Best Small Colleges in California 2025

Badge for BEST IN CALIFORNIA SMALL COLLEGES

Small colleges in California are a great option for students interested in a more intimate campus experience, more personal attention from excellent professors, and more immediate access to support services. Whether the focus is on the technical or on the liberal arts, small colleges give you the chance to pursue a well-rounded education while working closely with classmates and professors in a dynamic community atmosphere.

Key Takeaways

  • California’s strategic location, prestigious colleges, great weather, and diverse culture are very appealing to university students.
  • Attending a small college in California will appeal to students who are looking for a strong sense of community, personalized attention from the faculty and staff members, and excellent access to support services are among its benefits.
  • Earning a degree from one of the top small colleges in the state could lead to a career in the state. California is one of the leading tech centers in the United States.

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 small colleges in California saw a fair amount of movement. Whittier College gained the most ranking positions as the college launched the Whittier Community Engagement Hub, which connects students with local organizations for internships, service-learning projects, and community-based research. The college has also modernized its STEM facilities, including new labs for environmental science and biotechnology, providing students with hands-on research opportunities. Additionally, Whittier has expanded its interdisciplinary programs, blending fields like sustainability, public policy, and digital media to meet the evolving demands of the job market.

The following list of the best small colleges and universities in California is composed mainly of four-year undergraduate schools (though a handful also offer graduate programs). We’ve identified 50 small colleges in California. The list below of the 30 best small colleges in California. To be included schools must fully accredited, and must have student body populations below 5,000 students.

Best Small Colleges in California

  1. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $61K

    Acceptance

    3%

    Graduation

    94%

    Student body

    3K

    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
  2. #2

    Pomona College

    Claremont , CA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $59K

    Acceptance

    7%

    Graduation

    95%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1520/34

    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
  3. #3

    Occidental College

    Los Angeles , CA

    Tuition + fees

    $61K

    Acceptance

    39%

    Graduation

    83%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1440/32

    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
  4. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $61K

    Acceptance

    10%

    Graduation

    91%

    Student body

    1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1495/34

    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
  5. #6

    Whittier College

    Whittier , CA

    Tuition + fees

    $50K

    Acceptance

    75%

    Graduation

    66%

    Student body

    1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1240/27

    Career Outlook for degree at Whittier College

    Cost of Degree: $49,864
    Expenses: $17,623
    Starting Salary: $50,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  6. #8

    University of Redlands

    Redlands , CA

    Tuition + fees

    $56K

    Acceptance

    82%

    Graduation

    67%

    Student body

    5K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1195/27

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Redlands

    Cost of Degree: $55,678
    Expenses: $20,178
    Starting Salary: $57,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  7. #9

    Scripps College

    Claremont , CA

    Tuition + fees

    $61K

    Acceptance

    28%

    Graduation

    84%

    Student body

    1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1450/33

    Career Outlook for degree at Scripps College

    Cost of Degree: $60,712
    Expenses: $22,618
    Starting Salary: $61,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  8. #10

    Golden Gate University

    San Francisco , CA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $11K

    Student body

    4K

    Career Outlook for degree at Golden Gate University

    Cost of Degree: $11,343
    Starting Salary: $82,300
    What is Golden Gate University known for?

    Golden Gate University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Golden Gate University’s Online Degrees

    BS in Accounting
    • Required Credits: 123
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Business
    • Required Credits: 123
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Data Analytics
    • Required Credits: 123
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Management
    • Required Credits: 123
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Organizational Leadership and Human Skills Development
    • Required Credits: 123
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  9. #11

    American Jewish University

    Los Angeles , CA

    Tuition + fees

    $11K

    Graduation

    50%

    Student body

    <1K

    What is American Jewish University known for?

    American Jewish University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  10. Tuition + fees

    $54K

    Acceptance

    88%

    Graduation

    72%

    Student body

    3K

    Career Outlook for degree at Saint Mary's College of California

    Cost of Degree: $53,572
    Expenses: $20,256
    Starting Salary: $63,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  11. #13

    Westmont College

    Santa Barbara , CA

    Tuition + fees

    $50K

    Acceptance

    82%

    Graduation

    74%

    Student body

    1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1369/31

    Career Outlook for degree at Westmont College

    Cost of Degree: $50,066
    Expenses: $18,760
    Starting Salary: $58,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  12. #14

    Pacific Union College

    Angwin , CA

    Tuition + fees

    $34K

    Acceptance

    48%

    Graduation

    47%

    Student body

    1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1095/20

    Career Outlook for degree at Pacific Union College

    Cost of Degree: $33,678
    Expenses: $13,476
    Starting Salary: $61,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  13. Tuition + fees

    $41K

    Acceptance

    82%

    Graduation

    76%

    Student body

    5K

    Career Outlook for degree at Point Loma Nazarene University

    Cost of Degree: $41,100
    Expenses: $16,004
    Starting Salary: $54,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Point Loma Nazarene University known for?

