Best Research Universities in California 2024

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Interested in attending a STEM school in California? Our ranking of top research universities for bachelor’s degrees displays schools that will best prepare you for STEM careers.

10 Best Research Universities in California 2024

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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. Azusa Pacific University 94%
  2. University of California, Merced 87%
  3. University of the Pacific 79%
  4. University of La Verne 72%
  5. University of San Francisco 71%
  6. University of California, Riverside 65%
  7. Biola University 61%
  8. Chapman University 60%
  9. University of California, Santa Cruz 59%
  10. Santa Clara University 54%
  1. San Diego State University 27 to 1
  2. University of California, Santa Cruz 25 to 1
  3. University of California, Riverside 22 to 1
  4. University of California, Davis 20 to 1
  5. University of California, Berkeley 19 to 1
  6. University of California, Merced 19 to 1
  7. University of California, San Diego 19 to 1
  8. University of California, Los Angeles 18 to 1
  9. University of California, Irvine 18 to 1
  10. University of California, Santa Barbara 18 to 1
  1. University of Southern California $61,503
  2. Pepperdine University $59,702
  3. California Institute of Technology $58,680
  4. Chapman University $58,634
  5. Stanford University $56,169
  6. Santa Clara University $55,860
  7. Loyola Marymount University $53,526
  8. University of San Francisco $53,472
  9. University of San Diego $52,864
  10. University of the Pacific $52,352
  1. University of Southern California $60,446
  2. California Institute of Technology $56,364
  3. Stanford University $54,315
  4. University of the Pacific $50,128
  5. Chapman University $37,538
  6. Pepperdine University $37,300
  7. University of San Diego $27,936
  8. University of San Francisco $27,180
  9. Santa Clara University $25,170
  10. Loyola Marymount University $19,642
  1. Northcentral University
  2. University of La Verne
  3. Azusa Pacific University
  4. University of California, Merced
  5. Biola University
  6. Loyola Marymount University
  7. University of the Pacific
  8. University of San Diego
  9. Chapman University
  10. Pepperdine University
  1. Northcentral University
  2. University of La Verne
  3. Azusa Pacific University
  4. University of California, Merced
  5. Biola University
  6. University of San Diego
  7. Loyola Marymount University
  8. University of the Pacific
  9. Chapman University
  10. University of San Francisco
  1. Stanford University 4%
  2. California Institute of Technology 4%
  3. University of California, Los Angeles 11%
  4. University of Southern California 13%
  5. University of California, Berkeley 14%
  6. University of California, Santa Barbara 29%
  7. University of California, Irvine 29%
  8. University of California, San Diego 34%
  9. San Diego State University 38%
  10. Loyola Marymount University 46%
  1. California Institute of Technology 3 to 1
  2. Northcentral University 3 to 1
  3. Stanford University 4 to 1
  4. University of Southern California 9 to 1
  5. Azusa Pacific University 10 to 1
  6. Loyola Marymount University 10 to 1
  7. Santa Clara University 11 to 1
  8. University of San Francisco 12 to 1
  9. Chapman University 12 to 1
  10. Pepperdine University 13 to 1
  1. San Diego State University $5,742
  2. Northcentral University $11,064
  3. University of California, Riverside $11,442
  4. University of California, Los Angeles $11,442
  5. University of California, Santa Cruz $11,442
  6. University of California, Berkeley $11,442
  7. University of California, Irvine $11,442
  8. University of California, Santa Barbara $11,442
  9. University of California, Davis $11,442
  10. University of California, Merced $11,442
  1. San Diego State University $7,176
  2. University of California, Riverside $11,442
  3. University of California, Los Angeles $11,442
  4. University of California, Santa Cruz $11,442
  5. University of California, Berkeley $11,442
  6. University of California, Irvine $11,442
  7. University of California, Santa Barbara $11,442
  8. University of California, Davis $11,442
  9. University of California, Merced $11,442
  10. University of California, San Diego $11,442

Key Takeaways

  • A research university allows students to connect with experts in their chosen field. Researchers and professors are often in a good position to help students with networking so they can land internships and possibly job opportunities right after they graduate.
  • Attending a research university provides students access to some of the latest in research. Plus, all classes are handled by recognized researchers who can help students get ahead in their chosen fields of study.
  • As a student at a research university, you have an upper hand for admission into notable graduate schools or career opportunities in competitive positions.

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?

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Related: Differences between research universities and teaching colleges

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California As a Major Hub for Research Universities

Selecting a college could be one of the most challenging decisions you have to make in life. Should you go to a liberal arts college and focus on a general program? Or is a research university a better option? This option allows you to focus on more specific fields of study.

Why You Should Attend a Research University

A research university offers you a lot of exceptional academic and career opportunities. These schools, often supported by the National Science Foundation and similar agencies, focus on facilitating research studies conducted by graduate students, professors, and industry experts. This makes a research university suitable for undergraduate students who plan to pursue higher academics.

