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2021 Best Affordable Colleges in California for Students from Australia

26 Colleges
$38,593 Avg Tuition & Fees*
50% Avg 4-Year Grad Rate*

It's not easy to decide which college to attend when there are so many options available for international students. At College Factual, we're committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our Best Value Colleges for Australian Students in California ranking.

We analyzed 26 colleges and universities across California to determine which were the best for Australian 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.

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Top Value Colleges in California for Students from Australia

See which schools came out on top of our ranking:

1

Our analysis found California State University - Long Beach to be the best affordable school for Australian students in California in this year’s ranking. 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. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at CSULB runs, on average, about $18,726. 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

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend San Diego State University. It ranked #2 on our 2021 Best Colleges for Australian students in California list. Located in San Diego, California, the large public school awarded 8,719 diplomas to qualified bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Around 5.4% of the total student population at the school is international. Students studying at SDSU come from such countries as China, India, and Kuwait. Out-of-state tuition and fees for undergraduates at SDSU is about $20,016 a year, on average. 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.

Read More…

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Monterey Bay. The school came in at #3 in this year’s ranking. CSUMB is a public institution located in Seaside, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,805 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of the total number of students at the school, 4.7% are international. Students from as far away as Japan, China, and Germany come to CSUMB to study. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at CSUMB runs, on average, about $19,098. Graduate students pay around $18,156 a year in average tuition and fees.

Read More…

4

A rank of #4 on our list means California State University - Northridge is a great place for Australian students in California working on their bachelor’s degree. This large public school is located in Northridge, California, and it awarded 9,572 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of the total number of students at the school, 6.2% are international. Students studying at CSUN come from such countries as Kuwait, China, and India. International students at CSUN can expect to pay, on average, about $18,923 a year to attend the school. Graduate students pay around $17,981 a year in average tuition and fees.

Read More…

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend San Jose State University. The school came in at #5 in this year’s ranking. 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. Students studying at San Jose State come from such countries as India, China, and Vietnam. International students at San Jose State can expect to pay, on average, about $19,732 a year to attend the school. Graduate students pay around $18,790 a year in average tuition and fees.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read More…

6

California State University - San Bernardino came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Colleges for Australian Students in California ranking. 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 studying at CSUSB come from such countries as Saudi Arabia, China, and South Korea. Out-of-state tuition and fees for undergraduates at CSUSB is about $19,093 a year, on average. Graduate students pay around $18,151 a year in average tuition and fees.

Read More…

7

San Francisco State University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Colleges for Australian Students in California list. SFSU is a large public school situated in San Francisco, California. It awarded 6,627 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

International students make up 6.8% of the total student body at the school. Students studying at SFSU come from such countries as China, India, and Japan. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at SFSU runs, on average, about $19,184. Graduate students pay around $18,242 a year in average tuition and fees.

Read full report on San Francisco State University

8

California State University - East Bay did quite well in the 2021 Best Value Colleges for Australian Students in California ranking, coming in at #8. Located in Hayward, California, the fairly large public school handed out 4,189 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of the total number of students at the school, 7.2% are international. Students from as far away as China, India, and Saudi Arabia come to Cal State East Bay to study. International students at Cal State East Bay can expect to pay, on average, about $18,875 a year to attend the school. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $17,933 per year.

Read full report on California State University - East Bay

9

With a ranking of #9, California Baptist University did quite well on the 2021 Best Value Colleges for Australian 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.

Around 2.8% of the total student population at the school is international. Students studying at Cal Baptist come from such countries as China, India, and Rwanda. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at Cal Baptist runs, on average, about $37,018. Graduate students pay around $14,320 a year in average tuition and fees.

Full California Baptist University Report

10

The Master’s University and Seminary did quite well in the 2021 Best Value Colleges for Australian Students in California ranking, coming in at #10. Santa Clarita, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 270 students in 2020-2021.

Of the total number of students at the school, 1.3% are international. Students studying at The Master’s University come from such countries as Canada, South Africa, and South Korea. Out-of-state tuition and fees for undergraduates at The Master’s University is about $28,740 a year, on average. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $8,580 per year.

Read full report on The Master’s University and Seminary

11

University of California - San Diego ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Colleges for Australian Students in California list. La Jolla, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 9,086 students in 2020-2021.

Around 21.4% of the total student population at the school is international. The top three countries sending students to study at UCSD are China, India, and South Korea. International students at UCSD can expect to pay, on average, about $44,454 a year to attend the school. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $28,666 per year.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full University of California - San Diego Report

12

University of California - Los Angeles came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Colleges for Australian Students in California ranking. University of California - Los Angeles is a large public school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 10,102 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 13.8% of the total student population at the school is international. Students studying at UCLA come from such countries as China, South Korea, and India. Out-of-state tuition and fees for undergraduates at UCLA is about $43,012 a year, on average. Graduate students pay around $28,138 a year in average tuition and fees.

With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on University of California - Los Angeles

13

With a ranking of #13, University of California - Irvine did quite well on the 2021 Best Value Colleges for Australian Students in California. UC Irvine is located in Irvine, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 9,882 bachelor’s degrees to qualified undergraduates.

