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Best Colleges in California

All 327 colleges in California, ranked by overall quality and led by California Institute of Technology, Stanford University and Harvey Mudd College. 131 public, 196 private. median out-of-state tuition $14,922. lowest in-state tuition $1,104 at Barstow Community College. Each school below shows its acceptance rate, tuition and average SAT.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best college in California?

Based on our overall rankings, California Institute of Technology is the top-ranked college in California. Other strong choices include Stanford University, Harvey Mudd College, Gnomon.

How many colleges are in California?

We track 327 four-year colleges in California, including 131 public institutions and 196 private ones.

How much does college cost in California?

The average out-of-state tuition across colleges we track in California is approximately $14,922 per year. In-state students at public schools typically pay significantly less, and most schools offer financial aid that reduces the effective cost.

What are the best public colleges in California?

The best public colleges in California include University of California-Berkeley, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, University of California-Los Angeles. Public universities typically offer lower tuition for in-state residents.

What are the best private colleges in California?

The best private colleges in California include California Institute of Technology, Stanford University, Harvey Mudd College. Private colleges may offer more generous financial aid despite higher sticker prices.

How are these California rankings determined?

Our overall rankings are calculated independently from publicly available data including U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, IPEDS, and aggregated student-experience signals — not from US News or any other publication.

By major in California

  1. 1. California Institute of Technology — Pasadena, CA · 2.6% acceptance · $65,898 tuition · 94% grad rate
  2. 2. Stanford University — Stanford, CA · 3.6% acceptance · SAT 1,553 · $65,910 tuition · 92% grad rate
  3. 3. Harvey Mudd College — Claremont, CA · 12.7% acceptance · SAT 1,545 · $68,613 tuition · 92% grad rate
  4. 4. Gnomon — North Hollywood, CA · 41.8% acceptance · $37,635 tuition · 100% grad rate
  5. 5. Claremont McKenna College — Claremont, CA · 9.6% acceptance · SAT 1,527 · $67,980 tuition · 91% grad rate
  6. 6. Santa Clara University — Santa Clara, CA · 48% acceptance · SAT 1,426 · $61,293 tuition · 88% grad rate
  7. 7. University of California-Berkeley — Berkeley, CA · 11% acceptance · $50,547 tuition · 93% grad rate
  8. 8. University of Southern California — Los Angeles, CA · 9.8% acceptance · SAT 1,495 · $72,097 tuition · 92% grad rate
  9. 9. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo — San Luis Obispo, CA · 31.3% acceptance · $34,665 tuition · 86% grad rate
  10. 10. University of California-Los Angeles — Los Angeles, CA · 9% acceptance · $49,403 tuition · 93% grad rate
  11. 11. Pomona College — Claremont, CA · 7.1% acceptance · SAT 1,534 · $65,420 tuition · 93% grad rate
  12. 12. University of California-San Diego — La Jolla, CA · 26.7% acceptance · $50,958 tuition · 86% grad rate
  13. 13. West Coast University-Orange County — Anaheim, CA · $22,506 tuition · 60% grad rate
  14. 14. University of San Diego — San Diego, CA · 52.4% acceptance · $59,486 tuition · 84% grad rate
  15. 15. University of California-Irvine — Irvine, CA · 28.6% acceptance · $49,922 tuition · 87% grad rate
  16. 16. University of California-Davis — Davis, CA · 41.8% acceptance · $50,974 tuition · 86% grad rate
  17. 17. Pepperdine University — Malibu, CA · 62.9% acceptance · SAT 1,384 · $69,918 tuition · 83% grad rate
  18. 18. Scripps College — Claremont, CA · 38.3% acceptance · SAT 1,492 · $65,950 tuition · 83% grad rate
  19. 19. University of California-Santa Barbara — Santa Barbara, CA · 33% acceptance · $50,614 tuition · 83% grad rate
  20. 20. Dominican University of California — San Rafael, CA · 83.5% acceptance · SAT 1,290 · $52,161 tuition · 78% grad rate
  21. 21. University of San Francisco — San Francisco, CA · 61.7% acceptance · SAT 1,295 · $60,492 tuition · 70% grad rate
  22. 22. Occidental College — Los Angeles, CA · 44.2% acceptance · SAT 1,452 · $66,274 tuition · 81% grad rate
