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2021 Best Affordable Colleges in California for Students from China

67 Colleges
$24,002 Avg Tuition & Fees*
29% Avg 4-Year Grad Rate*

With all of the options international students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our Best Value Colleges for Chinese Students in California ranking - to help you make that decision.

After analyzing 67 schools in California, we came up with our list of those that offered the best educational experiences for Chinese students in California. Our ranking methodology focuses on a number of different objective factors - such as the overall value of the school, number of total international students at the school, and the percentage of international students on campus - to make this determination.

Get more details on our ranking methodology.

Customizing Your List

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Since one ranking on its own is not enough to give you a complete understanding of your educational options, you can refine this list by location. We've also developed a number of other tools and rankings based on other factors. These other rankings highlight colleges that excel in other factors such as quality or diversity as well as schools that excel in serving different groups of students such as online students or returnings adults.

We've created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. If you're torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Top Value Colleges in California for Students from China

See which schools came out on top of our ranking:

1

Our 2021 rankings named California State University - Long Beach the best affordable school for Chinese students in California working on their bachelor’s degree. California State University - Long Beach is a large public school located in Long Beach, California that handed out 9,179 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of the total number of students at the school, 6.0% are international. Students from as far away as India, China, and Japan come to CSULB to study. International students at CSULB can expect to pay, on average, about $18,726 a year to attend the school. Graduate students pay around $17,784 a year in average tuition and fees.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on California State University - Long Beach

2

Out of the 67 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, California State Polytechnic University - Pomona landed the #2 spot on the list. 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 studying at Cal Poly Pomona come from such countries as China, Kuwait, and South Korea. International students at Cal Poly Pomona can expect to pay, on average, about $19,319 a year to attend the school. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $18,377 per year.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full California State Polytechnic University - Pomona Report

3

The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at San Jose State University helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools for Chinese students in California. Located in San Jose, California, the large public school handed out 7,192 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 10.2% of the total student population at the school is international. The top three countries sending students to study at San Jose State are India, China, and Vietnam. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at San Jose State runs, on average, about $19,732. 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.

Read full report on San Jose State University

4

A rank of #4 on our list means San Diego State University is a great place for Chinese students in California working on their bachelor’s degree. SDSU is a public institution located in San Diego, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 8,719 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

International students make up 5.4% of the total student body at the school. The top three countries sending students to study at SDSU are China, India, and Kuwait. International students at SDSU can expect to pay, on average, about $20,016 a year to attend the school. Graduate students pay around $19,074 a year in average tuition and fees.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full San Diego State University Report

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Northridge. The school came in at #5 in this year’s ranking. Northridge, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 9,572 students in 2020-2021.

International students make up 6.2% of the total student body at the school. Students studying at CSUN come from such countries as Kuwait, China, and India. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at CSUN runs, on average, about $18,923. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $17,981 per year.

Read More…

6

California State University - Fullerton did quite well in the 2021 Best Value Colleges for Chinese Students in California ranking, coming in at #6. Cal State Fullerton is a public institution located in Fullerton, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 10,010 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

International students make up 5.9% of the total student body at the school. The top three countries sending students to study at Cal State Fullerton are India, China, and Kuwait. International students at Cal State Fullerton can expect to pay, on average, about $18,856 a year to attend the school. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $17,914 per year.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Read More…

7

California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo landed the #7 spot on the 2021 Best Value Colleges for Chinese Students in California. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a public institution located in San Luis Obispo, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5,421 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

International students make up 2.2% of the total student body at the school. The top three countries sending students to study at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo are China, India, and South Korea. Out-of-state tuition and fees for undergraduates at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is about $28,105 a year, on average. Graduate students pay around $21,133 a year in average tuition and fees.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Read full report on California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo

8

California State University - Monterey Bay did quite well in the 2021 Best Value Colleges for Chinese Students in California ranking, coming in at #8. Located in Seaside, California, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,805 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

International students make up 4.7% of the total student body at the school. Students studying at CSUMB come from such countries as Japan, China, and Germany. Out-of-state tuition and fees for undergraduates at CSUMB is about $19,098 a year, on average. Graduate students pay around $18,156 a year in average tuition and fees.

Read full report on California State University - Monterey Bay

9

California State University - Chico did quite well in the 2021 Best Value Colleges for Chinese Students in California ranking, coming in at #9. Located in Chico, California, the fairly large public school handed out 4,313 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of the total number of students at the school, 2.6% are international. Students from as far away as Saudi Arabia, India, and China come to Chico State to study. Out-of-state tuition and fees for undergraduates at Chico State is about $19,744 a year, on average. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $18,802 per year.

Full California State University - Chico Report

10

San Francisco State University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Colleges for Chinese Students in California ranking. SFSU is a large public school situated in San Francisco, California. It awarded 6,627 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 6.8% of the total student population at the school is international. Students studying at SFSU come from such countries as China, India, and Japan. International students at SFSU can expect to pay, on average, about $19,184 a year to attend the school. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $18,242 per year.

Read full report on San Francisco State University

11

California State University - San Bernardino ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Colleges for Chinese Students in California list. San Bernardino, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 4,061 students in 2020-2021.

Around 5.7% of the total student population at the school is international. Students from as far away as Saudi Arabia, China, and South Korea come to CSUSB to study. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at CSUSB runs, on average, about $19,093. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $18,151 per year.

