The California State University (CSU) offers more than 1,800 degree programs in some 240 subject areas. Many subject areas at the undergraduate level are available to exchange students. Thelinks below provide information about the CSU, the CSU Systemwide Student Exchange Program and our 23 campuses.
Nominated students apply to the CSU Systemwide Student Exchange Program but list their preferred campus(es) that they wish to attend on their applications in ranking order of preference. Applicants must be prepared to attend any of the campuses listed on their applications since their topchoice(s)may not be available. Some campuses are very competitive so it is important for students to be flexible with both campus choice and subject selection. When selecting a CSU campus, the first step is to identify the campuses that offer thesubjects that will satisfy the student's degree requirements. One way to do this is to go to "Search for CSU Degree"and select “Bachelor’s” for “Degree Level”, enterthe study area of interest under “Area of Study” and select “Face to Face” for “Delivery Format”. Then click on “Search”. More often than not, students will find more than one campusthat will be suitable for their studies. To narrow the list of options, students will want to consider the range of subjects offered by the campus,cost, campus opportunities and other factors. The table below lists campuses by g
Approximate campus cost for one academic year based on estimated costs for 2024-25.Note that the cost index is subject to change and can depend on lifestyle choices.
- $ = Lower cost (under $20,000);
- $$ = Mid-range cost ($20,000-$22,500);
- $$$ = Higher cost (over $23,000).
Availability of on-campus housing.Note that availabilitymay vary each term and can depend on when applicants housing applications and what housing options they choose. The following campuses offer on-campus housing if applicants apply before deadline dates: Chico (for year-long students), Dominguez Hills, Monterey Bay, Sonoma and Stanislaus.
- A = Available;M= Moderately available;L= Limited availability.
| Northern California Campuses | Central California Campuses | Southern California Campuses |
|---|---|---|
| Chico:$, M East Bay:$$, A Humboldt:$$, L Maritime Academy:$$, M Sacramento:$, A San Francisco:$$$, M San José:$$$, M Sonoma:$$, A | Bakersfield: $, A Fresno:$, M Monterey Bay:$, A San Luis Obispo*:$$$, L Stanislaus: $$, A | Channel Islands:$$, A Dominguez Hills:$$$, M Fullerton:$$, L Long Beach:$$, L Los Angeles:$$$, M Northridge:$$, L Pomona:$, M San Bernardino: $$, A San Diego:$$$, L San Marcos:$$$, M |
* The San Luis Obispocampus is the only CSU campuson the quarter system where three quarters are equal to two semesters, or one academic year. All other campuses are on the semester system.
Note that theinformation above serves as a guide and is subject to change.
How Much Does it Cost to Study at the CSU?
Many students assume that studying abroad will cost much more than they can afford. While studying abroad will cost money, students may find that the cost can bewithin their financial reachdepending on which campus they attend. With many campuses to choose from, most students will find they have several campus options that fit within budget. Some campuses are in big cities and others are in smaller, more rural areas. All around the world, the cost of living in a big metropolitan city, such as London, Paris, Los Angeles, San Diegoor San Francisco, is higher than the cost of living in smaller cities. If cost is a deciding factor, then select a campus outside large metropolitan areas that fits within your budget.
Exchange students pay normal tuition fees directly to their home universities and avoid paying costly international fees which are normally incurred by international students who study in the CSU. Some CSU campuses will require exchange students to pay miscellaneous campus-based fees which are not covered by the exchange agreement. Most CSU campuses require alsothat exchange students purchase their health insurance plans. Click on the link below to view a comparative chart on estimated costs (and other requirements)to attend our campuses.
-CSU Campus Costs and Requirements
Housing Options
On-campus housing options are availablebut may be limited at some campuses. Dormitories typically house first-year university students, ages 18-20, and are co-ed, with floors reserved for female students and other floors reserved for male students. It is typical for university students to share a bedroom with another student which saves on costs. In many dorms, thereis a bathroom in the hall with 3 or 4 showers, sinks and toilets, which is shared by 10-12 students. Some campuses have recently built apartment-style housing facilities on campus, but space may be very limited.Many international students decide to live in off-campus apartments near the university. This usually entails arriving a couple of weeks before classes start to allow time to find housing. To access links to campus housing offices, click on this link here:https://csuip.calstate.edu/_customtags/ct_FileRetrieve.cfm?File_ID=82410.
More detailed information about housing will be provided by your host CSU campus prior to your arrival and is available oncampus housing websites.
Off-campus housing options:The availability of off-campus housing options varies at each campus. Generally, there is moderate availability of off-housing options at most campuses.The following campuses havelimited availability where affordable housing close to the campus can be more difficult to find: Channel Islands, Dominguez Hills, Humboldt, Los Angeles, Monterey Bay, San Luis Obispo, and Stanislaus. This information serves as a general guide and can varydepending on several factors including budget, type of housing desired, distance to campusandwhen housing is sought.
