Master of Science [M.S] (International Business)
Field of Study:
$16,704 /Yr
California State University Master of Science in International Business is the International Business option within the on-campus, full-time Master of Science in Business Administration in Los Angeles. The degree requires 33 units and has no fixed duration published. Applicants need a bachelor’s degree in any major and GPA 2.5 on 4.0, approximately 60% to 65% for Indian applicants. For Fall 2027, tuition is unpublished; a four-term 2026-27 planning illustration is US$45,420.16 (INR 43.85 Lakhs), as a prior-cycle reference.
The option develops global business judgement through strategy, marketing, entrepreneurship, research methods and a thesis. Fifteen concentration units let students shape an International Business pathway. It suits applicants targeting management analysis, consulting or further business study. The thesis and unpublished duration require deliberate course planning.
- The International Business concentration is one of several MS Business Administration options, so students can align the thesis with a defined global-market question.
- Graduate advisement, the Career Development Center and the Graduate Resource Center provide programme-linked planning support.
- Students must plan the concentration early because the published roadmap asks them to choose it by the end of the first semester.
Current Admission Status
Applications for the Fall 2027 intake are Not Yet Open. International student deadline: 15 February 2027.
The Fall 2027 application is available for preview from 1 August 2026 and submission begins 1 October 2026. The source publishes the deadline date without a cutoff time, so Indian applicants should verify the portal’s Pacific Time cutoff before final submission.
Also Check: Cal State LA graduate admission process
Cal State LA MS International Business Fees and Living Costs 2027
Fall 2027 tuition is unpublished, so the figures below are clearly labelled 2026-27 prior-cycle references. The current programme requires 33 units, while the published fee schedule lists separate graduate, non-resident and professional-program charges.
The calculated tuition illustration assumes four full-time terms and 33 units because the university publishes no fixed duration. It is a planning scenario rather than a target-cycle bill, so confirm the 2027-28 schedule before accepting an offer.
| Fee component | Cycle and basis | Amount (USD) | INR equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate/Post-Baccalaureate total for a full-time term | Fall 2026 prior-cycle reference | US$4,821.04 | INR 4.65 Lakhs |
| Non-resident tuition | Fall 2026 prior-cycle rate per unit | US$471.00 | INR 45,477 |
| Professional Program Fee for M.S. Business Administration | Fall 2026 prior-cycle rate per unit | US$321.00 | INR 30,994 |
| Cal State Apply application fee | 2026-27 prior-cycle reference | US$70.00 | INR 6,759 |
| Calculated four-term, 33-unit academic charge | Prior-cycle planning illustration | US$45,420.16 | INR 43.85 Lakhs |
All INR conversions in the article use a conversion rate of US$ 1 = INR 96.5537 as of 12 August 2026. Rates fluctuate daily, verify before applying.
Source: Cal State LA Fall 2026 student-fee schedule and the cached 2026-27 application-fee reference.
- The professional-program fee applies to the MS Business Administration programme, so include it separately from non-resident tuition.
- Non-resident tuition is charged in addition to basic tuition and fees for international students on F or J visas.
- The calculated academic charge excludes living costs, insurance, travel and future fee changes, so it should not be treated as a confirmed Fall 2027 total.
Cost of Living in Los Angeles for International Business Students
Cal State LA’s cached college-level estimate is US$31,122 (INR 30.05 Lakhs) per year for living costs. The university provides this as a combined estimate, so the table does not invent separate rent, grocery or transport amounts.
| Expense | Monthly (USD) | Monthly (INR) | Annual (USD) | Annual (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Official combined living-cost estimate, monthly amount calculated from annual figure | US$2,593.50 | INR 2.50 Lakhs | US$31,122.00 | INR 30.05 Lakhs |
| Total official combined estimate | US$2,593.50 | INR 2.50 Lakhs | US$31,122.00 | INR 30.05 Lakhs |
A two-year planning illustration combines the prior-cycle academic charge of US$45,420.16 (INR 43.85 Lakhs) with two years of living costs. The result is US$107,664.16 (INR 1.04 Crore), but the programme duration and target tuition remain unpublished.
Read More: USA study cost planning
Target-cycle fee check
Fall 2027 fees are unpublished after the current programme and fee-page checks. Verify the target fee on the official Cal State LA student-fee page before using the prior-cycle illustration for a funding decision.
ROI reality: The prior-cycle academic illustration reaches INR 43.85 Lakhs before living costs. Secure funding that does not depend on the unpublished 2027-28 schedule remaining unchanged.
Cal State LA MS International Business Admission 2027
Admission is open to bachelor’s degree holders from any major who meet the 2.5 GPA threshold and submit the required materials. The option is evaluated within MS Business Administration, so a business bachelor’s degree is not listed as a prerequisite.
