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California State University-Los Angeles

8.0(5)
VerifiedPublicEstd. 1947
Founded
1947
Type
Public
University Guide

About California State University-Los Angeles

Explore overview, courses, fees, admissions, campus life, scholarships and student accommodation guidance in one premium Admistay guide.

California State University, Los Angeles is a public university in USA, established in 1947. The university is home to more than 24,000 students including over 13,718 international students. Indian students constitute the largest international student body in Cal State University, LA. International students can pursue over 100 programs at California State University, Los Angeles. This includes 58 undergraduate degrees, 55 graduate degrees, and 4 doctoral programs through 8 academic schools.

To secure admission to California State University Los Angeles, students require a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0 (85%) for the undergraduate program. Graduate applicants must demonstrate a minimum GPA of 2.5 to 3.0 (77-85%) in undergraduate program. The average tuition fee at Cal State LA is 17,720​ USD (16.64 lakhs INR) per year across various academic levels. Students reportedly secure an average salary of 76,000 USD per annum (66.05 lakhs INR), demonstrating a high return on investment.

Also Check: Study in USA for International Students

Table of Contents
  1. Popular Courses at the California State University, LA
  2. California State University, LA Acceptance Rate

    2.1 California State University Los Angeles Graduate Admission

    2.2 California State University Los Angeles MBA Admission

    2.3 California State University Los Angeles Undergraduate Admission

  3. Rankings of California State University, LA
  4. Scholarships at California State University, LA
  5. California State University Demographic Profile
  6. FAQs

Popular Courses at the California State University, LA

The table below shows some of the popular courses at California State University, LA for international Students who wish to study at California State University, LA:

Course Name Duration Deadline Annual Tuition Fees (USD) Annual Tuition Fees (INR)
Master of Science (M.S) in Computer Science 2 years Aug 1, 2025 - Aug 31,2025
Oct 1, 2025 - Feb 15, 2026
$14,984 ₹12,79,933
MBA in Healthcare Management 2 years Oct 1, 2025 - Feb 15, 2026 $14,984 ₹12,79,933
MBA in Business Analytics 2 years Feb 2, 2026 $15,444 ₹13,19,226
Master of Business Administration (General) 2 years Aug 19, 2025 $14,984 ₹12,79,933
Master of Science (M.S) in Information Systems 2 years Feb 2, 2026 $21,284 ₹18,18,079
MBA in Finance 2 years Oct 1, 2025 $21,284 ₹18,18,079
Bachelor of Arts (B.A) in Graphic Design / Visual Communication 4 years Dec 20, 2025 $19,760 ₹16,87,899
Master of Science (M.S) in Finance 2 years Oct 1, 2025 $21,284 ₹18,18,079
Master of Science (M.S) in Healthcare Management 2 years Oct 1, 2025 - Feb 15, 2026 $14,984 ₹12,79,933
Bachelor of Science (B.S) in Computer Science 4 years Dec 20, 2025 $19,760 ₹16,87,899
Master of Arts (M.A) in Psychology 2 years Oct 1, 2025 $21,284 ₹18,18,079
Master of Arts (M.A) in Sociology 2 years Oct 1, 2025 $21,284 ₹18,18,079

Also Check: California State University Los Angeles Accommodation


California State University, LA Acceptance Rate

California State University Los Angeles is quite easy to get into. In 2024 around 87% of all students who applied got admission. This means 9 out of every 10 students were accepted. The chances are also good for international students. Their acceptance rate is also between 87 to 90 %. One report even said that about 7 out of every 100 admitted students are from other countries. So if you complete the basic requirements and apply on time you have a strong chance of getting admission.

California State University Los Angeles Graduate Admission

California State University offers 15 master's degrees and 5 post-baccalaureate certificate courses at graduate level. The entry for graduate programs at Cal State University is mentioned below:

Application Portal: Cal State Apply

Application Fees: 70 USD (5,803 INR)

Admission Requirements:

  • 4 year bachelor’s degree with 2.5-3.0 GPA (77-85%)
  • English language proficiency scores:
    • TOEFL IBT- 80
    • IELTS- 6.0
    • PTE- 53
    • Duolingo- 105

Documents Checklist:

  • 2 letters of recommendation
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Resume
  • Work Experience

California State University Los Angeles MBA Admission

California State University Los Angeles offers a 2 years full-time MBA and 16 months fully employed MBA program. The application for Cal State LA MBA is now closed for international students. International students may however apply for MBA in the next term. Mentioned below are the entry requirements for MBA admissions:

Application Portal: Cal State Apply

Application Fees: 70 USD (5,803 INR)

Admission Requirements:

  • 4 year bachelor’s degree with 3.0 GPA (85%)
  • GMAT/GRE score maybe required
  • Work experience or 3 years or at least 5 years for GMAT/GRE waiver
  • English language proficiency scores:
    • TOEFL IBT- 80
    • IELTS- 6.0
    • PTE- 53
    • Duolingo- 105

