Public Universities in California State, USA: Top Institutes, Tuition Fees, & More
The public universities in California are composed of 3 university systems- California State University System (CSU), University of California System (UC), and Community Colleges of California. These systems have their own institutions that operate independently within them and offer quality, affordable higher education to international students.
California is the USA’s epicenter for the entertainment, information, education, and technology industries. In this blog, we have discussed public universities in California, including their tuition fees, popular courses, distinctions between different systems, and more.
- University of California System (UC System)
- Top Reasons to Study at the University of California System Institutes
- List of Public Universities in California Under the UC System
- Popular Courses at Public Universities in California Under the UC System
- California State University System (CSU System)
- Top Reasons to Study at the CSU System
- List of Public Universities in California Under the CSU System
- Popular Courses at Public Universities in California Under the CSU System
- What to Choose: UC or CSU System?
- Key Takeaways by AdmitX
- FAQs
University of California System (UC System)
- The University of California System (UC System) is a public research university system headquartered in the state of California.
- The UC system consists of 10 campuses of the University of California that are located at Berkeley, Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, Merced, Riverside, San Diego, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz.
- It also comprises 10 medical centres and 3 national laboratories.
- The University of California network was founded in 1869 with nearly 10 faculty members and 40 students.Â
- Today, it includes over 280,000+ students, 2,27,000 faculty members, and more than 2 million alumni worldwide.
Top Reasons to Study at the University of California System Institutes
The University of California System is a widely recognised network of public universities in the USA. Below, we have included the top reasons to study at the University of California system.Â
- The University of California System provides high-quality education and research-oriented programs to international students.
- They offer research-oriented courses in the fields of STEM, business management, humanities, psychology, natural sciences, etc.
- It has a distinguished faculty composed of renowned researchers, industry leaders, and subject matter experts.
- The coursework is focused on solving real-world problems in the areas of climate change, environmental sciences, artificial intelligence, space technology, etc.
List of Public Universities in California Under the UC System
- Below, we have tabulated a list of public universities in California under the UC system, along with their average annual tuition fees for 2025 and location.
- The average tuition fee at the University of California system is around USD 37,000-60,000 or INR 31 Lakhs-51 Lakhs per year, depending on the campus and course.Â
| University of California Campuses | Average Tuition Fees 2025 (Per Year) | Location |
|---|---|---|
| UC Berkeley | USD 37,670-54,835 | Berkeley |
| UC Davis | USD 37,602-52,536 | Davis |
| UC Irvine | USD 47,346 | Irvine |
| UCLA | USD 49,354 | Los Angeles |
| UC Merced | USD 27,864-53,656 | Merced |
| UC Riverside | USD 38,824-48,636 | Riverside |
| UC San Diego | USD 53,874 | La Jolla |
| UC San Francisco | USD 62,832 | San Francisco |
| UC Santa Barbara | USD 44,145 | Santa Barabara |
| UC Santa Cruz | USD 50,328 | Santa Cruz |
Popular Courses at Public Universities in California Under the UC System
Some of the popular study programs at the University of California System are tabulated below.
| University of California Campuses | Popular Study Program |
|---|---|
| UC Berkeley | Natural Sciences Electrical Engineering Business Management Political Sciences |
| UC Davis | Agriculture Environmental Sciences Veterinary Sciences Genetics |
| UC Irvine | Computer Sciences Business Management Psychology Nursing |
| UCLA | Biomedical Sciences Computer Sciences Film & Television Social Sciences |
| UC Merced | Environmental Engineering Neurosciences Artificial Intelligence Community Health |
| UC Riverside | Life Sciences Engineering Biological Sciences Creative Writing |
| UC San Diego | Life Sciences Oceanography Data Sciences Bioengineering |
| UC San Francisco | Pharmacy Engineering Natural Sciences Psychology |
| UC Santa Barbara | Engineering Environmental Sciences Physics Social Sciences |
| UC Santa Cruz | Marine Biology Oceanography Environmental Studies Molecular Biology |
California State University System (CSU System)
- The California State University System is one of the oldest university systems in the USA.Â
- It was established in 1960 to provide affordable educational programs to the local community of California.Â
- Along with this, CSU schools play a crucial role in boosting the local economy by developing the workforce and creating jobs.Â
- It includes over 4,35,000 students and 50,000 faculty members across the 23 schools.Â
- The CSU schools offer 2,700 undergraduate and postgraduate courses across several disciplines.