The current course page does not list work experience, Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) scores as required materials. It does require complete documentation, and the college says faculty review begins when the file is complete.
Academic eligibility and programme structure
The academic baseline is a bachelor’s degree and GPA 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. The same standard may be applied to the last 60 semester or 90 quarter units attempted, while the Indian reading below remains approximate.
| Requirement | Official rule | Indian applicant reading |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | Bachelor’s degree; all majors accepted | A business degree is not required by the published programme rule |
| Academic threshold | GPA 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale, or the last 60 semester or 90 quarter units attempted | Approximately 60% to 65%, or cumulative grade point average (CGPA) 6.0 to 6.5 on 10 |
| Recommendations | Two letters of recommendation | Choose referees who can address academic or professional preparation |
| Written materials | Professional résumé and statement of purpose | Connect international-market interests to the selected option and thesis direction |
| Academic records | Unofficial transcripts for application; official sealed transcripts are required through the university process | Arrange transcripts from every relevant institution before the file is reviewed |
| Before MSBA courses | BUS 5000 Foundations of Business Administration, 9 units, with a grade of B or better unless a waiver applies | Ask the programme whether prior business study supports a waiver before building the first-term schedule |
The programme’s academic proposition is a 33-unit MSBA degree with 15 required units, 15 concentration units and a 3-unit thesis. That structure suits applicants who want to investigate a global-business question, but it also makes thesis supervision and course sequencing part of the study decision.
The checked official sources do not publish a programme-specific ranking for the International Business option. Use the thesis structure, concentration content and stated admission evidence as selection inputs rather than substituting an overall university ranking.
English Language Proficiency (ELP) scores
English Language Proficiency (ELP) is the test or waiver evidence Cal State LA requires before an admission decision. The published graduate waiver list covers degrees from countries where English is the main or only language used in schools, and India is not included in that list.
| Test | Graduate minimum | Indian applicant action |
|---|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT, Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based test | Before 21 January 2026: 80 iBT or higher; on or after 21 January 2026: 4.0 iBT or higher | Use the scale printed by the university for your test date and do not self-convert |
| IELTS, International English Language Testing System | Band 6.0 or higher | Send the official score through the testing agency |
| PTE Academic, Pearson Test of English Academic | 53 or higher | Use this route if its format and reporting timeline suit your preparation |
| DET, Duolingo English Test | 105 or higher | Send the electronic report directly through the test account |
- Scores are valid for two years, so Indian applicants should schedule the test close enough to cover the application and document-review period.
- IELTS 6.0, PTE Academic 53 and DET 105 are separate minimum routes, so choose one scale and avoid mixing component expectations from another test.
- No official competitive target above these minimums is published for the International Business option, so strengthen the résumé, statement and recommendations instead of inventing a score target.
Tip for Indian students: The 2.5 GPA floor does not remove the need to explain thesis preparation. Use the statement of purpose to connect prior study with a specific global-business question.
Cal State LA MS International Business Application 2027
Fall 2027 is the next applicant-accessible intake for the International Business option. International submissions open on 1 October 2026, with a final deadline of 15 February 2027. Spring 2027 is closed, and no future Spring 2028 deadline is published in the checked sources.
The application is completed through Cal State Apply and monitored through the university account. The college evaluates complete files and reports an 8 to 12-week process to faculty review. Indian applicants should finish testing and transcript arrangements before submission opens.
Fall 2027 application stages
The programme-specific international deadline is the date that controls this option, while the university also publishes preview, submission and class-start milestones. The source gives the deadline date without a cutoff time, so an exact IST hour cannot be calculated reliably and the portal’s Pacific Time cutoff should be checked.
| Stage | Official date | Indian applicant action |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2027 application preview | 1 August 2026 | Review the programme and prepare the Cal State Apply sections |
| Fall 2027 application submission opens | 1 October 2026 | Submit the application after checking the International Business option |
| International applicant deadline | 15 February 2027; cutoff time not published | Verify the Pacific Time portal cutoff because the university date controls the application |
| Fall 2027 classes begin | 23 August 2027 | Allow time for the I-20, visa appointment and arrival planning after admission |
No separate decision date is published for the International Business option. The college says faculty review can take 8 to 12 weeks after application, but that estimate is not a guaranteed admission-decision date.
How to submit a complete file
A complete file combines the university application with the programme materials listed by the College of Business and Economics. The checklist matters because the college says incomplete applications are not processed and recommendations are based only on complete files.
- Apply through Cal State Apply and select the Master of Science in Business Administration with the International Business option.
- Prepare a professional résumé, statement of purpose, two recommendation letters and unofficial transcripts before the application is submitted.
