Understanding UCLA Tuition Costs for International Students
The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is a prestigious institution renowned for academic excellence, groundbreaking research, and a vibrant student life. As a top-ranked global university, UCLA attracts students from all over the world. For international students aspiring to study at UCLA, understanding the tuition costs and associated expenses is crucial for financial planning. This article provides a comprehensive overview of UCLA tuition costs for international students, covering various aspects such as the Cost of Attendance (COA), tuition fees for different programs, housing options, and available financial aid.
What is the Cost of Attendance?
The total Cost Of Attendance (COA) at UCLA includes tuition, fees, housing costs, food, books, and transit. It represents the estimated total expenses for an academic year. Your choice of HOUSING OPTION affects you COA. It is used to determine the maximum amount of financial aid given. For example, living in the residence halls will cost more than living at home. This means your choice of housing affects the total sticker price of attending of UCLA. IF YOUR HOUSING PLANS CHANGE, please inform the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office, so your aid can be recalculated.
Components of COA
- Tuition and Fees: This includes the University Fees (UC Systemwide Tuition) and Campus fees.
- Housing: Costs vary depending on whether you choose on-campus, off-campus, or commuter/remote learner options.
- Food: Expenses for meals, which can vary based on your dining choices.
- Books and Supplies: Costs for textbooks, course materials, and equipment.
- Transportation: Expenses for commuting to and from campus.
- Personal Expenses: Miscellaneous costs for personal items and activities.
- Health Insurance: Mandatory unless you have your own insurance coverage.
Tuition and Fees for Undergraduate Students
The following tables outline the estimated costs for undergraduate students based on their year of entry and housing plans.
New Students Starting in the 2025-26 Academic Year
| Expense | On-Campus | Off-Campus | Commuter/Remote Learner |
|---|---|---|---|
| University Fees | $15,700 | $15,700 | $15,700 |
| Food & Housing | $18,960 | $19,888 | $8,968 |
| Books, Course Materials, Supplies, Equipment | $1,680 | $1,680 | $1,680 |
| Transportation | $857 | $1,646 | $2,998 |
| Personal | $2,361 | $2,481 | $2,686 |
| Health Insurance | $3,579 | $3,579 | $3,579 |
| Estimated CA Resident Total Costs | $43,137 | $44,974 | $35,611 |
| Nonresident Supplemental Tuition (NRST) | $37,602 | $37,602 | $37,602 |
| Estimated Nonresident Total Costs | $80,739 | $82,576 | $73,213 |
Continuing Students Who Started in the 2024-25 Academic Year
| Expense | On-Campus | Off-Campus | Commuter/Remote Learner |
|---|---|---|---|
| University Fees | $15,202 | $15,202 | $15,202 |
| Food & Housing | $18,960 | $19,888 | $8,968 |
| Books, Course Materials, Supplies, Equipment | $1,680 | $1,680 | $1,680 |
| Transportation | $857 | $1,646 | $2,998 |
| Personal | $2,361 | $2,481 | $2,686 |
| Health Insurance | $3,579 | $3,579 | $3,579 |
| Estimated CA Resident Total Costs | $42,639 | $44,476 | $35,113 |
| Nonresident Supplemental Tuition (NRST) | $34,200 | $34,200 | $34,200 |
| Estimated Nonresident Total Costs | $76,839 | $78,676 | $69,313 |
Continuing Students Who Started in the 2023-24 Academic Year
| Expense | On-Campus | Off-Campus | Commuter/Remote Learner |
|---|---|---|---|
| University Fees | $14,518 | $14,518 | $14,518 |
| Food & Housing | $18,960 | $19,888 | $8,968 |
| Books, Course Materials, Supplies, Equipment | $1,680 | $1,680 | $1,680 |
| Transportation | $857 | $1,646 | $2,998 |
| Personal | $2,361 | $2,481 | $2,686 |
| Health Insurance | $3,579 | $3,579 | $3,579 |
| Estimated CA Resident Total Costs | $41,955 | $43,792 | $34,429 |
| Nonresident Supplemental Tuition (NRST) | $35,574 | $32,574 | $32,574 |
| Estimated Nonresident Total Costs | $77,529 | $76,366 | $67,003 |
Continuing Students Who Started in the 2022-23 Academic Year
| Expense | On-Campus | Off-Campus | Commuter/Remote Learner |
|---|---|---|---|
| University Fees | $13,870 | $13,870 | $13,870 |
| Food & Housing | $18,960 | $19,888 | $8,968 |
| Books, Course Materials, Supplies, Equipment | $1,680 | $1,680 | $1,680 |
| Transportation | $857 | $1,646 | $2,998 |
| Personal | $2,361 | $2,481 | $2,686 |
| Health Insurance | $3,579 | $3,579 | $3,579 |
| Estimated CA Resident Total Costs | $41,307 | $43,144 | $33,781 |
| Nonresident Supplemental Tuition (NRST) | $31,026 | $31,026 | $31,026 |
| Estimated Nonresident Total Costs | $72,333 | $74,170 | $64,807 |
Continuing Students Who Started in the 2021-22 Academic Year or Earlier
| Expense | On-Campus | Off-Campus | Commuter/Remote Learner |
|---|---|---|---|
| University Fees | $13,336 | $13,336 | $13,336 |
| Food & Housing | $18,960 | $19,888 | $8,968 |
| Books, Course Materials, Supplies, Equipment | $1,680 | $1,680 | $1,680 |
| Transportation | $857 | $1,646 | $2,998 |
| Personal | $2,361 | $2,481 | $2,686 |
| Health Insurance | $3,579 | $3,579 | $3,579 |
| Estimated CA Resident Total Costs | $40,773 | $42,610 | $33,247 |
| Nonresident Supplemental Tuition (NRST) | $29,754 | $29,754 | $29,754 |
| Estimated Nonresident Total Costs | $70,527 | $72,364 | $63,001 |
Note: Students with dependents will have $13,034 added to their cost of attendance to cover housing, food, and personal expenses.