Top Reasons to Study at the CSU System
Below, we have mentioned some of the top reasons to enroll at CSU schools for international students.
- The California State University system has a strong emphasis on offering vocational and technical courses such as industrial technology and packaging, culinology, viticulture, etc.
- CSU schools maintain strong connections with industries such as Google, Meta, Amazon, and Disney, helping students to find internships and full-time employment opportunities.
- As compared to the University of California system, studying at CSU schools is more affordable for international students, which is around USD 25,000-40,000 or INR 21 Lakhs-34 Lakhs per year.
List of Public Universities in California Under the CSU System
The California State University system comprises 23 schools located in various parts of California. Below, we have provided the list of 23 CSU schools.
- California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB)
- California State University, Channel Islands (CSUCI)
- California State University, Chico (CSUC)
- California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH)
- California State University, East Bay (CSUEB)
- California State University, Fresno (Fresno State)
- California State University, Fullerton (CSUF)
- California State University, Long Beach (CSULB)
- California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA)
- California State University, Maritime Academy (Cal Maritime)
- California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB)
- California State University, Northridge (CSUN)
- California State University, Sacramento (Sac State)
- California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB)
- California State University, San Marcos (CSUSM)
- California State University, Stanislaus (Stan State)
- Humboldt State University (Cal Poly Humboldt)
- San Diego State University (SDSU)
- San Francisco State University (SFSU)
- San José State University (SJSU)
- Sonoma State University (SSU)
- California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly SLO)
- California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona)Â
Popular Courses at Public Universities in California Under the CSU System
Below, we have included a general list of popular courses in CSU schools.
- Agriculture Sciences
- Business Management
- Computer Sciences
- Criminal Justice and Law
- Economics
- Engineering & Technology
- Education
- Industrial Technology
- Metallurgy
- Psychology
- Public Health
What to Choose: UC or CSU System?
With the presence of two key university systems in the state of California, you might be brainstorming to determine which one is the best fit for you. Below, we have provided a tabulated comparison of both university systems to help simplify your decision-making process.
| Feature | UC System | CSU System |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Research Intensive, theoretical learning | Career-focused education |
| Average Tuition Fees Per Year | USD 25,000-40,000 or INR 21 Lakhs-34 Lakhs | USD 37,000-60,000 or INR 31 Lakhs-51 Lakhs |
| Number of Campuses | 10 | 23 |
| Class Size | Small | Larger |
| Target Students | Students aiming for research, academia, or high-end technical roles | Students seeking practical skills and immediate workforce entry |
| Research Opportunities | Extensive, with numerous research grants and projects | Limited, with a focus on applied research |
Key Takeaways by AdmitX
The UC system is ideal for students seeking research-intensive programs, while the CSU system focuses on practical, career-oriented education. UC universities generally have higher tuition fees and lower acceptance rates, whereas CSU schools are more affordable and easier to get into. UC excels in STEM, medicine, and research, while CSU offers strong programs in business, agriculture, and education.
UC campuses often provide smaller class sizes, while CSU schools may have larger, lecture-based classes. Additionally, CSU institutions are well-known for their strong industry connections, offering great opportunities for internships and job placements.
FAQs
What is the cost of study in the University of California system?
The average tuition fee at the University of California is around USD 37,000-60,000 or INR 31 Lakhs-51 Lakhs per year, depending on the campus and course.Â
What is the cost of study at the California State University system?
The cost of study at the CSU system is around USD 25,000-40,000 or INR 21 Lakhs-34 Lakhs per year, depending on the course, institute, and course level.
What are the popular courses at the UC System?
The popular courses at the UC system are agriculture, natural sciences, engineering and technology, business management, veterinary science, marine biology, environmental studies, etc.
What are the best public universities in California?
The best public universities in California are UC Berkeley, UC Davis, UCLA, UC San Diego, California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB), California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA), etc.
How many public universities are there in California?
There are 30 public universities in California, which come under the university systems of University of California and State University of California..