- Send official English-test scores directly from the testing agency and monitor MyCalStateLA for document requests and status updates.
- Use the statement of purpose to connect your prior preparation with a global-market problem that could support the programme’s thesis structure.
Cal State LA does not defer an admission offer into a later semester. A student who does not register for the applied semester must submit a new Cal State Apply application and pay another application fee. This makes intake choice important for funding, visa timing and thesis planning.
Read More: USA application timeline guide
Application tip: Use the period before 1 October 2026 to secure the ELP score, transcript plan and recommendation letters, then submit a complete file well before 15 February 2027.
Cal State LA MS International Business Scholarships 2027
The target-cycle tuition waiver is the clearest funding route for an international applicant, with a 5 March 2027 deadline for the 2027-28 award year. Other named routes support conferences, thesis expenses or campus work, but their target-cycle amounts and selection outcomes are not guaranteed.
Funding should be treated as a separate application track because the waiver is limited and becomes available for the following fall. The table distinguishes target-cycle support from current published or prior-cycle routes, so an applicant does not subtract an uncertain award from the fee illustration.
| Funding route | Published value or benefit | INR equivalent | Eligibility, cycle and action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate Student Non-Resident Tuition Waiver Program | Pay in-state tuition and fees instead of out-of-state fees | Amount varies with billed tuition | Limited non-resident and international students; 2027-28 deadline is 5 March 2027; submit through the College Associate Dean’s Office |
| Travel Support Program | Up to US$750 reimbursement | Up to INR 72,415 | 2026-27 current published route for matriculated graduate students attending or presenting at domestic conferences; apply once per academic year with proof and faculty recommendation |
| Culminating Project Fund | Reimbursement for approved thesis supplies, equipment and services | Reimbursement level set after approved expenses | Useful for the thesis stage; submit the application and required materials to the Office of Graduate Studies |
| Graduate Assistant and Teaching Associate positions | Departmental instructional or teaching appointments | Pay depends on the specific opening | Openings are listed by departments or on the academic positions page; ask whether an International Business option appointment is available |
The tuition waiver is the only route in the checked sources with a published Fall 2027-28 deadline and a direct non-resident tuition benefit. Travel Support is labelled 2026-27, while the Culminating Project Fund and campus appointments require separate availability checks, so none should be treated as confirmed funding before an award letter.
- Submit the waiver application by 5 March 2027 even though the admission deadline is 15 February 2027, because the two decisions use different tracks.
- Use the Travel Support route only for eligible domestic United States conference costs, not as a reduction of tuition or living expenses.
- Ask about assistantship openings after admission because the published funding page does not provide a programme-specific award amount for this option.
Read More: USA scholarship planning
Funding reality
The 2027-28 waiver deadline is published, but the waiver is limited and does not establish an award for every international applicant. Build the four-term prior-cycle fee illustration without assuming remission, then apply for the waiver as an upside case.
Scholarship reality: The March 5 waiver deadline follows the February 15 admission deadline. Submit the admission file first, then keep a separate checklist for funding documents and the College Associate Dean’s process.
Cal State LA MS International Business Salary 2027
No course-cohort salary or offer-rate report is published for the International Business option. The following figures are external job-market benchmarks, not Cal State LA graduate outcomes. The programme page describes preparation for managers, business analysts, consultants or further business study.
The curriculum supports a range of roles because it combines global marketing, strategic planning, entrepreneurship, research methods and a thesis. That range is useful for fit analysis, but it also means occupational medians cannot predict the salary of an individual graduate.
| Evidence scope | Measure | Published amount (USD) | INR equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| External job-market benchmark | Management analysts, median annual wage, May 2024 | US$101,190 | INR 97.70 Lakhs |
| External job-market benchmark | Market research analysts, median annual wage, May 2024 | US$76,950 | INR 74.30 Lakhs |
| External job-market benchmark | Logisticians, median annual wage, May 2024 | US$80,880 | INR 78.09 Lakhs |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 2024 occupational medians; management analyst wage data. These figures are not programme placement rates.
Take-home pay varies with federal, state, local and benefit deductions, so use the IRS tax withholding estimator before modelling cash flow. The BLS figures describe occupations across employers and experience levels, not entry salaries for this master’s option.
ROI decisions for Indian applicants
The financial case depends on whether the thesis-based curriculum and work window support the applicant’s intended role. Use the verified programme inputs below to test that decision without turning an external median into a repayment promise.
- Cost exposure: A four-term 33-unit prior-cycle illustration is US$45,420.16 (INR 43.85 Lakhs); fund without assuming the 2027-28 tuition.
