Woodbury University, founded in 1884 in Burbank, California, is a private teaching university ranked #43 in Regional Universities West by US News 2026. The 22.4-acre campus sits in Los Angeles County, ten minutes from Hollywood and the entertainment industry it feeds.
Woodbury runs 20 undergraduate and 6 graduate programs across three schools: Business, Architecture, and Media, Culture and Design. All coursework is English-medium. The MS universities in USA hosts a student body where 22% are international, drawn from over 40 countries, and the 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio anchors the small-cohort teaching model Indian applicants respond to.
- US News Ranking: #43 Regional Universities West (2026)
- Acceptance Rate: 66% (estimated)
- Intakes: Fall (August) and Spring (January)
- UG Tuition: USD 48,336 per year (INR 45.7 lakh)
- MBA Median Starting Salary: USD 60,200 (INR 56.9 lakh)
- Signature Scholarship: Presidential Merit up to USD 24,000 (INR 22.7 lakh)
Also Check: MS Universities in USA
Woodbury charges the same tuition for domestic and international students. Merit awards are automatic on admission and cut sticker fees by 25% to 50% for strong applicants. Post-degree, F-1 graduates qualify for 12-month OPT, with a 24-month STEM extension for the Applied Computer Science pathway. Living costs in Burbank sit below downtown Los Angeles, which trims the cost of living in USA for international students.
Exchange rate used: 1 USD = INR 94.5 as of September 2026
Admission Status: Open (Spring 2027 intake). Spring 2027 applications are open on a rolling basis, with the priority deadline set at 1 November 2026. Fall 2027 applications are also open, priority deadline 1 March 2027. Woodbury processes decisions within 3 to 4 weeks of a completed application.
Table of Contents
- Popular Courses and Fees at Woodbury 2027
- Woodbury University Admission 2027
- Woodbury University Admission Requirements for Indian Applicants 2027
- Woodbury University Acceptance Rate 2027
- Woodbury Fees and Cost of Living for Indian Students 2027
- Woodbury University Campus, Facilities and Student Life
- Woodbury University Scholarships 2027
- Woodbury University Rankings 2027
- Woodbury University Placements and Career Outcomes 2027
- Woodbury University vs Peer Universities
- Woodbury University FAQs
Popular Courses and Fees at Woodbury 2027
Woodbury University charges tuition per credit unit for graduate programmes and a flat semester rate for full-time undergraduates in the 2026-2027 academic year. Fees below reflect the official Woodbury cost-of-attendance schedule; totals assume standard programme length.
Woodbury PG Programmes (2026-2027)
Graduate programmes range from a 36-unit MBA to a 90-unit Master of Architecture. MBA runs the lowest per-unit rate at USD 991; design and architecture masters sit at USD 1,574 per unit.
| Program | Total Fee (USD) | Total Fee (INR lakh) | Entry Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Business Administration (MBA) | 35,676 | 33.7 lakh | Bachelor’s with 55% or CGPA 5.5/10 (recommended) |
| MS Architecture | 56,664 | 53.5 lakh | B.Arch or related bachelor’s with 60% (recommended) |
| MS Architecture in Real Estate Development | 56,664 | 53.5 lakh | Bachelor’s with 55% (recommended) |
| Master of Architecture (MArch) | 141,660 | 133.9 lakh | Bachelor’s with 55% (recommended) |
| Master of Interior Design | 94,440 | 89.2 lakh | Bachelor’s with 55% (recommended) |
| MA Leadership | 56,664 | 53.5 lakh | Bachelor’s with 55% (recommended) |
Woodbury UG Programmes (2026-2027)
Full-time undergraduate tuition is USD 24,168 per semester, USD 48,336 per year, held identical across majors. Four-year totals assume standard credit load without overload units.
