Study in Los Angeles, the #4 student city in the USA (QS Best Student Cities 2025), at Arizona State University’s California Center.
Located in downtown LA, the ASU California Center is the ideal destination to earn a degree in film, fashion, or media. With state-of-the-art facilities, award-winning faculty, and industry connections with globally recognized companies, it’s the perfect place to launch your creative career. On top of that, you’ll be living in one of the world’s most iconic cities!
Interested in earning a degree here? Find out why it’s an amazing location for international students below. Or, if you’re ready to apply now, just fill out our application form.
Superb academic programs and cutting-edge facilities
At the ASU California Center, you’ll find first-class degree programs from the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts at top schools such as:
- ASU FIDM (Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising) (bachelor’s and associate degrees)
- The Sidney Poitier New American Film School (bachelor’s and master’s degrees)
You can also earn a valuable graduate degree at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication — a prestigious school consistently ranked #1 in the US by the Broadcast Education Association. Its MS in Digital Audience Strategy, for example, is a fantastic way to develop into a digital marketing leader and make an impact in a range of professional sectors.
Studying in Los Angeles, you’ll also learn from industry professionals who are well-known in their field and put professional best-practice at the heart of your curriculum. This on-the-ground expertise is combined with access to industry-grade Hollywood technology and equipment, such as design studios and editing labs, providing hands-on experience that prepares you for real-world success.
With such first-class experiential learning and access to elite technology, the ASU California Center is an unparalleled environment for creative studies. You’ll be at a university consistently ranked #1 in the USA for innovation (U.S. News & World Report 2016–2025), right in the heart of the world’s largest entertainment hub, making it a truly special place to earn your degree!
Largest fashion library
on the US West Coast at ASU FIDM
First film school
to offer students the video technology used in “The Mandalorian”
30-minute drive to LAX
airport for easy flight connections domestically and worldwide
Career-launching industry connections
While you’re enrolled at the ASU California Center, you’ll benefit from ASU’s partnerships with leading production companies, film studios, media houses, and fashion houses. These incredible connections with the Los Angeles creative community mean you can benefit from internships, projects and coursework in collaboration with industry, giving you a competitive edge.
As the home of Hollywood, alongside various top fashion brands and media outlets, there’s no better place to connect with employers in your chosen field. You’ll have such a wide range of networking opportunities with top professionals through partner projects, guest speakers, industry events, and fashion shows!
With these direct ties to a global hub for creative and cultural industries, coupled with programs designed to be industry-relevant, it’s the perfect place to form relationships that propel you towards a thriving career!
Live in an iconic destination
Known as “The City of Angels”, Los Angeles is a city like no other. As the heart of the world’s entertainment industry — a place where stars are born — it has a unique energy and feel. You’ll be immersed in a lively, bustling city environment, surrounded by famous landmarks and a melting pot of cultures, joining over 140,000 international students who choose sunny California as their home in the USA each year!
There are 200+ languages spoken in LA, making it a truly international city. As an ASU California Center student, you’ll be based near Koreatown, Chinatown and Little Tokyo, giving you access to an incredibly diverse food scene and a wide range of communities. Undergraduates live in a state-of-the-art, extremely safe luxury resort-style apartment, with 24/7 security, secure door entry, and free ride shares, so you can have complete peace of mind during your studies.
Studying in LA, you can always find something to do. There are thrilling concerts and shows all-year round at some iconic venues, such as the Hollywood Bowl or The Roxy. You also have over 750+ museums to choose from, including the popular Getty Museum. If concerts or museums aren’t for you, there’s also plenty of exciting live sport to watch, including the LA Olympics in 2028. You could participate in this amazing global event while earning your degree at the ASU California Center!
Apply to the ASU California Center with Kaplan
Kaplan provides dedicated international student support with your application to bachelor’s and master’s degree programs at the ASU California Center, as well as international student pre-arrival support, often in your own language.
We are here to guide you through the admission process, helping you with your academic transcripts and personal statement, getting an official English score if you need one, and advising you on how to apply for a visa.
If you have any questions about studying at the ASU California Center, please get in touch with one of our advisors.
