research the colleges
All community colleges will give you the option to transfer to the University of California, California State Universities, or private schools. Make sure they offer the program you want.
Support for International Students
Most schools will have staff members dedicated to helping international students. But knowing what kind of support you can receive is important. Fullerton College, for example, provides social activities to help international students connect with students, connect students with peer mentors, assist with visa questions and so much more.
Know your priorities
If your top priority is keeping costs low, then you should start by researching schools in cities with the lowest cost of living. California is an expensive state but some areas are much more expensive than others. But if your priority is being near the beach, then look for all the schools near the beach.
Research your housing options
University of California, California State Universities and private schools offer student housing. But most community colleges do not have housing for their students. But as a student, you have many other housing options.
Due Date
Community colleges don’t have a hard deadline. You can start start fall, spring or summer semester. The visa process takes several weeks to several months to be processed. So your starting date depends on when you get your visa.
Community colleges are typically on the semester system which means that the start of the school year is typically around August. August classes will run for about 16 – 18 weeks which will mark the end of the fall semester. Then the spring semester will start around January and will also be about 16 – 18 weeks long. Although the typical school year is the fall semester and spring semester, students can take courses in the summer months. In contrast, summer courses are accelerated courses that may run from 1 – 9 weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What community college should I go to?
The most popular universities in California and community colleges are concentrated in the Bay Area, Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego. These are areas with great entertainment, nature, beaches, and diverse communities.
What community colleges have dorms?
12 community colleges in California offer dorms.
1.College of the Redwoods
2. College of the Siskiyous
3. Columbia College
4. Cerro Coso Community College
5. Feather River College
6. Lassen College
7. Orange Coast College
8. Reedley College
9. Shasta College
10. Sierra College
11. Taft College
12. West Hills College Coalinga
Can community college students transfer to Harvard?
Yes, Harvard accepts a small number of transfer students. For example, in the fall of 2021, 1,957 students applied to transfer and only 16 were admitted. It’s also important to note that even if a student completes two years worth of classes at the community college, Stanford will only allow the student to transfer 8 credit units. Therefore, the transfer student would essentially be freshman (first year) standing.
Which community college is best for international students?
The best community college for international students depends on the goals of the students. For example, your goal may be to transfer to the University of California or to master the English language. Your goals will determine the best school for you.
If your goal is to transfer to a specific school, then knowing the transfer rates will be helpful. Below you can see the highest community college to UCLA transfer rates.
Community College Students Transfer to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
This is a list of community colleges with most number of students that transfered to UCLA. But keep in mind that this changes every year.
- Santa Monica College
- Pasadena City College
- Deanza College
- Diablo Valley College
- Irvine Valley College
- Los Angeles Pierce College
- El Camino College
- Mt. San Antonio College
- Moorpark College
- Orange Coast College
- Saddleback College
- Glendale Community College
- Foothill College
- College of the Canyons
- Santa Barbara College
- Los Angeles Valley College
- East Los Angeles College
- Fullerton College
- Mira Costa College
- Berkeley City College
Universities in California – Private Universities in California
California has a wide range of private schools throughout the state. California is home to well-known universities such as the University of Southern California (USC) and home to some of the most difficult schools to get into such as Stanford University (5.2% admit rate), the Claremont Schools, and the California Institute of Technology (Cal Tech). But there are also several others with more favorable admit rates that still offer a great education in great locations.
Benefits of Attending a Private University
Smaller Class Size
In general, private, non-profit, schools tend to focus their resources on few students. For example, University of California, Berkeley has over 45,000 students on campus with an average class size of thirty. But you are also likely to take a few courses with class size of more than 350 students. On the other hand, the University of Redlands has a student body of about 2,400 with an average class size of 20. 17% of their classes even have a class size of 6. The smaller class sizes usually mean more interaction between students and professors and more discussion.
Resources
Private schools generally have more resources to support students in ways that public schools can’t. For example, Pomona College encourages its students to explore careers and grow their professional network by funding internships. So if a student wants to do an internship where the company doesn’t pay the student, Pomona College will pay the student. And they will not only pay the student to work in an area of their choice but they will also help the student get hired.
Campus Experience
Because private schools tend to have a smaller student body, students know each other better and have a closer-knit community. They are likely to see the same familiar people around campus.
Professors as Mentors
Professors at large research schools tend to focus their time on research. Teacher Assistants (who are other graduate-level students) are usually the ones teaching the classes. But typically at private schools, students are not just taught by professors, it’s not uncommon for professors to mentor students. Many know each of their students by name, go to lunch with them, and mentor them to get started in their field.
Which Private University in California Should I Apply to?
You should apply to schools where you are competitive and whose campus culture is what you are looking for. This is called the Match and Fit. Applying to schools that are a good match and fit will increase your chances of being admitted.
How to find your Match and Fit
Match
Understand your GPA
Many private schools use academic courses to calculate your grade point average (GPA). Academic courses are generally considered to be courses in math, science, history, language, and a secondary language. Courses that they typically wouldn’t consider are courses in physical education, life skills, etc.
