Best Colleges in California 2024

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Here are the best colleges and universities in California. Our list will help you find the right kind of school for you.

10 Best Colleges in California

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  1. Stanford University
  2. University of California, Berkeley
  3. University of California, Los Angeles
  4. University of Southern California
  5. California Institute of Technology
  6. University of California, San Diego
  7. University of California, Santa Barbara
  8. University of California, Irvine
  9. University of California, Davis
  10. University of California, Santa Cruz
  1. University of California, Berkeley
  2. Stanford University
  3. University of California, Los Angeles
  4. California Institute of Technology
  5. University of Southern California
  6. University of California, San Diego
  7. University of California, Santa Barbara
  8. University of California, Irvine
  9. University of California, Santa Cruz
  10. University of California, Davis
  1. California State University, Fresno 97%
  2. San Francisco State University 93%
  3. California State University, Los Angeles 91%
  4. California State University, Northridge 88%
  5. San Jose State University 84%
  6. University of the Pacific 79%
  7. University of San Francisco 71%
  8. University of California, Riverside 65%
  9. Chapman University 60%
  10. University of California, Santa Cruz 59%
  1. California State University, Northridge 28 to 1
  2. San Diego State University 27 to 1
  3. California State University, Fullerton 27 to 1
  4. University of California, Santa Cruz 25 to 1
  5. California State University, Los Angeles 25 to 1
  6. San Jose State University 25 to 1
  7. California State University, Long Beach 24 to 1
  8. California State University, Fresno 23 to 1
  9. University of California, Riverside 22 to 1
  10. San Francisco State University 22 to 1
  1. University of Southern California $61,503
  2. Harvey Mudd College $60,703
  3. Pepperdine University $59,702
  4. California Institute of Technology $58,680
  5. Chapman University $58,634
  6. Occidental College $58,426
  7. Claremont McKenna College $58,111
  8. Pomona College $56,686
  9. Stanford University $56,169
  10. Santa Clara University $55,860
  1. Claremont McKenna College $64,288
  2. University of Southern California $60,446
  3. Occidental College $57,830
  4. California Institute of Technology $56,364
  5. Stanford University $54,315
  6. University of the Pacific $50,128
  7. Chapman University $37,538
  8. Pepperdine University $37,300
  9. University of San Diego $27,936
  10. University of San Francisco $27,180
  1. California State University, Fresno
  2. Occidental College
  3. Loyola Marymount University
  4. California State University, Long Beach
  5. University of the Pacific
  6. University of San Diego
  7. California State University, Los Angeles
  8. California State University, Fullerton
  9. California State University, Northridge
  10. Claremont McKenna College
  1. University of San Diego
  2. California State University, Fresno
  3. Claremont McKenna College
  4. California State University, Long Beach
  5. Harvey Mudd College
  6. California State University, Fullerton
  7. Loyola Marymount University
  8. California State University, Los Angeles
  9. University of the Pacific
  10. California State University, Northridge
  1. Stanford University 4%
  2. California Institute of Technology 4%
  3. Pomona College 7%
  4. Harvey Mudd College 10%
  5. Claremont McKenna College 11%
  6. University of California, Los Angeles 11%
  7. University of Southern California 13%
  8. University of California, Berkeley 14%
  9. University of California, Santa Barbara 29%
  10. University of California, Irvine 29%
  1. California Institute of Technology 3 to 1
  2. Stanford University 4 to 1
  3. Pomona College 6 to 1
  4. Occidental College 8 to 1
  5. Claremont McKenna College 8 to 1
  6. Harvey Mudd College 8 to 1
  7. University of Southern California 9 to 1
  8. Loyola Marymount University 10 to 1
  9. Santa Clara University 11 to 1
  10. University of San Francisco 12 to 1
  1. California State University, Fresno $5,742
  2. San Diego State University $5,742
  3. California State University, Fullerton $5,742
  4. California State University, Long Beach $5,742
  5. San Francisco State University $5,742
  6. California State University, Los Angeles $5,742
  7. San Jose State University $5,742
  8. California State University, Northridge $5,742
  9. University of California, Riverside $11,442
  10. University of California, Los Angeles $11,442
  1. California State University, Fresno $7,176
  2. San Diego State University $7,176
  3. California State University, Fullerton $7,176
  4. California State University, Long Beach $7,176
  5. San Francisco State University $7,176
  6. California State University, Los Angeles $7,176
  7. San Jose State University $7,176
  8. California State University, Northridge $7,176
  9. University of California, Riverside $11,442
  10. University of California, Los Angeles $11,442

Colleges and Universities in California

California’s higher education institutes span across the entire state, allowing students to study by the beach, in the forest, in small towns, and in large cities. There are over 30 high quality online programs that would allow you to earn a degree from literally anywhere in California, or the world.

The state’s largest university is the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). UCLA serves nearly 44,000 students and offers a tuition rate around $13,000. This isn’t the only school with a large student body though. California is home to 23 colleges and universities with student populations of over 20,000 students.

Find college admissions consultants in your state.

