Every year, a handful of international students visit Los Angeles to pursue higher education owing to the quality of education, competent faculties, appreciable college campuses and presence of diversity. Institutes like University of Southern California, University of California, Loyola Marymount University and Occidental College have consistently ranked among the top US colleges according to Times Higher Education.
The tuition fees for the top institutes in Los Angeles range from 14,000 to 60,000 USD per year. The living costs range from 15,000 to 30,000 USD every year and it depends hugely on the lifestyle and personal expenses of the student. For getting admission into a Los Angeles university, a student needs to have satisfactory scores in the state or local examinations in their home country, participation in extracurricular activities, a satisfactory GPA, SOP for USA, LOR, additional requirements etc.
Prospective students should also submit scores of standardized exams like SAT and ACT and english proficiency tests like TOEFL, IELTS and satisfy the minimum score requirements for the intended universities. Other supporting documents for admission to Los Angeles universities are personal statements, academic and professional LOR, financial certification, health insurance, immigration documents etc. There are institutes which might require interviews, portfolios, auditions for art and architecture courses, therefore all that information must be checked online.
Los Angeles has been named as one of the best cities in the world for pursuing higher education by most ranking surveys. Students looking to study at Los Angeles can even avail scholarships to study in USA in the form of financial aid to fund their student expenses. Federal work study option is also available for students and they can work upto a maximum of 20 hours a week and receive a bi-weekly paycheck. Students should check the following details regarding admission before they apply to study at an institute in Los Angeles.
Also check: MBA in USA
Rankings of Top Universities in Los Angeles
The top institutes in Los Angeles and their US News and World Report rankings are given below:
| University | US News and World Report National Universities Rankings, 2022 |
|---|---|
| California Institute of Technology | #9, National Universities |
| California State Polytechnic University- Pomona | #14 in Regional Universities, West |
| California State University- Dominguez Hills | #59 in Regional Universities, West |
| Chapman University | #122 in National universities |
| Claremont McKenna College | #8 in National Liberal Arts Colleges |
| Loyola Marymount University | #75 in National Universities |
| Mount Saint Mary’s University | #27 in Regional Universities West |
| Occidental College | #42 in National Liberal Arts Colleges |
| University of California, Los Angeles | #20 in National Universities, #40 in World Universities |
| University of Southern California | #27 in National Universities |
Why Study in the Universities in Los Angeles
There are several reasons which make Los Angeles an ideal place for pursuing higher education. The city provides academic excellence, top notch quality of education, a qualified set of faculty, availability of employment to international students from all over the globe. These reasons make Los Angeles a perfect place to pursue higher education from.
- There are more than 10 universities in LA featured in the QS Top Universities ranking 2022. University of California, Los Angeles has a QS World University Ranking of 40. Los Angeles universities have consistently ranked among the best universities globally and nationally across various ranking surveys.
- According to NAFSA: Association of International Educators there are currently 49,662 international students studying in Los Angeles, California, USA. The presence of rich diversity attracts even more international students to study in the city every year.
- Los Angeles is the epicenter of the entertainment industry, being home to Hollywood and it gives students a lot of options to explore their additional interests in. During weekends or holidays, they can visit theaters, amusement parks, museums etc which are present there in abundance.
- Out of the 105 publicly owned companies headquartered in California in the 2021 Fortune 500 list, 22 are headquartered in Los Angeles county. The city has several industries of different segments like art, finance, media etc which opens a door of opportunities for prospective employees.
- The public library at Los Angeles has over 84 library outlets located throughout the city. There are also two world class museums, the Museum of Art and Natural History Museum.
- Universities in Los Angeles provide a wide range of academic options in various disciplines, which gives an international student the liberty of choosing any subject or course provided they fulfill the criteria.
Explore: STEM courses in USA
Popular Programs at Universities in Los Angeles
The most popular programs across the most sought out universities in Los Angeles are given below in a table format:
| University | Most Popular Courses |
|---|---|
| University of Southern California | Business, Biology, Communications, Computer Science |
| Pomona College | Economics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Neuroscience and Neurobiology |
| University of California- Los Angeles | Economics, Sociology, Political Science and Government, Psychology |
| John Cabot University | Criminal Justice and Safety Studies, Business, Kinesiology and Exercise Science |
| Claremont McKenna College | Economics, Political Science and Government, Research and Experimental Psychology, Liberal Arts and Humanities |
| University of California- Irvine | Biology, Managerial Economics, Social Psychology, Computer Science, Public Health, Criminology |
| Pepperdine University | Business, Public Relations, Psychology, Economics, International Studies |
| Loyola Marymount University | Communications, Psychology, Marketing, Finance, Economics |
| California State University- Long Beach | Business, Psychology, Family Studies and Consumer Sciences, Communications, Sociology |
| California State University- Fullerton | Business, Communications, Psychology, Early Childhood Education, Sociology |
Intake at Universities in Los Angeles
There are mainly three seasons of intake in USA offered in colleges and universities. They are Fall, Spring and Summer. The deadlines are mentioned below:
| Intake periods | Deadlines |
|---|---|
| Fall intake | From September to December |
| Spring intake | From January to May |
| Summer intake | Usually starts around May |
Students might get confused regarding what intake they should take. Therefore, they should take into account the availability of the required program, academic records, English language proficiency test scores, standardized exam scores and acceptance rates of the institution.