Documents Checklist:

  • Statement of Purpose
  • 2 letters of recommendations
  • Professional Resume

California State University Los Angeles Undergraduate Admission

California State University offers 100 Bachelors's degrees in 55 across 7 colleges. Some of the most popular and nationally recognized courses at Cal State LA include business, nursing and engineering. International students applying to UG programs at California State University Los Angeles, must meet the following requirements:

Application Portal: Cal State Apply

Application Fees: 70 USD (5,803 INR)

Admission Requirements:

  • High school qualification with 3.0 (85%)
  • English language proficiency scores:
    • TOEFL IBT- 61
    • IELTS- 5.5
    • PTE- 44
    • Duolingo- 95
  • Test Scores:
    • SAT- 830-1060
    • ACT- 15-21

Rankings of California State University, LA

The table below showcases the global ranking of the California State University, LA by some Prestigious Ranking Bodies for the Year 2025:

Ranking Body Rankings 2025
QS World University Ranking #1401
QS US University Ranking #201-230
US News National University Ranking #109
CWUR National Ranking #294

California State University Los Angeles has earned a steady place in national rankings. It is ranked number #109 by U S News and falls within the #201 to #230 range in the QS U S list. While its global QS rank is #1401 the university shows better performance within the country.


Scholarships at California State University, LA

International students enrolled at California State University are provided financial assistance in the form of scholarships, awards, and fellowships. Some of the scholarships at California State University for international students are as follows:

Scholarship/Funding Program Eligibility Award Amount Notes
Graduate Student Non-Resident Tuition Waiver International graduate students In-state tuition rate Limited number of waivers available. Application through College Associate Dean's Office in spring for fall semester.
Graduate Equity Fellowship Graduate students with financial need. Must have AB540 affidavit on file Up to $1,000 per semester Aims to increase diversity in graduate programs. Requires FAFSA or California Dream Act Application.
Howard C. Christiansen Endowed Scholarship Undergraduate or graduate engineering majors. Full-time enrollment. Minimum 3.0 GPA $5,000 Requires FAFSA or California Dream Act Application. Financial need considered.
National & International Scholarships and Fellowships Program (NISFeP) All students Varies by scholarship Provides support for applying to off-campus scholarships and fellowships. Includes application assistance and mock interviews.
Graduate Assistantships (GA) & Teaching Associate (TA) Positions Graduate students Varies Part-time employment opportunities. Check with academic departments for availability.
Travel Support Program Matriculated graduate students presenting at academic conferences Up to $750 reimbursement Application required. Funds are limited and subject to availability.
Culminating Project Fund Graduate students completing thesis or dissertation Reimbursement for approved expenses Supports research-related costs. Application through Office of Graduate Studies.
External Scholarships (e.g., Benjamin A. Gilman, Freeman-ASIA) Varies by scholarship Up to $8,000 Opportunities for study abroad funding. Eligibility and application periods vary.

California State University Demographic Profile

As per the Fall 2024 enrollment data, the following demographic profile of California State University offers valuable insight for international students to make an informed decision.

Ethnicity Headcount Percent
Hispanic/Latinx 225,946 48.9%
White 92,741 20.1%
Asian 71,425 15.5%
Two or More Races 21,527 4.7%
Black or African American 19,100 4.1%
Unknown Race and Ethnicity 14,965 3.2%
International Student 13,718 3.0%
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander 1,306 0.3%
American Indian or Alaskan Native 884 0.2%
Gender Headcount Percent
Female 258,550 56.0%
Male 203,062 44.0%

Also Check: California State University, LA Reviews

California State University Los Angeles provides many helpful services for international students. They offer orientation to help new students get comfortable with the campus and academic advising to guide their studies. The university also helps with visa questions and improving English skills. Students can join cultural events and get career advice to prepare for jobs. Friendly staff are always ready to support international students throughout their time at the university.

FAQs

Ques. Is GRE required for California State University Los Angeles?

Ans. Yes, a GRE score should be preferably included for your graduate application to be reviewed by California State University Los Angeles. A GRE score of 300 or higher or a GMAT score of 500 or higher is required for admission to the graduate courses in Cal State Los Angeles.

Ques. What GPA is needed for admission at California State University, Los Angeles?

Ans. International undergraduate students should have a minimum GPA of 3.0 (85%) on a scale of 4.0 for admission to California State University Los Angeles. Honors applicants require a GPA of 3.5 out of 4.0 (90%). Graduate applicants should have a minimum GPA of 2.5 to 3.0 (77-85%) on a scale of 4.0 to secure admission.

Ques. Where do California State University, Los Angeles graduates work?