- Outcome evidence: No course salary or offer rate is published; use the US$76,950 to US$101,190 (INR 74.30 Lakhs to INR 97.70 Lakhs) range for employer research.
- Curriculum fit: The degree allocates 15 units to International Business and 3 units to a thesis; enter with a role target using research or market analysis.
- Work-window risk: Standard OPT lasts 12 months; because STEM status is identified for MS Information Systems, do not assume a 36-month extension for this option.
- India-return decision: US occupational medians do not establish an Indian salary or a visa outcome, so model a return-to-India scenario separately before borrowing against US earnings.
The option is financially easier to justify when an applicant has a defined research-to-role pathway and funding that covers the calculated exposure. It is harder to justify when the plan relies on a course salary report that the university does not publish or on an assumed STEM work extension.
ROI reality: The course offers a thesis-led international business pathway, but no graduate salary evidence is published. Choose it for a specific role and funding plan rather than an assumed payback period.
US Visa for Cal State LA MS International Business Students 2027
International students use the F-1 academic student visa for this on-campus degree. The visa application fee is US$185 (INR 17,862), and the I-901 SEVIS fee is US$350 (INR 33,794). SEVIS means Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, and its payment is separate from tuition. Verify the current application steps on the US Department of State student-visa page.
- Post-study work: Standard OPT, or Optional Practical Training, allows up to 12 months of work after study; a 24-month STEM extension applies only to eligible programmes.
- H-1B transition: H-1B status is lottery-based; the cached threshold reference is US$60,000 (INR 57.93 Lakhs), subject to the higher actual or prevailing wage.
- Dependants and settlement: F-2 dependants face employment restrictions, and EB-2 or EB-3 permanent residence has variable priority dates.
Check Out: USA student visa requirements
Visa reality: Model the course around standard 12-month OPT unless official programme evidence confirms STEM eligibility. An H-1B outcome should not be treated as automatic.
Cal State LA’s International Business option fits applicants who want a 33-unit, thesis-based business degree that links global strategy with research and concentration study. Its main tradeoff is financial and timing uncertainty because Fall 2027 tuition and a fixed duration are unpublished, while course-specific salary outcomes are unavailable. The option is strongest for a student with a defined global-market question, realistic standard-OPT assumptions and funding that does not depend on a waiver. Start by preparing the ELP score and complete application for 1 October 2026, then track the 15 February admission deadline and 5 March waiver deadline separately.
Cal State LA MS International Business FAQs
Ques. Is this a standalone M.S. in International Business?
Ans. The official programme is the International Business option within the Master of Science in Business Administration. It requires 33 units, including required courses, 15 concentration units and a thesis.
Ques. Can an Indian graduate from a non-business major apply?
Ans. Yes, the published programme rule accepts all bachelor’s majors and sets a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. Indian applicants should also plan an accepted ELP score because India is not in the published graduate waiver list.
Ques. What should an Indian applicant budget for Fall 2027?
Ans. Fall 2027 tuition is unpublished. A calculated four-term, 33-unit 2026-27 planning illustration is US$45,420.16 (INR 43.85 Lakhs), before living costs and future fee changes.
Ques. When should I apply and pursue funding?
Ans. Fall 2027 submissions open on 1 October 2026 and the international deadline is 15 February 2027. The target-cycle non-resident tuition waiver has a separate 5 March 2027 deadline, so prepare both files independently.
Ques. Can this option provide the 36-month OPT period?
Ans. The checked sources identify STEM status for MS Information Systems, not this International Business option. Model the course around standard 12-month OPT unless Cal State LA confirms STEM eligibility for your exact programme record.
Tuition Fees
| Year | 1st Year Fees |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fees | $16704 |
Other Expenses
| Head | Avg Cost Per Year |
|---|---|
| Housing & Meals | $19696 |
| Transportation | $2288 |
Previous Year Tuition Fees
| Year | 1st Year Fees |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $16244 |
| 2023 | $16296 |
Important Dates
| Event | Application Date |
|---|---|
| Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake | |
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Scholarship Grants & Financial Aids
| Name | Scholarship Per Student | Level of Study | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QS Connect Master’s Scholarship | Scholarship per student$ 5,000/Yr$5,000 | Level Of StudyMaster | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Go Clean Scholarship | Scholarship per student$ 3,500/Yr$3,500 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Business Administration Scholarships | Scholarship per studentVariable Amount | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Novus Biological Scholarship Program | Scholarship per student$ 1,500/Yr$1,500 | Level Of StudyAssociate | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Washington DC Scholarships | Scholarship per studentVariable Amount | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| TEC Scholarship | Scholarship per student$ 1,000/Yr$1,000 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based |















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