Best Public Colleges in California 2025

Badge for BEST IN CALIFORNIA PUBLIC COLLEGES

Public colleges and universities account for almost 75 percent of all undergraduate students in the U.S. The best public colleges in California provide broad access to reputable degree programs, affordable tuition, and sprawling educational communities.

Key Takeaways

  • Institutions like the University of California system consistently rank among the nation’s best, providing rigorous academic programs and renowned faculty.
  • The universities in our ranking boast diverse student bodies and vibrant campus cultures, fostering inclusive communities that enrich the educational experience.
  • With substantial funding and state-of-the-art facilities, students at the best public colleges in California have access to extensive research opportunities across various disciplines, enhancing their academic and professional development.

2025 Ranking Update

Our Influence Ranking Engine™ leverages machine learning to track the real-world influence of colleges and universities over time. Below you’ll see which schools gained or lost ground for the 2025 school year.

In 2025, the top ten schools in our ranking of the best public colleges in California saw a fair amount of movement. The University of California, Santa Cruz gained one ranking position as the university is implementing several enhancements for the 2025 academic year to enrich the student experience. The Kresge Renewal Project is set to complete its second and final phase by fall 2025, restoring existing buildings and adding more space for housing and residential life.

Additionally, UCSC has released a new strategic plan, “Leading the Change,” which outlines goals and metrics to measure success in five thematic areas, guiding the campus’s work for the coming decade. These developments underscore UCSC’s commitment to providing state-of-the-art resources and a supportive environment for its students.

This list is composed entirely of public colleges and universities that offer bachelor’s degrees. We’ve identified 47 public universities in California. To be included in our list of the best public colleges in California, schools must receive direct funding from the state, be fully accredited, and offer a broad range of bachelor’s degrees.

Best Public Colleges in California

  1. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $14K

    Acceptance

    11%

    Graduation

    94%

    Student body

    48K

    Career Outlook for degree at University of California, Berkeley

    Cost of Degree: $14,850
    Expenses: $30,203
    Starting Salary: $79,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  2. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Acceptance

    9%

    Graduation

    92%

    Student body

    49K

    Career Outlook for degree at University of California, Los Angeles

    Cost of Degree: $13,747
    Expenses: $24,284
    Starting Salary: $73,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  3. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $15K

    Acceptance

    26%

    Graduation

    86%

    Student body

    28K

    Career Outlook for degree at University of California, Santa Barbara

    Cost of Degree: $14,965
    Expenses: $25,622
    Starting Salary: $62,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  4. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $14K

    Acceptance

    47%

    Graduation

    77%

    Student body

    21K

    Career Outlook for degree at University of California, Santa Cruz

    Cost of Degree: $14,560
    Expenses: $25,746
    Starting Salary: $53,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  5. Tuition + fees

    $15K

    Acceptance

    37%

    Graduation

    86%

    Student body

    43K

    Career Outlook for degree at University of California, Davis

    Cost of Degree: $15,247
    Expenses: $25,808
    Starting Salary: $68,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  6. Tuition + fees

    $14K

    Acceptance

    69%

    Graduation

    76%

    Student body

    29K

    Career Outlook for degree at University of California, Riverside

    Cost of Degree: $14,170
    Expenses: $26,115
    Starting Salary: $55,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  7. #9

    San Francisco State University

    San Francisco , CA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Acceptance

    94%

    Graduation

    55%

    Student body

    30K

    Career Outlook for degree at San Francisco State University

    Cost of Degree: $7,424
    Expenses: $23,032
    Starting Salary: $54,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  8. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Acceptance

    39%

    Graduation

    78%

    Student body

    39K

    Career Outlook for degree at San Diego State University

    Cost of Degree: $8,290
    Expenses: $25,782
    Starting Salary: $55,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 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
  9. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Acceptance

    91%

    Graduation

    56%

    Student body

    43K

    Career Outlook for degree at California State University, Northridge

    Cost of Degree: $7,095
    Expenses: $17,176
    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
  10. Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Acceptance

    87%

    Graduation

    51%

    Student body

    30K

    Career Outlook for degree at California State University, Los Angeles

    Cost of Degree: $6,818
    Expenses: $26,527
    Starting Salary: $49,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  11. Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Acceptance

    95%

    Graduation

    56%

    Student body

    27K

    Career Outlook for degree at California State University, Fresno

    Cost of Degree: $6,980
    Expenses: $16,770
    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
  12. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Acceptance

    67%

    Graduation

    69%

    Student body

    46K

    Career Outlook for degree at California State University, Fullerton

    Cost of Degree: $7,073
    Expenses: $23,567
    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
  13. Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Acceptance

