Explore universities and programs in Los Angeles, California for international students.
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Located in Southern California, and with a population of nearly four million people, Los Angeles is one of the biggest and most famous cities in the US. It’s home to the US film industry in Hollywood, making it a haven for movie stars, and the rich and famous.
Away from the glamour, LA offers international students a wealth of great education options, set against a backdrop of palm lined beaches and year round sunshine. It’s not surprising that Los Angeles is a popular choice for students studying overseas.
With well over 200 colleges and universities in or near LA, you’re bound to find an institution that suits you as an international student. Some of the universities in the Los Angeles area rank highly in the US, making it an attractive location to get a great education.
You can study programs in most subjects and areas in LA, with a particular focus on technology and science, as well as arts, modern language and English.
You can study at bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate level in Los Angeles, and no matter what program you’re interested in, you should be able to find an option that works for you.
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Tuition fees in Los Angeles vary greatly between different universities, but as an international student you could pay between $25,000 and $60,000 per year.
Los Angeles is one of the most expensive cities to live in in the US, so you may need a large budget for your living costs. Rent can be as much as double the national average, so living in campus halls could be a cheaper option.
| Category | Cost (in United States Dollar) |
|---|---|
| Rent, 1-bed apartment in city centre | $1,652 |
| Rent, 1-bed apartment outside centre | $1,349 |
| Utilities (electricity, heating, water, refuse) | $214 |
| Internet (60 Mbps unlimited) | $73 |
| Mobile phone plan (data + calls) | $61 |
| Monthly public transport pass | $65 |
| Monthly grocery basket | $350 |
| Coffee shop drink | $5 |
| Cinema or cultural event ticket | $15 |
| Gym membership | $45 |
Indicative monthly costs per person.
Data sourced from numbeo.com (Crowdsourced).
To be admitted into a Los Angeles university, you’ll need to meet their entry requirements. The requirements will differ between different programs and universities, but you’ll at least need to have completed secondary education.
You’ll also need to prove that your English language skills are good enough to study in LA. You can do this by taking a TOEFL iBT test, as it’s the most popular method of academic language testing in the US.
You’ll need to have the correct visa sorted before you can fully enroll at a university in Los Angeles. When you’ve been accepted onto a program and accepted your place, you should apply for your US F1 student visa.
I use public transport, it is not convenient for me that after the end of classes i have to wait a long time for the train or i have to leave earlier than class end to catch the train
Los Angeles is an incredible city with something to do every day! Living in LA allows you to meet people from all around the world and understand that multicultural spaces are normal.
I study in Los Angeles. I enjoy the city. Each weekend, I try to go to the ocean or go hiking. California is a perfect place with mostly sunny days during the year. Of course, Los Angeles is a huge city with traffic and some issues related to this.
