California, for example, has three distinct systems of higher education, each with a different mission: the University of California system with nine campuses, the California State University system with 23 campuses, and the Community College (two-year) system with 106 campuses.

The University of California system awards bachelors, masters, professional (law and medicine) and doctoral degrees, and is oriented toward research. The California State system offers bachelors and masters degrees, and its primary mission is undergraduate education and teacher training. The community colleges award two-year associate degrees, with a focus on job training and preparation for four-year institutions.

An important element of state university systems is their generally low cost. Because state universities are supported by tax money, the citizens of the state are charged a comparatively low tuition to attend public universities in their own state. However, if they choose to attend a university in another state, they are charged "non-resident" tuition, which is substantially higher and is based on the actual cost of their education. The same applies to citizens of other countries who are not US residents.

However, even with these higher out-of-state costs, state university tuition in general is still very competitive and offers excellent value. On the negative side, state universities may not have as many scholarships available for non-residents, or be able to waive non-resident tuition.

State university campuses offer a wide-range of support services to international students, including housing options, dining facilities, recreational facilities, clubs and organizations, health centers and international student centers. However, the range of services available will vary with the size and location of each campus.

As a result of the high quality of the education offered and their reasonable cost, state universities are a popular choice for students seeking their higher education degrees. Although international students pay more than state residents to attend, state universities are an attractive option for economical higher education in the US Whether you are selecting a university by region, subjects offered, or cost, you will find a state university campus that meets your needs and interest.