    93%

    Graduation

    54%

    Student body

    37K

    Career Outlook for degree at California State University, Sacramento

    Cost of Degree: $7,602
    Expenses: $21,816
    Starting Salary: $54,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    California State University, Sacramento’s Online Degrees

    BS in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 48
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Child Development
    • Required Credits: 50
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: None Reported
    BA in Arts & Letters
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: None Reported
    BS in Career and Technical Studies
    • Required Credits: 48
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    AD to BNS in AD to BNS
    • Required Credits: 33
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  14. Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Acceptance

    55%

    Graduation

    66%

    Student body

    31K

    Career Outlook for degree at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

    Cost of Degree: $7,439
    Expenses: $21,366
    Starting Salary: $58,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is California State Polytechnic University, Pomona known for?

    California State Polytechnic University, Pomona’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  15. Tuition + fees

    $14K

    Acceptance

    89%

    Graduation

    67%

    Student body

    10K

    What is University of California, Merced known for?

    University of California, Merced’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  16. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Acceptance

    95%

    Graduation

    64%

    Student body

    17K

    Career Outlook for degree at California State University, Chico

    Cost of Degree: $8,064
    Expenses: $19,966
    Starting Salary: $55,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    California State University, Chico’s Online Degrees

    BA in Liberal Studies
    • Required Credits: 17 courses
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Religious Studies
    • Required Credits: 34
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Social Science
    Degree Concentrations
    • Multidisciplinary Studies Option
    • Specialization Studies Option
    • Required Credits: 36-42
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Social Work
    • Required Credits: 70
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: None Reported
  17. #21

    Sonoma State University

    Rohnert Park , CA

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Acceptance

    94%

    Graduation

    60%

    Student body

    8K

    Career Outlook for degree at Sonoma State University

    Cost of Degree: $8,190
    Expenses: $19,084
    Starting Salary: $53,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  18. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Acceptance

    96%

    Graduation

    46%

    Student body

    17K

    Career Outlook for degree at California State University, East Bay

    Cost of Degree: $7,055
    Expenses: $21,461
    Starting Salary: $58,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    California State University, East Bay’s Online Degrees

    BS in Business Administration
    Degree Concentrations
    • Accounting
    • Finance
    • General Management
    • Human Resources Management and Organizational Behavior
    • Information Technology Management
    • Operations and Supply Chain Management
    • Required Credits: 75
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Hospitality and Tourism
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Ethnic Studies
    Degree Concentrations
    • Comparative Ethnic Studies Concentration
    • Genders and Sexualities in Communities of Color Concentration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Human Development
    Degree Concentrations
    • Adult Development and Gerontology Concentration
    • Early Childhood Development Concentration
    • Women’s Development Concentration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  19. #23

    Santa Monica College

    Santa Monica , CA

    Tuition + fees

    $1K

    Graduation

    32%

    Student body

    34K

    Career Outlook for degree at Santa Monica College

    Cost of Degree: $1,156
    Starting Salary: $40,200
  20. Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Acceptance

    89%

    Graduation

    46%

    Student body

    20K

    Career Outlook for degree at California State University, Dominguez Hills

    Cost of Degree: $7,064
    Expenses: $21,706
    Starting Salary: $48,500
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    California State University, Dominguez Hills’s Online Degrees

    BS in Applied Studies
    Degree Concentrations
    • Public Sector Management
    • Strategic Communications
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    RN to BSN in RN to BSN
    • Required Credits: 50-53
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Quality Assurance
    Degree Concentrations
    • Measurement Science
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
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California’s Best Public College in Your Area of Interest

2021 Ranking Archive

Many of our 2024 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2023. That’s because we took a fundamentally different approach. For 2024 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. University of California, Berkeley
  2. University of California, Los Angeles
  3. University of California, San Diego
  4. University of California, Santa Barbara
  5. University of California, Santa Cruz
  6. University of California, Davis
  7. University of California, Irvine
  8. University of California, Riverside
  9. University of California, Merced
  10. San Francisco State University
  11. San Diego State University
  12. San Jose State University
  13. California State University, Los Angeles
  14. California State University, Northridge
  15. California State University, Long Beach
  16. California State University, Monterey Bay
  17. California State University, Fullerton
  18. California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
  19. California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt
  20. Sonoma State University
  21. California State University Maritime Academy
  22. California State University, East Bay
  23. California State University, Sacramento
  24. California State University, Fresno
  25. California State University, Chico
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