    Point Loma Nazarene University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  14. Tuition + fees

    $49K

    Acceptance

    93%

    Graduation

    79%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1162/24

    Career Outlook for degree at Dominican University of California

    Cost of Degree: $49,426
    Expenses: $19,763
    Starting Salary: $63,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Dominican University of California known for?

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

  15. #18

    La Sierra University

    Riverside , CA

    Tuition + fees

    $35K

    Acceptance

    92%

    Graduation

    54%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for degree at La Sierra University

    Cost of Degree: $34,902
    Expenses: $17,561
    Starting Salary: $54,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is La Sierra University known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

  16. #19

    Soka University of America

    Aliso Viejo , CA

    Tuition + fees

    $36K

    Acceptance

    57%

    Graduation

    88%

    Student body

    <1K

    What is Soka University of America known for?

    Soka University of America’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  17. #20

    Woodbury University

    Burbank , CA

    Tuition + fees

    $45K

    Acceptance

    63%

    Graduation

    55%

    Student body

    1K

    Career Outlook for degree at Woodbury University

    Cost of Degree: $44,908
    Expenses: $18,341
    Starting Salary: $52,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Woodbury University known for?

    Woodbury University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  18. What is John F. Kennedy University known for?

    John F. Kennedy University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  19. #22

    Thomas Aquinas College

    Santa Paula , CA

    Tuition + fees

    $27K

    Acceptance

    85%

    Graduation

    85%

    Student body

    <1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1315/29

    Career Outlook for degree at Thomas Aquinas College

    Cost of Degree: $27,000
    Expenses: $13,000
    Starting Salary: $45,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Thomas Aquinas College known for?
  20. #23

    California Lutheran University

    Thousand Oaks , CA

    Tuition + fees

    $48K

    Acceptance

    87%

    Graduation

    73%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1235/28

    Career Outlook for degree at California Lutheran University

    Cost of Degree: $48,012
    Expenses: $19,793
    Starting Salary: $60,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is California Lutheran University known for?

    California Lutheran University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  21. Tuition + fees

    $40K

    Acceptance

    69%

    Graduation

    63%

    Student body

    5K

    Career Outlook for degree at Concordia University Irvine

    Cost of Degree: $40,180
    Expenses: $17,240
    Starting Salary: $50,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Concordia University Irvine known for?

    Concordia University Irvine’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Concordia University Irvine’s Online Degrees

    BBA in Business Administration and Leadership
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Townsend Institute: Leadership Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Healthcare Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  22. #25

    University of the West

    Rosemead , CA

    Tuition + fees

    $14K

    Acceptance

    74%

    Graduation

    20%

    Student body

    <1K

    What is University of the West known for?

    University of the West’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  23. #26

    Marymount California University

    Rancho Palos Verdes , CA

    Tuition + fees

    $37K

    Student body

    <1K

    Career Outlook for degree at Marymount California University

    Cost of Degree: $36,908
    Expenses: $20,583
    Starting Salary: $42,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Marymount California University known for?

    Marymount California University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  24. #27

    Holy Names University

    Oakland , CA

    Tuition + fees

    $42K

    Acceptance

    100%

    Graduation

    54%

    Student body

    1K

    Career Outlook for degree at Holy Names University

    Cost of Degree: $42,115
    Expenses: $18,477
    Starting Salary: $57,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Holy Names University known for?

    Holy Names University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Holy Names University’s Online Degrees

    BA in Business Completion
    Degree Concentrations
    • Certified Personal Financial Planning
    • Finance
    • International Business
    • Management
    • Marketing
    • Sport Management
    • Required Credits: 55
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  25. Tuition + fees

    $28K

    Acceptance

    80%

    Graduation

    73%

    Student body

    <1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1092/19

    What is John Paul the Great Catholic University known for?

    John Paul the Great Catholic University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  26. Tuition + fees

    $36K

    Acceptance

    32%

    Graduation

    50%

    Student body

    1K

    Career Outlook for degree at Hope International University

    Cost of Degree: $35,700
    Expenses: $17,253
    Starting Salary: $40,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Hope International University known for?