Rigor
Have you or are you currently taking the most rigorous courses available at your school? For example, some schools may offer a regular-level biology class, an honors-level biology class, and an Advance Placement Biology Class. If a student is only taking the regular level, they are missing out on two other, more rigorous, options.
Curriculum Offered
Are you taking advantage of everything that is offered at your school? For example, if your school offers 10 Advanced Placement courses and you are only taking one, then you are not taking advantage.
Fit
You shouldn’t apply to a school solely based on how academically competitive you are at that school. After all, you’ll have to live on that campus for at least four years. You should consider factors like the location and the culture of each school. Fortunately, all University of California campuses are big enough so that you will find others like you. At the same time, each campus does have an overall culture.
You will have to determine what is important to you. For some students, finding their religious community is important. So you would want to prioritize schools close to religious communities. For others, it may be location, size of the school, access to internships in your field etc. Everyone will have different fit factors. Consider the factors below.
Fit Factors for International Students
- Cost
- Scholarships for International Students
- Location (State, urban, suburb, rural)
- Percentage of International Students
- Religious Communities in the Area
- Strength of Local Economy
- Jobs in the Area
- Internship Opportunities
- Diversity at school
- Support Services for International Students (events, workshops, dedicated staff to help with visa questions and eligibility etc.)
- Class size
- Others – Consider other factors that are important to you.
Tips to apply to Private Universities in California
Start Early
Start the university process (researching schools and applying) no later than the second to the last of your last year of secondary school. You will need plenty of time to research schools and time to dedicate to your personal statements and short answer essays. You should also keep in mind that many private schools track demonstrated interest and may also offer early decision and early action. For this reason, you would be applying months before those applying regular decision.
Balanced University List
- Make a list of all the schools that are interesting to you. As you start researching and learning more about them, remove the ones that are not a good fit or match.
- Reach, Target, Safety
Organize your schools in these categories to make sure you are applying to enough schools from each category.
For example:
If your GPA is about 3.85
Reach
UC Berkeley
Target
UC Riverside
Safety
UC Merced
Tips for the Personal Statement
Answer the Question
The prompt below is from the Common Application and is asking to recount an experience and explain what was learned from the experience. Sometimes students spend a lot of time on recounting the experience and may not even answer the second question. Make sure you fully answer the question.
“The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience”
Be the Main Character
Sometimes you get so excited writing about your family or hobby or passions that you talk more about those things than yourself. Above all, if at the end of the personal statement, the reader knows more about your family or hobby or passions than about you, you are not the main character.
Show not Tell
Don’t say that you are hard-working. Show that you are hardworking through your story. Don’t say it, show it!
Extra Tip
Most schools will require short answer questions in addition to the personal statement. Take them as seriously as the personal statement.
Where to apply
Many private universities in the United States use the Common Application which simplifies the application process by giving you the ability to apply to many schools with just one application. You will typically write one Personal Statement that will be read by all the schools you apply to but then there will be school-specific essay questions.
Due Date:
Due date will vary depending on whether you are applying early decision, early action, or regular decision or even rolling admission. November is typically the start of early decision and early action deadlines with regular decision around December and January.
Schools that utilize rolling admission will continue to review applications until they have admitted enough students to fill their class. They may also have priority deadlines to give you an idea of when to start applying.
What California Private Schools Should I Apply to?
Increase your chances of being admitted by concentrating your efforts on schools that are a good Match and Fit.
Match – Average quantitative factors of a school, like GPA, Rank, and TOEFL/IELTS scores are equal to yours
Fit – School’s offerings (location, cost, majors, etc.) are what you are looking for
How to find your Match and Fit
Match
Understand your GPA
Many private schools use a student’s academic GPA instead of cumulative or other GPAs. Calculate your GPA and then use that GPA to compare your profile to that of other students.
TOEFL/IELTS
Do you meet the language requirements? You could have the highest GPA and rank number one, but you will not be admitted if you don’t meet the language requirements. But keep in mind some school have minimal language requirements. Some offer language courses so you can become proficient.
Fit
You shouldn’t apply to a school solely based on how academically competitive you are at that school. After all, you’ll have to live on that campus for at least four years. You should consider factors like the location and the culture of each school. Fortunately, all University of California campuses are big enough so that you will find most of what is important to you. But each campus does have an overall culture.
You will have to determine what is important to you. If your religious community is essential to you, you will want to prioritize schools close to religious communities. For others, location, size of school, and access to internships may be important. Everyone will have different fit factors. Consider the factors below.
Fit Factors for International Students
- Cost
- Scholarships for International Students
- Location (State, urban, suburb, rural)
- Class size
- Percentage of International Students
- Religious Communities in the Area
- Strength of Local Economy
- Jobs in the Area
- Internship Opportunities
- Diversity at school
- Support Services for International Students (Does the school offer staff to help international students transition to the school, meet others, answer visa questions, etc.?)
- Class size
- Others – Consider other factors that are important to you.
Conclusion
To summarize, there are so many universities in California (9 Universities of California, 23 California State Universities, 116 community colleges and many private schools.) You should now know the differences, benefits, and tips to apply. If you haven’t started your balanced list of where to apply, start it now!