| Program | Total Fee (USD) | Total Fee (INR lakh) | Entry Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Architecture | 193,344 | 182.7 lakh | Class 12 with 70% to 85% (recommended) |
| BBA Accounting | 193,344 | 182.7 lakh | Class 12 with 65% (recommended) |
| BS Applied Computer Science | 193,344 | 182.7 lakh | Class 12 with 70% (recommended) |
| Bachelor Animation | 193,344 | 182.7 lakh | Class 12 with 65% plus portfolio (recommended) |
| Bachelor Filmmaking | 193,344 | 182.7 lakh | Class 12 with 65% plus portfolio (recommended) |
[Source: Woodbury University Cost of Attendance 2026-2027]
Insider note: Indian applicants concentrate in the MBA, BS Applied Computer Science (STEM-designated for the 24-month OPT extension), and the Master of Architecture, where Los Angeles studio placements after graduation are strongest.
Read More: Woodbury University Fees and Cost of Living Guide
Woodbury University Admission 2027
Woodbury runs two annual intakes for international applicants: Fall (August) and Spring (January), both on rolling admissions after the priority date.
| Milestone | Date | Notes for Indian Applicants |
|---|---|---|
| Spring 2027 priority deadline | 1 November 2026 | Rolling after priority; submit early for I-20 processing |
| Fall 2027 priority deadline | 1 March 2027 | Preferred intake for Indian applicants; wider course choice |
| Credential verification (WES/ECE) | Start 8 weeks before deadline | Course-by-course NACES evaluation is mandatory |
| Spring 2027 programme start | January 2027 | Orientation runs in the first week |
| Fall 2027 programme start | August 2027 | Standard Fall entry for most Indian applicants |
Planning note: Woodbury issues decisions inside 3 to 4 weeks of a complete file. Indian applicants who submit before priority hold the best odds of scholarship consideration and F-1 visa slot booking at the Mumbai or Delhi consulate.
Read More: Woodbury University Admissions Guide for Indian Students
Woodbury University Admission Requirements for Indian Applicants 2027
Woodbury University admission requirements for Indian students centre on academic transcripts, an English test, and a financial statement covering one academic year.
PG Requirements
- Academic: Bachelor’s degree with 55% or CGPA 5.5/10 (recommended); MArch requires design portfolio
- English test: TOEFL iBT 61, IELTS 6.0, PTE Academic 50, Duolingo 90, or ITEP 3.7
- Credential verification: Course-by-course NACES evaluation (WES or ECE)
- Documents: Statement of Purpose, two Letters of Recommendation, passport copy, Affidavit of Support
UG Requirements
- Academic: Class 12 with GPA equivalent of 2.5/4.0 or roughly 65% (recommended); test-optional for SAT/ACT
- English test: TOEFL iBT 61, IELTS 6.0, Duolingo 90, PTE Academic 50
- Financial proof: Bank statement on letterhead, dated within 6 months, covering one academic year of costs
Key insight: Woodbury waives the English test for applicants who complete a US regionally accredited English composition course with C or better. Indian applicants who studied Class 12 in an English-medium CBSE or ICSE school should still submit a test, since the waiver is not automatic.
Woodbury University Acceptance Rate 2027
Woodbury University acceptance rate sits at 66% (estimated) for the most recent admission cycle. Third-party data trackers report a higher 81.7% (estimated) band, which reflects the rolling admissions model. The university does not publish an official cycle rate.
The high admit rate means Woodbury is a moderately selective option for Indian applicants who meet the baseline GPA, English test, and financial requirements. Portfolio-based majors, such as animation and filmmaking, screen applications more strictly.
Reality check: A 66% admit rate does not lower the F-1 visa bar. Indian applicants must still show a bank balance covering the full first year (roughly USD 71,000 or INR 67.1 lakh with living costs) and clear the consular interview.
Read More: Woodbury University Acceptance Rate
Woodbury Fees and Cost of Living for Indian Students 2027
An Indian student attending Woodbury should budget USD 68,000 to USD 75,000 (INR 64.3 lakh to 70.9 lakh) per year for tuition plus living in Burbank. Burbank rents run below central Los Angeles but sit above the US national average.
