International Undergraduate Admissions
Choosing among the universities for foreign students in the United States is a big decision, and it should come down to more than a list of requirements. At CBU, international students graduate into real outcomes: International students who graduated from CBU in May 2024 and were approved for Optional Practical Training, a federal program that allows international students to legally work in the United States post-graduation, had a 100% job placement rate. The top starting salary was $137,000.
If you’re comparing colleges for foreign students and looking for a university in the United States that combines a personal, small-class experience with genuine career outcomes, here’s everything you need to know to apply.
Why International Students Choose to Study in the USA at CBU
Real, documented career outcomes. For students investing in a U.S. degree, a 100% OPT job placement rate is a reassurance that your undergraduate degree will work for you and your future.
No application fee. Applying to CBU as an international undergraduate student costs nothing upfront.
A Lasallian university with small classes. Among colleges in America for international students, CBU stands out for its size: small class sizes mean direct access to faculty and academic advisors, not lecture halls of hundreds.
Located in Memphis, Tennessee. Among colleges in Tennessee, CBU sits in a major logistics, healthcare technology, and manufacturing hub, home to FedEx, AutoZone, International Paper, and a healthcare corridor anchored by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, giving international students real regional career connections during and after their degree.
Dedicated international admissions support. CBU’s International Undergraduate Admissions counselors are available to help you navigate every step of the process, from your application to your I-20.
To Apply
International Undergraduate Admissions Requirements
- Application Fee: Waived
- Application Deadline: Deadline for Spring: December 31; Deadline for Fall: July 31; no summer starts available.
- Required Documents for International Undergraduate Admissions:
- Official Transcripts
- All previous secondary schools – Minimum GPA – 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
- All previous universities if Undergraduate Transfer – Minimum 2.3 GPA (on a 4.0 scale)
- Some transcripts will require evaluation through The Transcript Evaluation Company (formerly known as SpanTran) or IEE.
- TOEFL 68/4.0), IELTS (6.0), PTE Academic & Express (50), Duolingo (100) required for all countries with these exceptions: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman Islands, Dominica, England, Falkland Islands, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guam, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Liberia, Malta, Mauritius, Montserrat, New Zealand, Nigeria, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Uganda, The United Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales), Zambia, Zimbabwe.
- ACT/SAT is optional for First Time Freshman Students with 3.0+ GPA
- Minimum Scores: SAT – 990; ACT – 19
- CBU Affidavit of Sponsorship (less than 4 months old; if sponsor is funding education)
- Copy of Passport
- Bank Statement with minimum $28,000, less than 6 months old
- SEVIS Information: CBU will provide this via email directly to the student.
- Official Transcripts
I-20 Requirement
The I-20 is a multi-purpose document issued by a U.S. government-approved educational institution. It certifies that a student has been admitted to a full-time study program and has demonstrated sufficient financial resources to stay in the United States. We understand navigating this process can be overwhelming, so our International Undergraduate Admissions counselors are here to help you every step of the way.
- I-20 will be issued upon acceptance to the University.
- Please allow two weeks for I-20 to be issued.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes CBU one of the best universities in the US for international students?
CBU’s May 2024 international graduates who completed Optional Practical Training (OPT) had a 100% job placement rate, with a top starting salary of $137,000. Combined with a waived application fee, small class sizes, and dedicated international admissions counselors, CBU offers international students both a personal academic experience and documented career outcomes.
Is there an application fee for international students at CBU?
No. CBU waives the application fee for international undergraduate applicants.
What GPA do I need to apply to CBU as an international student?
A minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) is required for all previous secondary schools. International transfer students need a minimum GPA of 2.3 (on a 4.0 scale) from all previous universities attended.
Do I need to submit the TOEFL or IELTS to study at CBU?
Most international applicants need to submit TOEFL (68), IELTS (6.0), PTE Academic & Express (50), or Duolingo (100) scores. Students from a list of exempted countries, including Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and several others, are not required to submit English proficiency test scores. See the full list of exempted countries above.
Is the SAT or ACT required for international students?
No. The SAT and ACT are optional for first-time freshman students with a 3.0 or higher GPA. Minimum scores, if submitted, are 990 for the SAT and 19 for the ACT.
How much money do I need to show to study in the USA at CBU?
International applicants must submit a bank statement showing a minimum of $28,000, dated less than 6 months before submission, along with a CBU Affidavit of Sponsorship if a sponsor is funding their education.
What is an I-20, and when will I receive mine?
The I-20 is a document issued by CBU certifying your admission to a full-time study program and your demonstrated financial resources, required to obtain an F-1 student visa. CBU issues the I-20 upon acceptance to the University, and applicants should allow two weeks for it to be issued.
Why study in the USA at a university in Tennessee?
Memphis, Tennessee is a major logistics, healthcare technology, and manufacturing hub, home to companies like FedEx and AutoZone and healthcare institutions like St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. International students at CBU benefit from these regional career connections alongside a small, personal Catholic Lasallian university experience.
Who can I contact with questions about international admissions at CBU?
CBU’s International Undergraduate Admissions office is located in Buckman Hall, Room 127. Reach out at ugintl@cbu.edu or (901) 321-3251.
Questions? Contact us.
Buckman Hall, Room 127 • ugintl@cbu.edu • (901) 321-3251
