Study in University of California, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
Overview for International Students
UCLA is the #1 ranked public university in the US, located in the Westside of Los Angeles. With access to the entertainment industry, Silicon Beach tech scene, and a massive alumni network, UCLA offers international students a uniquely LA-flavored experience with a strong global graduate placement record.
- #1 public university in the US (US News 2024)
- Located in LA - access to entertainment, tech, and healthcare industries
- Lower tuition than private peers while maintaining elite outcomes
- 13,000+ international students from 124 countries
- STEM OPT eligible programs in Engineering, CS, and Life Sciences
- One of the most applied-to universities in the world (~170K applications/year)
Who Thrives at UCLA?
UCLA's strength is its sheer diversity of opportunity. At 47,000 students, it is a city within a city - and the surrounding city is Los Angeles, which means entertainment, tech, healthcare, and finance are all accessible in ways they aren't at smaller campuses. The tradeoff is that you need to be proactive: large class sizes mean professors won't seek you out. International students who do well here tend to be self-directed, have a clear major in mind, and take advantage of the enormous career center and industry connections early. For budget-conscious students who want a serious academic credential, UCLA's tuition-to-outcome ratio is genuinely hard to beat.
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Admissions Requirements
Application Deadlines
Popular Majors for International Students
Scholarships for International Students
Jobs & OPT for International Students
Top Employers Who Hire from UCLA
Cost Summary (Annual)
Estimates for 2025–26 academic year. Actual costs vary. Check university website for current figures.