Woodbury Tuition Fees for Indian Students 2026-2027
Tuition is identical for domestic and international students. Merit scholarships apply automatically at admission and reduce the sticker fee.
| Programme Level | Annual Tuition (USD) | Annual Tuition (INR lakh) |
|---|---|---|
| UG (full-time, 12-18 units) | 48,336 | 45.7 lakh |
| PG MBA (12 units/year) | 11,892 | 11.2 lakh |
| PG MArch, MS, MID (24 units/year) | 37,776 | 35.7 lakh |
[Source: Woodbury University Cost of Attendance 2026-2027]
Monthly Cost of Living in Burbank for Indian Students
Burbank costs are estimated from published international student guidance for the Los Angeles metro area.
| Expense | Monthly (USD) | Monthly (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (shared, off-campus) | 1,200 (estimated) | INR 1,13,400 (estimated) |
| Food and groceries | 450 (estimated) | INR 42,525 (estimated) |
| Transportation | 150 (estimated) | INR 14,175 (estimated) |
| Books and supplies | 100 (estimated) | INR 9,450 (estimated) |
| Personal and utilities | 250 (estimated) | INR 23,625 (estimated) |
| Total monthly | 2,150 (estimated) | INR 2,03,175 (estimated) |
| Annual (9 months academic) | 19,350 (estimated) | INR 18.3 lakh (estimated) |
[Source: US Department of State J-1/F-1 living cost guidance for the Los Angeles metro]
Insider note: Sharing a two-bedroom apartment in North Hollywood or Toluca Lake, one bus stop from campus, cuts rent to USD 800 (INR 75,600) per month. Woodbury does not guarantee campus housing for graduate students.
Read More: Cost of Living in USA for Indian Students
Woodbury University Campus, Facilities and Student Life
The main Woodbury campus covers 22.4 acres in Burbank, a Los Angeles suburb ten minutes from Hollywood studios. A San Diego branch campus and a Hollywood gallery extend the footprint.
- Location and transport: Burbank is served by Metro bus routes 94, 96 and 155, plus the Burbank Airport station on Metrolink
- Housing: Residence halls at USD 8,000 to USD 10,000 (INR 7.6 to 9.5 lakh) per academic year; campus housing is not guaranteed for graduate students
- Signature facility: Ahmanson Main Space and the WUHO Gallery in Hollywood, active exhibition venues for architecture and design students
- Indian community: International students make up 22% of enrolment across more than 40 countries, with an active South Asian Student Association
What Indian students say: Class sizes stay small at an 8:1 student-faculty ratio, so faculty know applicants by name. Studio culture in architecture and animation runs late nights during project weeks, and Los Angeles internship access is a common reason for choosing Woodbury over larger US universities.
Woodbury University Scholarships 2027
Woodbury awards merit scholarships automatically at admission, with no separate application. International undergraduate applicants are eligible for the Presidential Merit Scholarship band; graduate applicants apply through programme-specific waivers.
| Scholarship | Type | Award Value | Eligibility | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Presidential Merit Scholarship | UG merit | Up to USD 24,000 (INR 22.7 lakh) | GPA 3.70 or above; automatic on admission | Same as admission priority date |
| Woodbury Merit Grant | UG merit | USD 12,000 to 18,000 (INR 11.3 to 17.0 lakh) | GPA 3.0 to 3.69; automatic on admission | Same as admission priority date |
| Woodbury Grants | Need-based | Varies | Financial need documented in admission file | Verify at official page |
[Source: Woodbury University Admissions]
Insider note: Federal financial aid is not available to Indian applicants on F-1 status. Merit awards from Woodbury and on-campus jobs (up to 20 hours per week) are the two main ways to cut sticker cost.