Here are some interesting reasons why attending a research university is good for you.

More Connections

You can make connections with well-known and distinguished industry experts. This allows students to be networked with key players in the industry. Many researchers take their students with them to conferences and introduce these students around. This is a helpful way to become established in your field and launch yourself well into your career.

Research universities have improved course selections. Research universities often receive alumni, business, and government funding. This is why most of these universities have relatively bigger facilities with multiple departments.

Those who attend research schools will find it easier to select from unique academic programs and classes that will allow them to fine-tune their preferred majors.

Research universities offering undergraduate programs often award the same benefits to their undergrad students. This allows these students to learn from experts and take advantage of improved educational tools.

While all schools generally differ in the way they are structured, a research university is an ultimate option for highly passionate enrollees. Since these schools have ample resources, research universities can adjust to specialized academic endeavors such as double majors.

High-level Credentials

Research universities have to live up to their role as producers of the latest innovations and technologies, which is why these schools always have widespread prestige. Thus, these schools are usually featured in the news for their projects. Major industry players even partner with research universities to help them with their academic missions.

You have an advantage in admission to professional and graduate schools. Many professional and graduate schools have this belief that students coming from research universities are better trained than those coming from smaller schools. Graduate schools put more faith in letters of recommendation coming from well-known professors at research universities.

More Choices for Majors

Research universities have more fine-grained majors. Research universities have a larger faculty, which means they have a wider range of disciplines offered. This gives students more choices of majors. For instance, the University of California-Berkeley has more than 300 majors and programs.

In a single field, you can find different fine-tuned variations. UC Berkeley’s biological sciences department gives you the option to choose either Biochemistry, Integrative Biology, Genetics, Neurobiology, Immunology, or Cell Biology.

There are also more obscure majors like Epidemiology, Demography, Media Studies, Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual and Transgender Studies, Folklore, and Native American Studies. In small colleges and universities, majors usually range from 25 to 30 only. Needless to say, choices in research universities are good.

Internships

You can secure internships and work with industry experts. It’s been proven that some of the best experiences for college students happen not inside the classroom, but in the interaction they experience with professors outside the classroom, especially in shared research activities.

Through internships and collaborative projects, students will have the chance to become researchers. Sometimes, they can even coauthor published papers or co-present at conferences. Either way, these experiences are a major feather in a students’s cap.

A research university is a great option for students interested in obtaining STEM degrees. Research universities invest heavily in research, which consequently provides meaningful and extensive opportunities for its students and faculty to participate in research. We’ve identified 29 research universities in California. To be included in our ranking, schools must be a fully accredited universities and must must offer doctoral degrees across the range of STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math).

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Best Research Universities 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

    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
  13. #16

    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
  14. #17

    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
  15. 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
  16. #19

    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
  17. #20

    Biola University

    La Mirada , CA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $44K

    Acceptance

    61%

    Graduation

    70%

    Student body

    6K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1180/25

    Career Outlook for degree at Biola University

    Cost of Degree: $44,382
    Expenses: $15,514
    Starting Salary: $50,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Biola University’s Online Degrees

    BS in Business Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Public Relations
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Biblical Ministries
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  18. Tuition + fees

    $14K

    Acceptance

    87%

    Graduation

    72%

    Student body

    9K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1050/21

    What is University of California, Merced known for?

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

  19. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $42K

    Acceptance

    94%

    Graduation

    72%

    Student body

    10K

    Career Outlook for degree at Azusa Pacific University

    Cost of Degree: $42,330
    Expenses: $13,490
    Starting Salary: $55,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Azusa Pacific University’s Online Degrees

    BBA in Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BSN in Bridge to BSN
    • Required Credits: 40
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BSN in RN to BSN
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  20. #23

    University of La Verne

    La Verne , CA

    Tuition + fees

    $46K

    Acceptance

    72%

    Graduation

    69%

    Student body

    8K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1055/20

    Career Outlook for degree at University of La Verne

    Cost of Degree: $47,000
    Expenses: $19,454
    Starting Salary: $52,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of La Verne known for?

    University of La Verne’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

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Find the Best Research Universities in California for 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. University of Southern California
  5. University of California, Los Angeles
  6. University of California, San Diego
  7. Pepperdine University
  8. University of California, Santa Barbara
  9. University of California, Santa Cruz
  10. Santa Clara University
  11. University of California, Davis
  12. University of California, Irvine
  13. University of California, Riverside
  14. Loyola Marymount University
  15. University of California, Merced
  16. University of San Diego
  17. Chapman University
  18. University of San Francisco
  19. Biola University
  20. University of the Pacific
  21. San Diego State University
  22. Azusa Pacific University
  23. California State University, Fresno
  24. University of La Verne

Check out our directory of research universities throughout the U.S. for a look at the top research institutions in every state.

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