Ans. Cal State LA graduates are employed across world leading companies like Nike, NASA, Tesla, Sherwin Williams, Insomniac, and CBRE among others. These graduates reportedly secure average annual salary of up to 100,000 USD. For an Indian, this cost is equivalent to 83.44 lakhs INR.

Courses & Fees

Compare courses in a cleaner, easier way

Explore tuition, duration, language, eligibility, and exam requirements without the clutter.

Courses

102

Fee from

₹14,74,672.5

Exams

TOEFL · IELTS

Showing 5 of 39 bachelors

Overview
Degree TypeBachelor
Duration4 years
Study ModeFull Time
LanguageEnglish
Fees
Tuition FeeINR 18.8 L/Yr
Native FeeUSD 20,130 /Yr
Estimated Total₹3328078
Fee trendTuition progression
Official Program Page
Admission Guide

Admission Process

California State University Los Angeles admissions are offered in fall, summer, and spring intakes every year. Admission-seeking applicants may choose from more than 110 programs at CSU Los Angeles across 7 academic departments. The California State University Los Angeles admissions are typically lightly selective 87% acceptance rate.

To get through Cal State Los Angeles graduate admissions, a GPA between 2.5-3.0 GPA (77-85%) is required. Those applying to the MBA program CSU Los Angeles must have 3.0 (85%) or above GPA for admissions. Students with 5 years of work experience post bachelor’s degree can be admitted without GMAT/GRE scores in MBA.

Also Check: California State University Los Angeles Admissions


California State University, LA Acceptance Rate

California State University Los Angeles accepted around 87 % of international applicants for the 2023 to 2024 intake. For the fall 2024 term alone, about 707 international students applied and around 340 of them were offered admission. Most students send in their applications between October and December and the university starts giving out decisions from the end of the year into early spring.


Popular Courses at the California State University, LA

The table below shows some of the popular courses at California State University, LA for international Students who wish to study at California State University, LA:

Course Name Duration Deadline Annual Tuition Fees (USD) Annual Tuition Fees (INR)
Master of Science (M.S) in Computer Science 2 years Aug 1, 2025 - Aug 31, 2025
Oct 1, 2025 - Feb 15, 2026
$14,984 ₹12,79,933
MBA in Healthcare Management 2 years Oct 1, 2025 - Feb 15, 2026 $14,984 ₹12,79,933
MBA in Business Analytics 2 years Feb 2, 2026 $15,444 ₹13,19,226
Master of Business Administration (General) 2 years Aug 19, 2025 $14,984 ₹12,79,933
Master of Science (M.S) in Information Systems 2 years Feb 2, 2026 $21,284 ₹18,18,079
MBA in Finance 2 years Oct 1, 2025 $21,284 ₹18,18,079
Bachelor of Arts (B.A) in Graphic Design / Visual Communication 4 years Dec 20, 2025 $19,760 ₹16,87,899
Master of Science (M.S) in Finance 2 years Oct 1, 2025 $21,284 ₹18,18,079
Master of Science (M.S) in Healthcare Management 2 years Oct 1, 2025 - Feb 15, 2026 $14,984 ₹12,79,933
Bachelor of Science (B.S) in Computer Science 4 years Dec 20, 2025 $19,760 ₹16,87,899
Master of Arts (M.A) in Psychology 2 years Oct 1, 2025 $21,284 ₹18,18,079
Master of Arts (M.A) in Sociology 2 years Oct 1, 2025 $21,284 ₹18,18,079

California State University Los Angeles Graduate Admission

California State University offers 15 master's degrees and 5 post-baccalaureate certificate courses at graduate level. The entry for graduate programs at Cal State University is mentioned below:

Application Portal: Cal State Apply

Application Fees: 70 USD (5,803 INR)

Admission Requirements:

  • 4 year bachelor’s degree with 2.5-3.0 GPA (77-85%)
  • English language proficiency scores:

Documents Checklist:


California State University Los Angeles MBA Admission

California State University Los Angeles offers a 2 years full-time MBA and 16 months fully employed MBA program. The application for Cal State LA MBA is now closed for international students. International students may however apply for MBA in the next term. Mentioned below are the entry requirements for MBA admissions:

Application Portal: Cal State Apply

Application Fees: 70 USD (5,803 INR)

Admission Requirements:

  • 4 year bachelor’s degree with 3.0 GPA (85%)
  • GMAT/GRE score maybe required
  • Work experience or 3 years or at least 5 years for GMAT/GRE waiver
  • English language proficiency scores:
    • TOEFL IBT- 80
    • IELTS- 6.0
    • PTE- 53
    • Duolingo- 105

Documents Checklist:


California State University Los Angeles Undergraduate Admission

California State University offers 100 Bachelors's degrees in 55 across 7 colleges. Some of the most popular and nationally recognized courses at Cal State LA include business, nursing and engineering. International students applying to UG programs at California State University Los Angeles, must meet the following requirements:

Application Portal: Cal State Apply

Application Fees: 70 USD (5,803 INR)

Admission Requirements:

  • High school qualification with 3.0 (85%)
  • English language proficiency scores:
    • TOEFL IBT- 61
    • IELTS- 5.5
    • PTE- 44
    • Duolingo- 95
  • Test Scores:
    • SAT- 830-1060
    • ACT- 15-21

Also Check: California State University Los Angeles Accommodation


California State University LA Admissions: Selection Criteria

California State University Los Angeles acceptance rate is 87% which means admissions are lightly selective. This indicates whoever meets the minimum requirements is likely to secure admissions at California State LA. The university majorly looks for applicant’s GPA during the evaluation process.