Read More: Woodbury University Scholarships Guide
Woodbury University Rankings 2027
Woodbury University holds strong regional and value rankings from US News. The university does not appear in the QS or THE global tables, which cover research-intensive institutions.
| Ranking Body | Latest Edition | Previous Edition | Two Editions Back |
|---|---|---|---|
| US News Regional Universities West | 2026: #43 | 2025: #50 | 2024: verify at US News |
| US News Best Value Schools | 2026: #22 | 2025: verify at US News | 2024: verify at US News |
| US News Social Mobility | 2026: #6 | 2025: verify at US News | 2024: verify at US News |
| QS World University Rankings | Not ranked in QS 2027 | Not ranked in QS 2026 | Not ranked in QS 2025 |
| Times Higher Education World | Not ranked in THE 2026 | Not ranked in THE 2025 | Not ranked in THE 2024 |
[Source: US News Best Colleges 2026, QS, THE]
Niche places Woodbury #48 of 157 for Best Colleges for Architecture, a signal that matters for Indian applicants targeting the MArch or B.Arch pathways.
Key insight: Woodbury’s regional US News rank is recognised for F-1 visa credibility and for US employer hiring in Los Angeles. Indian applicants should not compare it directly to QS World ranks, since the ranking bodies measure different institution types.
Read More: Woodbury University Rankings Analysis
Woodbury University Placements and Career Outcomes 2027
Woodbury reports strong employment outcomes for graduates, with median earnings lifting steadily through the first decade of a career.
- Employment within 3 years: 86.9% of alumni
- Bachelor’s median starting salary: USD 47,400 (INR 44.8 lakh) for Business; USD 46,300 (INR 43.8 lakh) for Architecture
- MBA median starting salary: USD 60,200 (INR 56.9 lakh)
- 10-year median earnings: USD 50,500 (INR 47.7 lakh)
- Recruiter sectors: Los Angeles architecture studios, entertainment media houses, retail and fashion brands, regional accounting and consulting firms
- Post-study work: 12-month OPT for all F-1 graduates; 24-month STEM extension for Applied Computer Science
Insider note: Indian graduates in architecture and animation cite Woodbury’s Hollywood adjacency as the differentiator. Internship access at studios starts in the sophomore year, which shapes hiring pipelines by graduation.
Woodbury University vs Peer Universities
Peers below cover other US regional universities where Indian applicants weigh architecture, design, and business options alongside Woodbury.
| University | US News Rank 2026 | Avg Annual PG Fee (USD) | Avg Annual PG Fee (INR lakh) | Differentiator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Woodbury University | #43 Regional West | 37,776 | 35.7 lakh | Hollywood proximity for design and film |
| Sacred Heart University | #43 Regional North | 32,500 (estimated) | 30.7 lakh (estimated) | East coast business focus |
| University of North Texas | #293 National | 15,000 (estimated) | 14.2 lakh (estimated) | Lower fees, larger cohort |
| Arizona State University | #121 National | 29,000 (estimated) | 27.4 lakh (estimated) | Research-intensive, larger scholarships |
[Source: US News Best Colleges 2026, Collegedunia Study Abroad]
Woodbury stands out for small-cohort teaching (8:1 ratio) and location. Indian applicants trade off higher sticker fees against studio access to Los Angeles firms in architecture, design, and film.
An Indian student invests roughly INR 67 lakh per year to attend Woodbury, against a median MBA starting salary of INR 56.9 lakh. Woodbury fits Indian applicants targeting F-1 pathways in design, architecture, and Los Angeles-linked business roles, where the campus’s Hollywood adjacency and 8:1 teaching model do the work sticker fees alone cannot.
Woodbury is not the fit for applicants chasing global QS top-200 brand recognition or the largest research grants, since it does not sit in world tables. Cost-sensitive Indian applicants after a similar Los Angeles pathway should also weigh California State University Northridge, where lower state-funded fees offset a larger cohort model.
Woodbury University FAQs
Ques. What English tests does Woodbury University accept for Indian applicants?
Ans. Woodbury accepts TOEFL iBT with a minimum of 61, IELTS at 6.0, PTE Academic at 50, Duolingo at 90, and ITEP at 3.7. Scores must fall within two years of the application date. Applicants who complete a US regionally accredited English composition course with C or better may skip the test, though most Indian applicants submit IELTS or TOEFL for I-20 clarity.
