California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA): Costs & Guide for International Students

California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA) is a public university in the University Hills area of East Los Angeles, about five miles from downtown. Part of the California State University system, it is known for engineering, criminal justice and forensic science, nursing, business, education, and television and film, and is consistently recognised for social mobility. This guide covers 2026-27 costs, programmes, and F-1 and OPT rules.

Quick facts snapshot

• Institution: California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA), a public university in East Los Angeles
• Location: University Hills, about five miles east of downtown Los Angeles, with its own Metrolink and bus station
• 2026-27 out-of-state tuition and fees (reported): about US$21,930
• 2026-27 food and housing (reported): about US$20,526
• 2026-27 total cost for out-of-state students (reported): about US$47,121
• Nonresident tuition: US$471 per unit (CSU systemwide, 2026-27)
• Known for: engineering, criminal justice and forensic science, nursing, business, education, and television and film

Rankings and reputation

Cal State LA is recognised nationally for social mobility and serves a highly diverse student body. It is not highly placed in global research tables. Judge it on programme and cost.

Academics and signature programs

Cal State LA offers majors in civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering, computer science, criminal justice, forensic science, nursing, business, kinesiology, education, television, film, and music, plus graduate programmes. Ask about STEM designation and impacted majors.

Admissions and international eligibility

Admission is based on academic records and English. After admission, the university issues an I-20, and you apply for an F-1 visa. Some impacted majors have higher requirements.

English language requirements

• CSU campuses commonly require IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 61 for undergraduates; check your campus
• Graduate programmes often require higher scores
• Some campuses offer conditional admission with English study
• Confirm requirements before applying

Application checklist

A typical application goes through Cal State Apply and includes transcripts, English results, passport details, and financial documents for the I-20.

Tuition, living costs, and scholarships

Reported 2026-27 figures for out-of-state students, which apply to international students, put tuition and fees at about US$21,930, food and housing at about US$20,526, and the total at about US$47,121. Check Cal State LA's international office for the official I-20 estimate.

Estimated living costs

• F-1 applicants must show proof of funds covering at least a year of costs
• F-1 rules restrict off-campus work, so plan for little income while studying
• On-campus housing and meal plans offer predictable costs for first-year students
• Health insurance meeting the university's standards is generally required
• Winters can be cold in the northern states, so budget for winter clothing

Scholarships

International students have limited access to need-based aid. Ask about campus and departmental scholarships.

Campus life and student support

Cal State LA's hilltop campus has its own transit station with Metrolink trains and buses, residence halls, and the Hertzberg-Davis Forensic Science Center, shared with Los Angeles crime labs.

Career outcomes and post-study work rights

Los Angeles offers jobs in entertainment, engineering, aerospace, health care, logistics, and public services. Cal State LA's criminal justice and engineering graduates are well connected locally. International students need CPT and OPT.

US Optional Practical Training

After completing a US degree, F-1 graduates can apply for Optional Practical Training, which allows up to 12 months of work related to their field, extendable by 24 months for STEM-designated programs. OPT is tied to the degree, so time on a pathway alone does not create post-study work rights. Confirm your program's STEM status with the international office, and check current rules with the US government.

How CSU tuition works for international students

California State University campuses charge systemwide tuition (US$6,838 a year for undergraduates in 2026-27) plus campus fees, and international and other nonresident students pay an extra US$471 per semester unit. A full-time undergraduate taking 12 units each semester pays about US$11,304 a year in nonresident tuition on top of resident charges, so total tuition and fees are usually about US$19,000 to US$25,000 a year depending on the campus and units taken. This makes CSU campuses among the more affordable public options for international students in the US.

Forensic science and criminal justice

Cal State LA's Hertzberg-Davis Forensic Science Center houses university teaching labs alongside the Los Angeles Police Department and Los Angeles County Sheriff's crime laboratories, a rare arrangement. Students in criminalistics and criminal justice benefit from this connection.

Living in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is expensive for rent, and traffic is heavy. Cal State LA's transit station makes living along train lines practical. Shared housing reduces costs.

Impacted majors and admission

Some CSU majors, such as nursing, computer science, and some engineering and business programmes, are impacted, meaning they have more applicants than places and higher admission standards. International applicants may need higher grades for these majors. Check impaction status for your major and campus before applying, and consider a backup major.

CPT, OPT, and STEM OPT

F-1 students can do internships through Curricular Practical Training when the work is part of the curriculum, and can work after graduation through Optional Practical Training, usually 12 months. Graduates of STEM-designated programmes can apply for a 24-month extension. Check your major's CIP code and talk to the international office before accepting any job.

Visa and arrival steps

After admission, the university issues an I-20. You pay the SEVIS fee, book an F-1 visa interview, and arrive before orientation with financial documents showing you can pay the full estimated cost.

Questions for current students

If possible, speak with current Cal State LA students about housing, transport, internships, and campus life. Their experience can help you judge whether it suits you and what to budget for in the first year.

Health insurance and pre-arrival preparation

International students on F-1 visas are generally required to carry health insurance meeting the university's standards. Budget for the SEVIS I-901 fee, the visa fee, and flights, and prepare for a visa interview, whose waiting times vary by country.

What to expect in your first months

The first weeks involve orientation, English placement where needed, and learning how US classes work, with regular assignments and participation. Students who use tutoring and advising early tend to reach progression targets more comfortably.

A realistic budget

At about US$47,121 a year, four years would cost about US$190,000 before scholarships.

Questions to ask before you accept an offer

• What is the full cost of attendance for international students?
• Is my major impacted?
• Is my major STEM-designated?
• What housing is available?
• How do internships and CPT work?
• What scholarships can international students receive?

Who Cal State LA suits best

Cal State LA suits students who want an affordable public university in Los Angeles with strong engineering, criminal justice, and media programmes and good transit links. It may suit less well students who want a quiet residential campus.

Cal State LA compared with other Los Angeles universities

UCLA and USC are more selective and expensive, while CSULB, CSUN, and CSUDH are other CSU options. Compare programme, location, and cost.

Step-by-step application roadmap

1. Choose your program and confirm entry requirements.
2. Check the English requirement and book a test if needed.
3. Apply with transcripts and passport details.
4. Accept your offer, pay any deposit, and receive your I-20.
5. Apply for your F-1 visa and prepare for the interview.
6. Arrange travel and attend orientation.

Preparing your documents early

Order certified transcripts and translations, arrange financial documents, and check that your passport is valid for the whole study period. Keep written confirmation of program costs, scholarships, and progression terms.

Key takeaway

Cal State LA offers an affordable, transit-connected public university in Los Angeles. Confirm official I-20 costs before applying.

Support for international students

CSU international offices help with I-20s, orientation, maintaining F-1 status, CPT and OPT applications, and travel signatures. Campuses also offer tutoring, writing centres, counselling, and student clubs, including cultural associations. Using these services early helps you settle in and avoid visa mistakes.

Comparing total costs

When comparing Cal State LA with other campuses, use each university's own international estimate. Living along Metrolink or bus lines can reduce transport costs.

Final checks before you apply

Ask Cal State LA's international office for its official I-20 estimate, since the figures above are reported, and check whether your major is impacted.

Frequently asked questions