Read full report on California State University - San Bernardino

12

California State University - East Bay did quite well in the 2021 Best Value Colleges for Chinese Students in California ranking, coming in at #12. 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. Out-of-state tuition and fees for undergraduates at Cal State East Bay is about $18,875 a year, on average. Graduate students pay around $17,933 a year in average tuition and fees.

Read full report on California State University - East Bay

13

California State University - San Marcos ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Colleges for Chinese Students in California list. Located in San Marcos, California, the fairly large public school handed out 3,749 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of the total number of students at the school, 3.8% are international. The top three countries sending students to study at CSUSM are China, Japan, and Saudi Arabia. Out-of-state tuition and fees for undergraduates at CSUSM is about $19,607 a year, on average. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $18,665 per year.

Read More…

14

With a ranking of #14, California State University - Los Angeles did quite well on the 2021 Best Value Colleges for Chinese Students in California. Located in Los Angeles, California, the large public school handed out 5,742 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 6.1% of the total student population at the school is international. Students from as far away as India, China, and Saudi Arabia come to Cal State LA to study. 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.

Full California State University - Los Angeles Report

15

California State University - Sacramento did quite well in the 2021 Best Value Colleges for Chinese Students in California ranking, coming in at #15. Located in Sacramento, California, the large public school awarded 7,644 diplomas to qualified bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Of the total number of students at the school, 3.9% are international. Students studying at Sac State come from such countries as India, China, and South Korea. Out-of-state tuition and fees for undergraduates at Sac State is about $19,272 a year, on average. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $18,330 per year.

Full California State University - Sacramento Report

16

California State University - Stanislaus landed the #16 spot on the 2021 Best Value Colleges for Chinese Students in California. Stan State is a fairly large public school situated in Turlock, California. It awarded 2,507 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of the total number of students at the school, 3.7% are international. Students studying at Stan State come from such countries as China, Saudi Arabia, and India. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at Stan State runs, on average, about $19,524. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $18,582 per year.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Read More…

17

Soka University of America ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Colleges for Chinese Students in California list. Aliso Viejo, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 85 students in 2020-2021.

International students make up 48.4% of the total student body at the school. Students from as far away as Japan, Nepal, and India come to Soka University to study. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at Soka University runs, on average, about $34,166. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $34,166 per year.

With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full Soka University of America Report

18
SSU crest
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Colleges for Chinese Students in California ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in Rohnert Park, California, and it awarded 2,038 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

International students make up 3.1% of the total student body at the school. Students from as far away as Japan, China, and Germany come to SSU to study. Out-of-state tuition and fees for undergraduates at SSU is about $19,868 a year, on average. Graduate students pay around $18,926 a year in average tuition and fees.

Full Sonoma State University Report

19

With a ranking of #19, California Baptist University did quite well on the 2021 Best Value Colleges for Chinese Students in California. Located in Riverside, California, the fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 2,008 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of the total number of students at the school, 2.8% are international. Students studying at Cal Baptist come from such countries as China, India, and Rwanda. International students at Cal Baptist can expect to pay, on average, about $37,018 a year to attend the school. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $14,320 per year.

Read full report on California Baptist University

20

California State University - Channel Islands ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Colleges for Chinese Students in California list. Located in Camarillo, California, the medium-sized public school handed out 2,147 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of the total number of students at the school, 3.6% are international. Students studying at CSUCI come from such countries as Germany, India, and France. International students at CSUCI can expect to pay, on average, about $18,697 a year to attend the school. Graduate students pay around $17,755 a year in average tuition and fees.

Read full report on California State University - Channel Islands

21

La Sierra University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Colleges for Chinese Students in California list. Located in Riverside, California, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 334 diplomas to qualified bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Around 11.1% of the total student population at the school is international. Students studying at La Sierra come from such countries as China, South Korea, and Brazil. Out-of-state tuition and fees for undergraduates at La Sierra is about $34,218 a year, on average. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $15,997 per year.

Full La Sierra University Report

22

Pacific Union College landed the #22 spot on the 2021 Best Value Colleges for Chinese Students in California. Angwin, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 189 students in 2020-2021.

International students make up 3.2% of the total student body at the school. The top three countries sending students to study at PUC are 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.

Read More…

23

William Jessup University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Colleges for Chinese Students in California list. William Jessup University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Rocklin, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 259 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

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.

Full William Jessup University Report

24

With a ranking of #24, Azusa Pacific University did quite well on the 2021 Best Value Colleges for Chinese Students in California. Located in Azusa, California, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 1,501 diplomas to qualified bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Around 3.3% of the total student population at the school is international. Students from as far away as China, South Korea, and Taiwan come to Azusa Pacific to study. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at Azusa Pacific runs, on average, about $41,510. Graduate students pay around $16,696 a year in average tuition and fees.

Read More…

25

The Master’s University and Seminary did quite well in the 2021 Best Value Colleges for Chinese Students in California ranking, coming in at #25. The Master’s University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Santa Clarita, California. The school has a small population, and 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. Graduate students pay around $8,580 a year in average tuition and fees.

Read full report on The Master’s University and Seminary

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*Avg Tuition and Fees and Avg 4-Year Grad Rate are for the top 25 schools only.

References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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