Ques. Does Woodbury University charge an application fee for international students?
Ans. Yes, the application fee is USD 75 (INR 7,088) for Fall entry and USD 85 (INR 8,033) for Spring entry, non-refundable. Woodbury runs periodic fee waivers on the Common Application. Indian applicants applying early in the priority window should check for waiver codes distributed to counselors before completing payment.
Ques. Is the BS Applied Computer Science at Woodbury STEM-designated for OPT?
Ans. Yes, BS Applied Computer Science carries a STEM CIP code and qualifies for the 24-month OPT extension on top of the standard 12-month OPT. Indian graduates from this programme can work in the US for up to 36 months after degree completion. Design and business majors qualify for the standard 12-month OPT.
Ques. Can Indian students work part-time while studying at Woodbury?
Ans. F-1 visa holders may work up to 20 hours per week on-campus during the academic year and full-time during breaks. Off-campus work needs CPT or OPT authorisation from the Designated School Official. Woodbury’s on-campus jobs include library, admissions, and studio assistantship roles, all paid at the California minimum wage.
Ques. How much bank balance should Indian applicants show for the F-1 visa?
Ans. Woodbury requires an original bank statement covering one full academic year of tuition and living costs, roughly USD 71,000 (INR 67.1 lakh). The statement must be on institutional letterhead, dated within six months of enrolment, and from a checking, savings, or time deposit account. Sponsors must sign an Affidavit of Support.
Ques. Does Woodbury accept the Common Application from Indian applicants?
Ans. Yes, Woodbury accepts either the Common Application or its own Woodbury Application, and applicants should submit only one. Indian applicants using the Common App can reuse essays and recommenders sent to other US universities. The Woodbury Application takes about 25 minutes to complete for applicants who already hold transcripts and test scores.
Ques. Can Woodbury graduates transfer credits to a doctoral programme later?
Ans. Woodbury’s masters programmes are professional degrees fully accredited by regional and program-specific bodies, so credits transfer to US doctoral programmes on standard terms. Indian graduates targeting a PhD in Architecture or Business Administration commonly move from Woodbury into UC system or Cal State research programmes for the terminal degree.
Ques. Which Indian education loan lenders recognise Woodbury University?
Ans. Woodbury is recognised by major Indian public banks including SBI and Bank of Baroda under their study-abroad loan schemes, and by private NBFC lenders such as HDFC Credila, Avanse, and Auxilo. Loan-eligible amount typically covers full tuition plus living costs, subject to co-borrower income and collateral cover. The Woodbury I-20 letter is standard documentation for loan disbursal.
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Woodbury University Scholarships
| Name | Scholarship Per Student | Level of Study | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TEC Scholarship | Scholarship per student$1,000 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| BeArt Presets-Academic Scholarship | Scholarship per student$2,500 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Chuan Ai Lu Engstrom Memorial Scholarship | Scholarship per student$1,000 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Jagdish Bhagwati Fellowship | Scholarship per studentVariable Amount | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeCollege-Specific | |
| Bharat Petroleum Scholarship | Scholarship per studentVariable Amount | Level Of StudyMaster | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Comindware Scholarship | Scholarship per student$4,000 | Level Of StudyApprenticeship | TypeMerit-Based |
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Woodbury University Admissions
Application Portal: https://app.applyyourself.com/AYApplicantLogin/ApplicantConnectLogin.asp?id=wbu-u
Early Action Deadlines
Important Date: November1 (Application deadline)Important Date: April1 (Application results)Regular Decision Deadlines
Important Date: January15 (Application deadline)Important Date: April1 (Application results)
Attendance Cost
The table shows average yearly cost of attendance for international students. Amount may vary with the course opted, nature of accommodation, and personal spending habits of a candidate.Check Program wise Fees
Woodbury University Accreditations
Faculty
| Total Faculty | Full Time | Part Time | Graduate Assistants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3233 | 1086 | 2147 | - |


















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