    Hope International University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Hope International University’s Online Degrees

    BA in Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Teacher Preperation
    • Required Credits: 122
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Christian Ministry
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  27. #30

    Simpson University

    Redding , CA

    Tuition + fees

    $37K

    Graduation

    47%

    Student body

    1K

    Career Outlook for degree at Simpson University

    Cost of Degree: $37,480
    Expenses: $16,100
    Starting Salary: $39,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Simpson University known for?

    Simpson University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Simpson University’s Online Degrees

    BA in Organizational Leadership
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Psychology
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
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Exploring Small Colleges in the Golden State

California is notably cultural, with many cities spread across its pacific coastline. The state is also home to some of the best public university systems in the world, rivaling the Ivy Leagues of the East Coast!

The state is also known for Silicon Valley and Hollywood. Elite institutions like the University of California, Los Angeles, or the University of California, Berkeley, are great options for students from across the globe, particularly through their online programs.

Study Options in California

Some of California’s small college standout features are student and population diversity, geographical advantage, numerous academic opportunities, and the presence of environmentally-conscious industries.

Situated in the Bay Area, Oakland is one of the most diverse cities in the US. Most of its residents are either Hispanics, Blacks, or Asians. Oakland is home to many schools, including the California College of Arts and Mills College. Because of its proximity to San Francisco and Berkeley, students from Oakland can easily commute between these two cities.

On the other hand, San Diego has beautiful and consistently warm weather, with annual temperatures averaging 72 degrees. The city’s coastal location offers access to many fine beaches, perfect for students to chill occasionally.

Claremont, located just outside Los Angeles, is home to the Claremont Colleges, an association of seven prestigious private schools. It draws seven distinct institutions in less than a square mile. The Claremont Consortium includes Pomona College, Claremont Graduate University, Scripps College, Claremont McKenna College, Harvey Mudd College, Pitzer College, and Keck Graduate Institute

Best Green Industries: Berkeley

Best known for its progressive values, Berkeley is ranked among the top cities for green jobs. Students who are interested in pursuing green jobs can enjoy the different academic and professional opportunities UC Berkeley offers. Neighboring cities, including Hayward, Oakland, and San Francisco, also offer many green employment opportunities.

Best for Entertainment: Los Angeles

Los Angeles is the cultural hub of the West Coast, offering unmatched opportunities for nightlife and entertainment. The city’s culture and economy are driven mostly by film, music, and other entertainment industries. Major colleges in LA include the University of Southern California, UCLA, and the California Institute of the Arts.

Academic Opportunities for Small Public or Private School Options in California

Some of the best schools in the US are found in California. It is home to the California State University System, with more than 485,500 enrolled students across 23 campuses. UCLA and Berkeley, two of the best public colleges in the US, are also found in California.

While the University of Southern California, Stanford, and the California Institute of Technology attract many students both nationally and internationally the more selective and smaller liberal arts colleges like Harvey Mudd and Pomona are also great options.

Those planning to enroll in vocational schools, coding boot camps, and other community and small colleges can also enjoy many options in California.

Tech Opportunities in California

California is a tech hub. This city offers many educational and professional opportunities for students interested in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). Berkeley and Stanford University are known for having top figures in the tech industry. Some of the most successful startup technology ventures also come from these schools.

Students studying in California have internships and learning opportunities at some of the country’s biggest tech companies, like Google and Apple. With these professional connections and internships, students can still land their dream jobs right after college. Coding boot camps, another route into the tech industry, are also plenty in California.

The Cost of Studying in California

California has a high cost of living. Out-of-state tuition rates are potential financial barriers, especially for students not living in California.

The state does have several top-ranked public colleges, and some institutions that are members of the UC system qualify as Public Ivies. Stanford, USC, and other private colleges add to California’s academic prestige.

While the options are varied, out-of-state students must weigh the pros and cons of attending a college in California against living and tuition costs.

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California’s Best Small 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. California Institute of Technology
  2. Antioch University
  3. Pomona College
  4. Harvey Mudd College
  5. Claremont McKenna College
  6. Occidental College
  7. Pitzer College
  8. Scripps College
  9. California Institute of Integral Studies
  10. Golden Gate University
  11. Mills College at Northeastern University
  12. American Jewish University
  13. Whittier College
  14. University of Redlands
  15. Dominican University of California
  16. University of the West
  17. Biola University
  18. Westmont College
  19. Woodbury University
  20. Thomas Aquinas College
  21. Pacific Union College
  22. San Diego Christian College
  23. La Sierra University
  24. Notre Dame de Namur University
  25. Saint Mary's College of California

Many states have great small colleges. If you’re interested in looking into what other states have to offer, check out the best small colleges in Washington DC and Wisconsin.

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