However, more than half of the state’s schools serve smaller student populations, offering plenty of options for students who crave a more intimate campus experience. Additionally, California boasts 50 religiously affiliated schools. Many of these schools have high graduation rates. However, tuition costs can range greatly, from $8,000 at Bethesda University up to $54,000 at Pepperdine University.

Additionally, many of California’s colleges and universities boast influential faculty and alumni, including Neil Armstrong, Jerry Lewis, and Weird Al Yankovic. In addition to famous alumni and professors, California’s schools are also home to some of the country’s top degree programs, including nursing, business, religious studies, education, literature, and law. Many of these schools offer online courses and complete online programs in these same disciplines.

Though Hollywood has given us an inside look into California’s most popular landmarks and attractions, these one-of-a-kind places aren’t the only reason people flock to The Golden State. With hundreds of colleges and universities, as well as community and junior colleges, to choose from, students have countless opportunities to further their education in California.

Many of these opportunities are also accessible through online courses and online colleges. A growing number of online programs in California have received accreditation from the Western Association of Schools, which means online students have a higher level of quality assurance than ever before. It’s also worth noting that students who live in California can still get an in-state discount on their associate degree or bachelor’s degree even when completing online courses or online programs.

To learn more about earning your degree in California, check out some of the state’s top programs and career paths.


What are California’s Colleges & Universities?

California’s Best Overall

Related: Differences between research universities and teaching colleges

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We’ve identified 113 colleges and universities in California that meet our criteria. This list of the top 30 colleges in California below focuses on schools that offer bachelor’s degrees. The ranking features fully accredited public and private colleges and universities in California.

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Best Colleges in California 2023

  1. #1

    Stanford University

    Stanford , CA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $56K

    Acceptance

    4%

    Graduation

    96%

    Student body

    19K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1495/33

    Career Outlook for degree at Stanford University

    Cost of Degree: $58,416
    Expenses: $23,746
    Starting Salary: $141,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  2. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $14K

    Acceptance

    14%

    Graduation

    93%

    Student body

    46K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1420/32

    Career Outlook for degree at University of California, Berkeley

    Cost of Degree: $14,395
    Expenses: $28,648
    Starting Salary: $79,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  3. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Acceptance

    11%

    Graduation

    92%

    Student body

    47K

    Career Outlook for degree at University of California, Los Angeles

    Cost of Degree: $13,401
    Expenses: $23,579
    Starting Salary: $73,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  4. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $62K

    Acceptance

    13%

    Graduation

    92%

    Student body

    52K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1435/32

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Southern California

    Cost of Degree: $64,726
    Expenses: $20,338
    Starting Salary: $88,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  5. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $59K

    Acceptance

    4%

    Graduation

    93%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1555/35

    Career Outlook for degree at California Institute of Technology

    Cost of Degree: $60,864
    Expenses: $22,734
    Starting Salary: $106,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  6. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $14K

    Acceptance

    29%

    Graduation

    85%

    Student body

    28K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1345/31

    Career Outlook for degree at University of California, Santa Barbara

    Cost of Degree: $14,617
    Expenses: $23,285
    Starting Salary: $62,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  7. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $15K

    Acceptance

    49%

    Graduation

    87%

    Student body

    42K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1280/29

    Career Outlook for degree at University of California, Davis

    Cost of Degree: $14,858
    Expenses: $23,698
    Starting Salary: $68,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  8. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $14K

    Acceptance

    59%

    Graduation

    78%

    Student body

    21K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1260/29

    Career Outlook for degree at University of California, Santa Cruz

    Cost of Degree: $14,240
    Expenses: $24,472
    Starting Salary: $53,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  9. Tuition + fees

    $14K

    Acceptance

    65%

    Graduation

    76%

    Student body

    29K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1180/26

    Career Outlook for degree at University of California, Riverside

    Cost of Degree: $13,874
    Expenses: $23,352
    Starting Salary: $55,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  10. #12

    Santa Clara University

    Santa Clara , CA

    Tuition + fees

    $56K

    Acceptance

    54%

    Graduation

    91%

    Student body

    9K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1360/30

    Career Outlook for degree at Santa Clara University

    Cost of Degree: $57,534
    Expenses: $21,315
    Starting Salary: $85,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  11. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Acceptance

    38%

    Graduation

    76%

    Student body

    39K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1195/25

    Career Outlook for degree at San Diego State University

    Cost of Degree: $8,174
    Expenses: $23,936
    Starting Salary: $55,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    San Diego State University’s Online Degrees

    BS in Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 49-55
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 51-60
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  12. #14

    San Francisco State University

    San Francisco , CA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Acceptance

    93%

    Graduation

    54%

    Student body

    31K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1030/19

    Career Outlook for degree at San Francisco State University

    Cost of Degree: $7,524
    Expenses: $21,601
    Starting Salary: $54,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  13. #16

    University of San Francisco

    San Francisco , CA

    Tuition + fees

    $53K

    Acceptance

    71%

    Graduation

    76%

    Student body

    12K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1235/27

    Career Outlook for degree at University of San Francisco

    Cost of Degree: $55,532
    Expenses: $22,322
    Starting Salary: $74,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  14. #18