The high school and LOR does not affect an individual’s admission to the university. However, applicants must make sure, the information they have provided is authentic and thoroughly reviewed before submission


California State University LA Admission Decision

Most international students applying to Cal State LA for a fall term can expect to get their admission decision by March, after submitting their online application and supporting documents between October and December. Once admitted, you’ll need to complete the I‑20 request for the F‑1 visa, and the school will email you instructions on how to do that. If anything is unclear or you want to check on your status, you can reach the Cal State LA admissions office at 323‑343‑3901, or email [email protected].

California State University Los Angeles strictly does not accept any documents/academic records for admission, sent via FAX/Email. So, students need to request the issuing institutions or testing agencies to send the documents directly to the University. If the students want to submit any documents themselves, they can send them by mail or in person.

FAQs

Ques: What are the best reasons to attend Cal State Los Angeles?

Ans: The best reasons to attend Cal State Los Angeles are its diverse student community where you can meet people from many cultures, strong academic programs in fields like business and engineering, and the many campus resources like career centers and student clubs that support your growth. Its location in Los Angeles offers great job and internship opportunities, and the university is affordable compared to many others. These facts make Cal State LA a smart choice for students seeking both education and real-world experience.

Ques. Is GRE required for California State University Los Angeles?

Ans. GRe score are typically to required for admissions to California State University LA. However, applicants may still GRE scores if they wish to strengthen their application for Cal State University LA admissions.

Ques. Does California State University LA give scholarships to international students?

Ans. International students are eligible for several university funded and private scholarships at Cal State LA. Scholarship seeking students must follow the below mentioned steps to get scholarship at California State LA.

  • Complete a General Scholarship Application by visiting the Scholarship page of Cal State LA.
  • Upload your credentials and required documents.
  • Complete general questions.
  • Upload a personal statement
  • Provide a letter of recommendation from your high school or college faculty.
  • Apply for scholarships by April 18, 2024

Students meeting the minimum requirements will automatically be shortlisted for the scholarship they have applied

Placements & Recruiters

California State University-Los Angeles Placement Details

California State University-Los Angeles in Los Angeles, California, United States placement details include salary insights, top recruiters, and hiring trends to help students understand career outcomes and campus opportunities.

Students usually compare highest package, average package, and recruiter profile before applying. This section gives a compact overview of career outcomes and placement visibility in Los Angeles, California, United States.

Recruiters
N/A
Salary Metrics
0/2
Placement Metric

Highest Package

N/A

Represents the top salary package reported in the available placement information.

Placement Metric

Average Package

N/A

Shows the typical package range students may expect based on the available average salary data.

Placement information is currently limited.

More salary or recruiter data may be updated later for this college.

Rankings over the years

Year-wise highlights from global and country rankings available for this university.

2021

Highlights
2021
  • Best overall country rank: #285
  • Education: #38 in country
  • Top source: ARWU
  • 3 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Education, Psychology
  • 2 ranking records in 2021

2022

Highlights
2022
  • Best overall country rank: #277
  • Overall: #277 in country
  • Top source: CWUR
  • 1 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Overall
  • 1 ranking record in 2022

2023

Highlights
2023
  • Best overall country rank: #87
  • Overall: #87 in country
  • Top source: QS
  • 1 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Overall
  • 1 ranking record in 2023

2024

Highlights
2024
  • Best overall country rank: #90
  • Overall: #90 in country
  • Top source: US News
  • 1 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Overall
  • 2 ranking records in 2024

2025

Highlights
2025
  • Best overall country rank: #101
  • Public Health: #15 in country
  • Top source: US News
  • 3 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Overall, Public Policy
  • 3 ranking records in 2025

Contact Information

5151 State University Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90032

+1-323-343-3000

Student Reviews & Ratings

Overall sentiment and category-wise rating summary

Overall score

8.0/10
Top Rated

Based on 5 ratings

Rating Breakdown

Visual summary of rating distribution and categories

Live Summary
Academic
8.6/10
Faculty
8.0/10
Infrastructure
8.0/10
Accommodation
8.0/10
Placement
8.0/10
Extracurricular
9.5/10