Admission Process at Los Angeles Universities
To get admission into the top colleges and universities in Los Angeles, it is very important to understand the eligibility criteria and admissions process. The admissions processes vary from university to university but there are some general requirements for studying in Los Angeles. They are given below:
- Students must have an aggregate of 70% or higher in their high school examinations to apply as a freshman.
- The postgraduate courses require a 60% or above in bachelor’s courses for admission, though the percentage varies from course to course and university to university.
- Standardized test scores like SAT, ACT are not mandatory currently but can be provided to elevate chances of getting admission.
- International students are required to provide proof of English proficiency through an English proficiency test like IELTS, TOEFL etc.
- MBA aspirants are required to have at least 2 to 3 years of quality work experience.
The documents required for admission in Los Angeles universities are:
- Official transcripts from the previous institution, translated in English. Reports from state or national level examinations are also required.
- A valid passport.
- Photographs in the requested format.
- US student visa
- Results approved by a NACES organization.
- English proficiency test scores like IELTS, TOEFL etc.
- Standardized test scores like SAT, ACT are optional.
- Academic LOR
- CV or Resume.
- Interviews, if asked.
- Auditions and portfolios for architecture and art-based programs.
- GMAT/GRE scores required for master’s courses.
- Personal statement.
- Work experience required for MBA/ other master’s programs.
- Research proposal required in case of PhD candidates.
- Additional requirements based on university and program.
How to Apply to Universities in Los Angeles?
To apply to universities in Los Angeles, the official websites of the institutes must be checked thoroughly. Several institutes accept the Common Application as well as the Coalition application or the candidate can directly apply through the college’s website. Students need to gather all the admission materials, check the admission deadlines and submit everything accordingly. The following steps must be followed to apply to a university in Los Angeles.
- First, the student should target a specific course. If they are applying as a freshman, they should check the courses the city offers bachelor programs in. Based on the student’s academic preference and background, a number of courses can be selected.
- They should select and shortlist the universities in USA they are planning to apply to. There is an option to apply for multiple universities at once through the Common Application or students can apply to the university websites directly.
- After that, the entry requirements for the preferred course should be checked out. Students can browse and apply to the selected universities based on the eligibility requirements.
- English proficiency tests and other standardized test exams should be taken. Examinations like TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, ACT should be taken since most universities require the scores for admission. English proficiency tests are mandatory.
- The application deadlines should be checked thoroughly. Los Angeles universities generally admit students through Spring, Summer and Fall sessions and the deadlines for each session is given on the university website.
- Then the student should arrange all the documents to submit them along with the application. Basic and additional requirements should be fulfilled as asked by the university.
- Lastly, the candidate should submit the application through the Common Application or university’s official website.
Universities in Los Angeles Application Deadlines
The application deadlines for the most popular colleges in Los Angeles are given below:
| University | Application deadline for international students |
|---|---|
| California Institute of Technology | Fall- January 3 |
| California Polytechnic University- Pomona | Fall- November 3 Spring- August 30 |
| California State University- Los Angeles | Fall- March 31 |
| Loyola Marymount University | Fall- January 15 Spring- October 15 |
| Mount Saint Mary’s University | Fall- June 1 |
| Occidental College | Fall- January 10 |
| University of California- Los Angeles | Fall- November 30 |
| University of Southern California | Fall- January 15 |
Top Universities in Los Angeles for MBA
The top institutes in Los Angeles for pursuing admission to MBA in USA are given below:
| Name of the institute | Concentrations | Application Deadlines |
|---|---|---|
| UCLA University of California, Los Angeles- Anderson School of Management | Accounting, Consulting, Brand Management, Corporate Finance, Technology Leadership, Entertainment | April 16 |
| University of Southern California- Marshall School of Business | Consulting, Technology, Media and Entertainment, Retail and Consumer goods | August |
| California State University- Long Beach (CSULB) | Entrepreneurship and Innovation | June 1 |
| Pepperdine University- Graziadio School of Business and Management | Digital Information and Innovations Systems, Dispute Resolution, Entrepreneurship, Finance | April 26 |
| University of California, Irvine, The Paul Merage School of Business | Accounting, Finance, Information Systems, Interdisciplinary Studies, marketing | April 1 |
| California State University, Los Angeles | Accounting, Finance, Information Systems, Marketing | January, August |
| California State University- Fullerton | Accounting, Business Analytics, Entrepreneurship, Finance, General | October 15 |
| Loyola Marymount University- College of Business Administration | Entrepreneurship, Finance, Marketing | March 6, May 6, July 6, November 18, December 2 |