Of the total number of students at the school, 18.4% are international. The top three countries sending students to study at UC Irvine are China, India, and South Korea. International students at UC Irvine can expect to pay, on average, about $43,529 a year to attend the school. Graduate students pay around $28,458 a year in average tuition and fees.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read More…

14

University of California - Davis did quite well in the 2021 Best Value Colleges for Australian Students in California ranking, coming in at #14. This large public school is located in Davis, California, and it awarded 9,846 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 17.5% of the total student population at the school is international. Students studying at UC Davis come from such countries as China, India, and South Korea. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at UC Davis runs, on average, about $44,399. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $28,710 per year.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on University of California - Davis

15

University of California - Berkeley did quite well in the 2021 Best Value Colleges for Australian Students in California ranking, coming in at #15. Berkeley, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 10,523 students in 2020-2021.

Around 16.2% of the total student population at the school is international. Students from as far away as China, South Korea, and India come to UC Berkeley to study. International students at UC Berkeley can expect to pay, on average, about $43,980 a year to attend the school. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $29,262 per year.

With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on University of California - Berkeley

16

University of California - Santa Barbara came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Colleges for Australian Students in California ranking. Located in Santa Barbara, California, the large public school handed out 7,001 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 14.9% of the total student population at the school is international. Students studying at UCSB come from such countries as China, India, and South Korea. International students at UCSB can expect to pay, on average, about $44,171 a year to attend the school. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $28,683 per year.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on University of California - Santa Barbara

17

Loyola Marymount University did quite well in the 2021 Best Value Colleges for Australian Students in California ranking, coming in at #17. Loyola Marymount is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 1,856 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of the total number of students at the school, 9.5% are international. The top three countries sending students to study at Loyola Marymount are Indonesia, China, and Saudi Arabia. Out-of-state tuition and fees for undergraduates at Loyola Marymount is about $53,051 a year, on average. Graduate students pay around $19,922 a year in average tuition and fees.

Read full report on Loyola Marymount University

18

With a ranking of #18, University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well on the 2021 Best Value Colleges for Australian Students in California. UC Santa Cruz is a fairly large public school situated in Santa Cruz, California. It awarded 5,426 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of the total number of students at the school, 9.6% are international. Students from as far away as China, India, and Taiwan come to UC Santa Cruz to study. Out-of-state tuition and fees for undergraduates at UC Santa Cruz is about $43,824 a year, on average. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $28,997 per year.

Read More…

19

University of the Pacific ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Colleges for Australian Students in California list. Located in Stockton, California, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 872 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

International students make up 7.5% of the total student body at the school. Students from as far away as China, South Korea, and India come to Pacific to study. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at Pacific runs, on average, about $52,352. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $50,638 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.

Read full report on University of the Pacific

20

University of San Diego did quite well in the 2021 Best Value Colleges for Australian Students in California ranking, coming in at #20. This medium-sized private not-for-profit school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 1,672 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

International students make up 5.7% of the total student body at the school. Students studying at USD come from such countries as China, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. International students at USD can expect to pay, on average, about $52,864 a year to attend the school. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $28,410 per year.

Read full report on University of San Diego

21

University of San Francisco did quite well in the 2021 Best Value Colleges for Australian Students in California ranking, coming in at #21. USFCA is a private not-for-profit institution located in San Francisco, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,682 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of the total number of students at the school, 12.7% are international. The top three countries sending students to study at USFCA are China, India, and Indonesia. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at USFCA runs, on average, about $53,472. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $27,250 per year.

Read More…

22

With a ranking of #22, Saint Mary’s College of California did quite well on the 2021 Best Value Colleges for Australian Students in California. Located in Moraga, California, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 717 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

International students make up 2.7% of the total student body at the school. Students from as far away as China, Canada, and Australia come to SMC to study. International students at SMC can expect to pay, on average, about $51,768 a year to attend the school. Graduate students pay around $33,357 a year in average tuition and fees.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Saint Mary’s College of California

23

Stanford University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Colleges for Australian Students in California list. This fairly large private not-for-profit school is located in Stanford, California, and it awarded 1,511 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of the total number of students at the school, 23.9% are international. Students studying at Stanford come from such countries as China, India, and Canada. International students at Stanford can expect to pay, on average, about $56,169 a year to attend the school. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $55,011 per year.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read More…

24

California Institute of Technology ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Colleges for Australian Students in California list. Caltech is located in Pasadena, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 227 bachelor’s degrees to qualified undergraduates.

Of the total number of students at the school, 30.5% are international. Students from as far away as China, India, and Canada come to Caltech to study. Out-of-state tuition and fees for undergraduates at Caltech is about $58,680 a year, on average. Graduate students pay around $58,443 a year in average tuition and fees.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full California Institute of Technology Report

25

Pepperdine University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Colleges for Australian Students in California list. Pepperdine is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Malibu, California. It awarded 1,024 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of the total number of students at the school, 9.6% are international. Students studying at Pepperdine come from such countries as China, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia. International students at Pepperdine can expect to pay, on average, about $59,702 a year to attend the school. Graduate students pay around $37,420 a year in average tuition and fees.

Full Pepperdine University Report

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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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