  23. 23. Loyola Marymount University — Los Angeles, CA · 45.1% acceptance · SAT 1,359 · $62,357 tuition · 79% grad rate
  24. 24. West Coast University-Ontario — Ontario, CA · $36,854 tuition · 50% grad rate
  25. 25. California Career College — Canoga Park, CA · 100% grad rate
  26. 26. Pitzer College — Claremont, CA · 25.2% acceptance · $65,192 tuition · 83% grad rate
  27. 27. California State University Maritime Academy — Vallejo, CA · 95% acceptance · $22,544 tuition · 60% grad rate
  28. 28. Chapman University — Orange, CA · 65.4% acceptance · SAT 1,357 · $64,984 tuition · 82% grad rate
  29. 29. American University of Health Sciences — Signal Hill, CA · 50% acceptance · $24,575 tuition · 50% grad rate
  30. 30. Art Center College of Design — Pasadena, CA · 74.5% acceptance · $54,170 tuition · 79% grad rate
  31. 31. Saint Mary's College of California — Moraga, CA · 86.5% acceptance · $57,803 tuition · 70% grad rate
  32. 32. University of the Pacific — Stockton, CA · 71.3% acceptance · SAT 1,346 · $57,080 tuition · 69% grad rate
  33. 33. San Jose State University — San Jose, CA · 84.6% acceptance · $21,010 tuition · 69% grad rate
  34. 34. Southern California Institute of Architecture — Los Angeles, CA · 76.6% acceptance · $56,162 tuition · 71% grad rate
  35. 35. University of California-Riverside — Riverside, CA · 76.4% acceptance · $49,806 tuition · 76% grad rate
  36. 36. Soka University of America — Aliso Viejo, CA · 43.4% acceptance · SAT 1,440 · $38,728 tuition · 92% grad rate
  37. 37. University of California-Santa Cruz — Santa Cruz, CA · 65.8% acceptance · $50,205 tuition · 75% grad rate
  38. 38. San Diego State University — San Diego, CA · 36.2% acceptance · $21,328 tuition · 76% grad rate
  39. 39. University of Redlands — Redlands, CA · 82.7% acceptance · SAT 1,241 · $60,878 tuition · 67% grad rate
  40. 40. California State Polytechnic University-Pomona — Pomona, CA · 75.2% acceptance · $20,380 tuition · 68% grad rate
  41. 41. Thomas Aquinas College — Santa Paula, CA · 83.1% acceptance · SAT 1,329 · $30,200 tuition · 84% grad rate
  42. 42. Point Loma Nazarene University — San Diego, CA · 83.7% acceptance · SAT 1,287 · $46,250 tuition · 77% grad rate
  43. 43. West Coast University-Los Angeles — North Hollywood, CA · $36,854 tuition · 31% grad rate
  44. 44. California Lutheran University — Thousand Oaks, CA · 75.7% acceptance · SAT 1,266 · $52,560 tuition · 70% grad rate
  45. 45. Westmont College — Santa Barbara, CA · 77.1% acceptance · SAT 1,328 · $53,584 tuition · 70% grad rate
  46. 46. California State University-Long Beach — Long Beach, CA · 46.3% acceptance · $19,950 tuition · 69% grad rate
  47. 47. World Mission University — Los Angeles, CA · $6,920 tuition · 100% grad rate
  48. 48. Pacific States University — Los Angeles, CA · $10,159 tuition · 100% grad rate
  49. 49. Career Networks Institute — Santa Ana, CA · 83% grad rate
  50. 50. Stanbridge University — Irvine, CA · 10% acceptance · 72% grad rate
  51. 51. University of California-Merced — Merced, CA · 90.5% acceptance · $49,823 tuition · 69% grad rate
  52. 52. California State University-Fullerton — Fullerton, CA · 90.5% acceptance · $20,070 tuition · 70% grad rate
  53. 53. Lincoln University — Oakland, CA · $13,150 tuition · 76% grad rate
  54. 54. Azusa Pacific University — Azusa, CA · 88.4% acceptance · SAT 1,195 · $44,458 tuition · 62% grad rate
  55. 55. Pacific Union College — Angwin, CA · 47.3% acceptance · $37,173 tuition · 58% grad rate
  56. 56. California State University-Chico — Chico, CA · 92.7% acceptance · $21,072 tuition · 63% grad rate
  57. 57. Grace Mission University — Fullerton, CA · $3,370 tuition · 100% grad rate
  58. 58. Biola University — La Mirada, CA · 74.4% acceptance · SAT 1,261 · $48,984 tuition · 68% grad rate
  59. 59. The Master's University and Seminary — Santa Clarita, CA · 84% acceptance · $39,020 tuition · 68% grad rate
  60. 60. Menlo College — Atherton, CA · 68.5% acceptance · $53,630 tuition · 54% grad rate
  61. 61. Sonoma State University — Rohnert Park, CA · 93.4% acceptance · $21,224 tuition · 58% grad rate
  62. 62. Minerva University — San Francisco, CA · 3% acceptance · $23,630 tuition · 89% grad rate
  63. 63. California Northstate University — Elk Grove, CA · 92.5% acceptance · $57,463 tuition · 100% grad rate