| Mount Saint Mary’s University, Los Angeles | Entrepreneurship, Organizational Leadership, Project Management | January, May, September |
| Brentwood University | Accounting, Entrepreneurship, | May, September |
The application requirements for the top universities in Los Angeles are as follows:
| Name of the institute | Academic qualification | English language proficiency test score requirements | Statement of purpose, letters of recommendation | GRE/GMAT | Work experience |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of California- Los Angeles | Must have passed class XII with an aggregate of 70% or above. | TOEFL iBT- 100 IELTS- 70 Duolingo- 120 | Both required | Required in case of MBA and some graduate programs | Required for MBA and professional programs. |
| University of Southern California | Must have passed class XII with an aggregate of 70% or above. | TOEFL iBT- 100 IELTS- 70 Duolingo- 120 PTE- 68 SAT- 650 ACT- 27 | Required in some programs | GRE- Verbal 153, Quantitative- 144 | Required in MBA program. |
| California State University, Los Angeles | Candidates must have passed high school with a grade C or above. | TOEFL iBT- 61 IELTS- 5.5 PTE- 44 Duolingo- 95 | Required in graduate programs | GMAT- 500 GRE- 300 | Required for MBA program |
| Loyola Marymount University | Students must have passed class XII with an aggregate of 60% or above. | TOEFL iBT- 90 IELTS- 6.5 PTE- 53 Duolingo -105 | Required | Required for graduate programs | Required for graduate programs |
Cost of Study at Universities in Los Angeles
It is very important to draw up a budget before arriving at Los Angeles for pursuing higher education. There are additional living expenses apart from tuition fees and the cost of attendance should be planned beforehand. The cost of living in Los Angeles is explained in a tabular format below:
| Type of Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees | 13,258 USD |
| Room and meals | 16,663 USD |
| Books and supplies | 1,404 USD |
| Transportation | 606 USD |
| Personal | 1,467 USD |
| Health insurance | 2,799 USD |
| Nonresident supplemental tuition | 29,754 USD |
| Total | 66,051 USD |
Also Check: Cost of living in USA
Tuition Fees of Universities in Los Angeles
The most popular institutes in Los Angeles for international students along with their full tuition fees are noted below:
| Name of the Institute | Full Tuition Fees |
|---|---|
| University of Southern California | 59,072 USD |
| Pepperdine University | 58,002 USD |
| Occidental College | 56,576 USD |
| California Institute of Technology | 56,862 USD |
| Loyola Marymount University | 52,577 USD |
| Otis College of Art and Design | 49,680 USD |
| Southern California Institute of Architecture | 45,892 USD |
| Mount Saint Mary’s University | 44,474 USD |
| University of California, Los Angeles | 42,980 USD |
| Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising | 31,870 USD |
| California State Univ, Los Angeles | 18,648 USD |
| Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science | 18,130 USD |
Scholarships at Universities in Los Angeles
Studying in the USA can be a costly affair for most international students. However, with scholarships for Indian students in USA, the cost of studying can come down significantly. The universities in Los Angeles offer financial aid in the form of scholarships, loans, federal work study opportunities, etc. The most mentionable scholarships which are offered to international students at Los Angeles universities are given below:
| Name of the Scholarship | Eligibility Criteria | Type of Funding |
|---|---|---|
| Fullbright Foreign Student Scholarship Program USA | Masters, PhD | Fully funded |
| Techgirls 2022 scholarship application | Women across all courses and streams | Fully funded |
| Optimist International Oratorical Contest Scholarships 2022 | Undergraduate students | Partial funding |
| MyCreative Shops Scholarship USA 2022 | Undergraduate and graduate students | Partial funding |
| American Association of university women international fellowship round 2022 | Master’s PhD, post-doctorate female students | Partial funding |
| Atlas Corps Emerging Global leaders professional international fellowships in USA 2022 | Engineering and Technology students | Partial funding |
| Hubert Humphrey Fellowships 2022 | Undergraduate and graduate international students | Fully funded |
| AAUW International Fellowships for women in USA | Master’s, phD, post-doctorate students | Partial funding |
Universities in Los Angeles Placements
After getting a degree from an institute in Los Angeles, students can also secure placement there. There are options which let an international graduate stay and work there under a number of conditions. The average salaries after graduating from the top universities in Los Angeles and the employment fields are stated below:
| Employment Field | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Legal Department | 207,000 USD |
| Executive Management and Change | 180,000 USD |
| Media, Communication and Advertising | 175,000 USD |
| Public Sector and Not for profit | 142,000 USD |
| Compliance, AML, KYC and monitoring | 117,000 USD |
| Legal and paralegal | 113,000 USD |
Learn more about high paying jobs for international students in the USA, here.
It can be concluded that Los Angeles, USA is renowned for attracting a lot of international students every year. LA is known for the presence of top notch universities, qualified instructors, a sprawling metropolis and ethnic diversity. Being the hub of the entertainment industry and academic superiority, Los Angeles opens up a wide array of opportunities for education enthusiasts all over the world. With promising degrees and placements offering lucrative salaries, Los Angeles has surely made a noticeable mark as one of the most significant cities for pursuing higher education.
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