I live LA for 11 years start from my hight school. My mom always says that if my sister and me stay in Taiwan for education she can buy another 2 house in Taipei. however, we are citizen and don't have to pay expensive turtion, we study in public schools and college.
Now, you know how much your parents have to spend on you for studing in LA...
Also, LA is not a good place for study,, East coast is better. At least, you speak English more than Chinese..