    Pomona College

    Claremont , CA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $57K

    Acceptance

    7%

    Graduation

    93%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for degree at Pomona College

    Cost of Degree: $59,238
    Expenses: $21,958
    Starting Salary: $77,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  15. #19

    Chapman University

    Orange , CA

    Tuition + fees

    $59K

    Acceptance

    60%

    Graduation

    80%

    Student body

    10K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1260/27

    Career Outlook for degree at Chapman University

    Cost of Degree: $60,672
    Expenses: $21,874
    Starting Salary: $56,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 20 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  16. #21

    Claremont McKenna College

    Claremont , CA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $58K

    Acceptance

    11%

    Graduation

    93%

    Student body

    1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1415/32

    Career Outlook for degree at Claremont McKenna College

    Cost of Degree: $60,715
    Expenses: $21,412
    Starting Salary: $93,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  17. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Acceptance

    88%

    Graduation

    54%

    Student body

    43K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1005/19

    Career Outlook for degree at California State University, Northridge

    Cost of Degree: $7,069
    Expenses: $16,638
    Starting Salary: $49,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    California State University, Northridge’s Online Degrees

    BA in Liberal Studies
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Public Sector Management
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  18. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Acceptance

    59%

    Graduation

    71%

    Student body

    47K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1090/20

    Career Outlook for degree at California State University, Fullerton

    Cost of Degree: $7,007
    Expenses: $20,824
    Starting Salary: $51,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    California State University, Fullerton’s Online Degrees

    BA in Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 54
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Humanities and Social Sciences
    • Required Credits: 51
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Sociology
    • Required Credits: 51
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  19. Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Acceptance

    91%

    Graduation

    52%

    Student body

    29K

    Median SAT/ACT

    965/17

    Career Outlook for degree at California State University, Los Angeles

    Cost of Degree: $6,805
    Expenses: $23,884
    Starting Salary: $49,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  20. #25

    University of San Diego

    San Diego , CA

    Tuition + fees

    $53K

    Acceptance

    53%

    Graduation

    80%

    Student body

    10K

    Career Outlook for degree at University of San Diego

    Cost of Degree: $54,554
    Expenses: $21,213
    Starting Salary: $71,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  21. Tuition + fees

    $52K

    Acceptance

    79%

    Graduation

    69%

    Student body

    7K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1210/26

    Career Outlook for degree at University of the Pacific

    Cost of Degree: $53,682
    Expenses: $18,623
    Starting Salary: $84,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  22. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Acceptance

    47%

    Graduation

    75%

    Student body

    43K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1130/23

    Career Outlook for degree at California State University, Long Beach

    Cost of Degree: $6,884
    Expenses: $19,298
    Starting Salary: $53,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  23. #28

    Loyola Marymount University

    Los Angeles , CA

    Tuition + fees

    $54K

    Acceptance

    46%

    Graduation

    79%

    Student body

    11K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1300/29

    Career Outlook for degree at Loyola Marymount University

    Cost of Degree: $55,441
    Expenses: $20,301
    Starting Salary: $71,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  24. #29

    Occidental College

    Los Angeles , CA

    Tuition + fees

    $58K

    Acceptance

    38%

    Graduation

    83%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1365/30

    Career Outlook for degree at Occidental College

    Cost of Degree: $60,566
    Expenses: $20,070
    Starting Salary: $59,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  25. Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Acceptance

    97%

    Graduation

    57%

    Student body

    27K

    Median SAT/ACT

    995/18

    Career Outlook for degree at California State University, Fresno

    Cost of Degree: $6,663
    Expenses: $16,226
    Starting Salary: $48,500
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    California State University, Fresno’s Online Degrees

    BBA in Accelerated Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 61
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Criminology
    Degree Concentrations
    • Law Enforcement
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Liberal Arts
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
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California’s Best Colleges in Your Area of Interest

2021 Ranking Archive

Many of our 2022 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2021. That’s because we took a fundamentally different apporach. For 2021 we utilized our Concentrated Influence algorithm, designed to take away the size advantage larger schools have when we rank their faculty and alumni’s academic influence. Concentrated influence highlights smaller schools that are proportionally as successful as larger universities at cultivating influential alumni and faculty.

  1. California Institute of Technology
  2. Stanford University
  3. University of California, Berkeley
  4. Pomona College
  5. Harvey Mudd College
  6. Claremont McKenna College
  7. University of Southern California
  8. University of California, Los Angeles
  9. Occidental College
  10. Pitzer College
  11. University of California, San Diego
  12. Pepperdine University
  13. Scripps College
  14. University of California, Santa Barbara
  15. University of California, Santa Cruz
  16. Santa Clara University
  17. University of California, Davis
  18. Golden Gate University
  19. Mills College at Northeastern University
  20. University of California, Irvine
  21. University of California, Riverside
  22. Loyola Marymount University
  23. Whittier College
  24. University of California, Merced
  25. University of Redlands
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