Tuition and Fees for Graduate Students
For graduate students, the estimated costs for the 2025-26 academic year are as follows:
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| Expense | All Housing |
|---|---|
| University Fees | $14,889 |
| Food & Housing | $27,396 |
| Books, Course Materials, Supplies, Equipment | $1,908 |
| Transportation | $3,639 |
| Personal | $3,066 |
| Health Insurance | $6,882 |
| Estimated CA Resident Total Costs | $57,780 |
| Nonresident Supplemental Tuition (NRST) | $15,102 |
| Estimated Nonresident Total Costs | $72,882 |
Additional Fees and Considerations
Nonresident Supplemental Tuition (NRST)
International students are required to pay Nonresident Supplemental Tuition (NRST) in addition to the standard tuition and fees.
Health Insurance
All students are required to have health insurance. Students can waive the UCLA-provided health insurance if they have their own coverage.
Students with Dependents
Students with dependents will have an additional amount added to their cost of attendance to cover expenses.
Intercampus Transfers
Tuition/fee costs are based on the year you were admitted to the University of California (UC) system, not the year you transferred to UCLA.
Important Notes
- Figures for tuition and fees may not be final and are subject to change by the Regents of the University of California.
- Final approved tuition and fee levels may be higher or lower than the amounts presented.
- Residence status for tuition purposes is determined by the Registrar's Office.
- Some or all instruction may be ONLINE. Tuition and mandatory fees will NOT BE REFUNDED in the event any instruction occurs remotely.
Program-Specific Tuition Fees
UCLA offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, each with specific tuition fees. Here are some examples:
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Master's Programs (MS)
- Duration: 1-3 years
- Annual Tuition Fees: Approximately $28,000 â $35,000 USD (Equivalent to INR 23 Lakhs â 29 Lakhs or AUD 42,000 â 52,500)
MBA Programs
- Duration: 15-36 months
- Annual Tuition Fees: Approximately $65,000 â $70,000 USD (Equivalent to INR 53 Lakhs â 57 Lakhs or AUD 97,500 â 105,000)
Bachelor's Programs (B.Sc. and B.A.)
- Duration: 4 years
- Annual Tuition Fees: Approximately $45,000 â $50,000 USD (Equivalent to INR 36 Lakhs â 40 Lakhs or AUD 67,500 â 75,000)
International Program Fees at UCLA Extension
International students enrolling in on-campus International Programs on an F-1 student visa are responsible for additional fees:
- International Program Fee:
- First quarter: $3,850
- Each subsequent quarter: $2,850
This fee supports various services, including:
- UCLA Bruincard (student ID card)
- Library card
- UCLA Recreation membership
- Culturally-rich international student activities
- Immersive international student orientation
- Receptions, networking activities, and graduation celebration for certificate students
- Comprehensive immigration advising on F-1 status maintenance
- CPT and OPT application support (when eligible)
- Access to the UCLA Bruin Promise (alumni services) for Certificate Program graduates
Payment Schedule for International Program Fees
- First Quarter:
- Program Deposit: $500 (non-refundable, due within 2 weeks of admission)
- Program Fee Balance: $3,350 (due at least 30 days before the quarter start date)
- Subsequent Quarters:
- $2,850 (due at least 30 days before each quarter start date)
Failure to pay the fee before the stated deadline will result in the automatic cancellation of admission to the program and of Form I-20.
Refunds for International Program Fees
- The $500 program deposit is non-refundable.
- Refunds for the balance of the International Program Fee are based on the following schedule:
| Days Prior to Program Start Date | Percentage of Program Fee to be Refunded |
|---|---|
| 60+ | 100% |
| 59 - 45 | 75% |
| 44 - 30 | 50% |
| 29 - 15 | 25% |
| 14 or less | 0% |
Fees incurred to process a refund will be deducted from the amount refunded.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
UCLA offers a wide range of scholarships to support students in funding their education. Nearly 70% of UCLA students receive some form of financial aid. Many scholarships are renewable and cover tuition, housing, and even additional educational expenses.
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Housing Options and Costs
UCLA provides various housing options, including on-campus dorms and off-campus apartments. On-campus housing places students at the heart of university life, just a short walk from classrooms, libraries, and sports facilities. Living on campus fosters a strong sense of community, with various residence options available. To meet increasing demand, UCLA Housing announced a transition of most on-campus dorm rooms to triple occupancy.
Off-campus housing, managed by UCLA, offers furnished apartments within walking distance of campus and Westwood Village. These units provide more independence while still being part of the university community. Utilities, basic cable TV, and high-speed internet are included in the housing contract.
Typical Housing Costs gives you an idea of housing prices near UCLA.
Residence Status
The Financial Aid and Scholarships office does NOT determine RESIDENCE STATUS. The UCLA Campus Residence Deputy decides your Residence Status for Tuition purposes. At the time of admission, the tuition and fees reflected on your aid letter will be based on the preliminary information from your admission application. Residence status for tuition purposes is determined by the Registrar's Office. If your residence status changes, once you complete your Statement of Intent to Register, your financial aid will be revised.
Key Considerations for International Students
- English Language Proficiency: International students must demonstrate English language proficiency through tests like IELTS, TOEFL, or Duolingo.
- Visa Requirements: After receiving the I-20 form, you must apply for an F-1 student visa to obtain authorization to enter the country.
- Health Insurance: International students are required to have health insurance for the duration of their studies.
- Financial Planning: It is essential to plan for all costs, including tuition, fees, housing, food, and personal expenses.
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