Stanford University California (#3), Caltech California (#10), UCLA California (#46), and the University of Southern California (#146) are among the top universities in California. Popular courses at California State Universities are MBA, MS Computer Science and MS Data Science. The minimum eligibility criteria for admission into the top universities in California are 75% in a UG degree. English Language tests like IELTS (6.5-7.5) and TOEFL (80-100) are required for Indian students. The Annual Fee range at universities in California is USD 20,046-85,755 (INR 18-77.1 Lakhs).
Top Rated Universities in California
The table below highlights top ranked California colleges and popular courses opted by Indian students in them.
| QS World University Rankings 2026 | Colleges | Course | Fees in USD | Fees in INR | Eligibility | English Language Test | Scholarships | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #3 | Stanford University California | MBA | USD 85,755 | INR 77.1 Lakhs | UG degree | IELTS 7, TOEFL 90 | Stanford University Scholarships | 4% |
| #10 | California Institute of Technology (CALTECH) | MS Computer Science | USD 68,001 | INR 61 Lakhs | 85% in UG degree | IELTS 7.5, TOEFL 100 | Caltech Scholarships | 3% |
| #=17 | University of California Berkley | MS Computer Science | USD 20,046 | INR 18 Lakhs | 75% in UG degree | IELTS 7, TOEFL 90 | UC Berkeley Scholarships | 11.7% |
| #46 | University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) | MS Computer Science | USD 36,297 | INR 32.6 Lakhs | 4-year UG degree with scholarship | IELTS 7, TOEFL 87 | UCLA Scholarships | 9% |
| #66 | University of California San Diego | MS Data Science | USD 24,057 | INR 21.6 Lakhs | 75% in any UG degree, but an engineering or science background is preferred | IELTS 7, TOEFL 85, PTE 65, Duolingo 120 | UC San Diego Scholarships | 25% |
| #=114 | University of California Davis | MS Computer Science | USD 30,691 | INR 27.5 Lakhs | 75% in UG degree and proficiency in Computer science, operating and software areas | IELTS 7, TOEFL 80 | UC Davis Scholarships | 42% |
| #146 | University of Southern California | MS Computer Science | USD 80,594 | INR 72.3 Lakhs | UG degree in computer science or a closely related field | IELTS 6.5, TOEFL 90, PTE 61 | University of Southern California Scholarships | 10% |
| #179 | University of California Santa Barbara | MSc Computer Science | USD 39,526 | INR 35.4 Lakhs | 75% in UG degree | IELTS 7, TOEFL 100, Duolingo 130 | UC Santa Barbara Scholarships | 28% |
| #293 | University of California Irvine | MS Computer Science | USD 34,316 | INR 30.8 Lakhs | 75% in a UG degree related to computing or a UG degree in another field with experience in computing | IELTS 7, TOEFL 80 | UC Irvine Scholarships | 38.7% |
| #=440 | University of California Riverside | MS Computer Engineering | USD 36,000 | INR 32.3 Lakhs | 75% in a UG degree | IELTS 7, TOEFL 80 | UC Riverside Scholarships | 70% |
| #458 | University of California Santa Cruz | MS Computer Science and Engineering | USD 83,898 | INR 75.3 Lakhs | 75% in a UG degree related to computing or programming | IELTS 7, TOEFL 89 | UC Santa Cruz Scholarships | 61% |
Also Check: How to Apply to US Universities (A Guide to Indian Students)
Document Required for Admission to California State Universities
Indian students need to submit the following documents to get admission to the best universities in California.
- Transcripts of UG degree and other qualifications
- 3 Letter of Recommendations (College or Workplace)
- Resume (stating educational qualifications, professional experience and extracurricular activities)
- English Language Tests scorecard (IELTS / TOEFL)
- SOP (stating why you are interested in taking admission to the university)
Also Check: How to write an SOP
Cost of Living in California
The table below mentions the cost of living in California for an Indian student.
| Expenses | In USD per month | In INR per month |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | USD 426-3,200 | INR 38,000-2.8 Lakhs |
| Food | USD 344-429 | INR 31,000-38,500 |
| Bus Pass | USD 63-100 | INR 5,600-9,000 |
| Utilities | USD 170-550 | INR 15,000-49,400 |
| Leisure and Sports | USD 15-60 | INR 1,300-5,400 |
| Total | USD 1,018-4,339 | INR 91,500-3.9 Lakhs |
Also Check: Accommodation in California
Tips to Manage the Budget in California
To reduce the Life expenses in California, a student can follow some tips as stated below.
- Buy groceries in bulk and cook at home
- Use a Metro Pass or a bus pass for travelling
- Buy used products through Facebook groups
- Check for the free stuff calendar (Free candies and pizza on Halloween, Free colours and food on Holi)
- Earn while studying
- Walk to campus
- Book flight tickets in advance and use credit cards to avail discounts on them
Also Check: Scholarships for Indians in USA
US Study Visa Requirements
The necessary documents required for an Indian student to apply for a US Study Visa are mentioned below.
- Valid Indian Passport
- Academic Certificates (10th, 12th and UG certificates)
- Proof of Financial Support (Scholarship Letter, Financial aid, Bank statement)
- English Language proficiency test scores (IELTS / TOEFL)
- Proof of return to India after completion of the degree (Home title, Rent agreement)
- Passport-sized photographs
Also Check: US Study Visa Requirements
California is a well-known state in the USA, with many universities ranked globally, like Stanford University California, and Caltech California, making it a hub for education. Acceptance rate in the top ranked California colleges is low (3-42%), making it highly competitive, hence, if students want to ensure their admission, they should apply to more than one university.
FAQs
Ques. Is Rent in California less than in New York City?
Ans. Rent in California (USD 420-3,200 / INR 38,000-2.8 Lakhs) is low compared to that of New York City (USD 2,000-5,900 / INR 1.7-5.3 Lakhs).
Ques. What are THE World University Rankings 2026 of California State Universities?
Ans. The THE World University Rankings 2026 for California State Universities are mentioned below in the table.
| Universities | Stanford University | CALTECH | UC Berkeley | UCLA | UC San Diego |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE World University Rankings 2026 | #=5 | #7 | #9 | #18 | #47 |
Ques. For how much time is a US Study Visa valid?
Ans. A US study Visa is valid for 60 months (5 years), and is generally tied to your duration of course in the USA.
Ques. What is the speciality of California City?
Ans. California is well known for its tech companies like Google, Apple and others. It is also called Silicon Valley due to the concentration of tech companies and a lot of job opportunities.
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