  64. 64. La Sierra University — Riverside, CA · 91.5% acceptance · $37,710 tuition · 60% grad rate
  65. 65. John Paul the Great Catholic University — Escondido, CA · 79.6% acceptance · SAT 1,130 · $30,265 tuition · 64% grad rate
  66. 66. Concordia University-Irvine — Irvine, CA · 66% acceptance · $43,480 tuition · 58% grad rate
  67. 67. Smith Chason College — Los Angeles, CA · $19,040 tuition · 64% grad rate
  68. 68. California State University-Sacramento — Sacramento, CA · 94% acceptance · $20,618 tuition · 56% grad rate
  69. 69. Mount Saint Mary's University — Los Angeles, CA · 73.1% acceptance · $49,564 tuition · 53% grad rate
  70. 70. De Anza College — Cupertino, CA · $12,596 tuition · 68% grad rate
  71. 71. University of La Verne — La Verne, CA · 71.2% acceptance · SAT 1,083 · $49,470 tuition · 63% grad rate
  72. 72. Woodbury University — Burbank, CA · 81.7% acceptance · $47,056 tuition · 60% grad rate
  73. 73. Universal Technical Institute of California Inc — Rancho Cucamonga, CA · 66% grad rate
  74. 74. California State University-Stanislaus — Turlock, CA · 98.1% acceptance · $20,846 tuition · 53% grad rate
  75. 75. San Francisco State University — San Francisco, CA · 96.4% acceptance · $20,550 tuition · 50% grad rate
  76. 76. California State University-Monterey Bay — Seaside, CA · 97.4% acceptance · $20,379 tuition · 59% grad rate
  77. 77. California Baptist University — Riverside, CA · 84.9% acceptance · $41,228 tuition · 62% grad rate
  78. 78. Otis College of Art and Design — Los Angeles, CA · 81.8% acceptance · SAT 1,310 · $56,488 tuition · 66% grad rate
  79. 79. California State University-Fresno — Fresno, CA · 95.3% acceptance · $19,950 tuition · 57% grad rate
  80. 80. California State University-East Bay — Hayward, CA · 97.4% acceptance · $20,183 tuition · 48% grad rate
  81. 81. California State University-San Marcos — San Marcos, CA · 95.1% acceptance · $20,682 tuition · 55% grad rate
  82. 82. PCI College — Cerritos, CA · 68% grad rate
  83. 83. Newschool of Architecture and Design — San Diego, CA · 100% acceptance · $30,291 tuition · 54% grad rate
  84. 84. California State University-San Bernardino — San Bernardino, CA · 93.7% acceptance · $20,693 tuition · 55% grad rate
  85. 85. Whittier College — Whittier, CA · 80.8% acceptance · $51,350 tuition · 60% grad rate
  86. 86. Humphreys University-Stockton and Modesto Campuses — Stockton, CA · $13,500 tuition · 62% grad rate
  87. 87. California College of the Arts — San Francisco, CA · 91.1% acceptance · $60,226 tuition · 61% grad rate
  88. 88. Casa Loma College-Los Angeles — Sherman Oaks, CA · 42.6% acceptance · 73% grad rate
  89. 89. California State University-Northridge — Northridge, CA · 93.5% acceptance · $20,058 tuition · 57% grad rate
  90. 90. Design Institute of San Diego — San Diego, CA · 100% acceptance · $29,300 tuition · 80% grad rate
  91. 91. William Jessup University — Rocklin, CA · 93.3% acceptance · SAT 1,150 · $37,150 tuition · 56% grad rate
  92. 92. Universal Technical Institute-Southern California — Long Beach, CA · 63% grad rate
  93. 93. San Joaquin Valley College-Rancho Cordova — Rancho Cordova, CA · 76% grad rate
  94. 94. Vanguard University of Southern California — Costa Mesa, CA · 62.4% acceptance · $41,700 tuition · 57% grad rate
  95. 95. California State University-Channel Islands — Camarillo, CA · 94.8% acceptance · $19,759 tuition · 51% grad rate
  96. 96. American Medical Sciences Center — Glendale, CA · 75% grad rate
  97. 97. College of San Mateo — San Mateo, CA · $11,384 tuition · 61% grad rate
  98. 98. California State University-Bakersfield — Bakersfield, CA · 93.9% acceptance · $20,690 tuition · 50% grad rate
  99. 99. California State University-Los Angeles — Los Angeles, CA · 91.3% acceptance · $19,760 tuition · 53% grad rate
  100. 100. Universal Technical Institute of Northern California Inc — Sacramento, CA · 65% grad rate
  101. 101. Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science — Los Angeles, CA · 38.7% acceptance · $23,000 tuition · 37% grad rate
  102. 102. Fresno Pacific University — Fresno, CA · 64.1% acceptance · $36,660 tuition · 50% grad rate
  103. 103. Chamberlain University-California — Rancho Cordova, CA · 80% acceptance · $21,271 tuition
  104. 104. Laguna College of Art and Design — Laguna Beach, CA · 94.3% acceptance · $37,500 tuition · 52% grad rate
  105. 105. California Institute of the Arts — Valencia, CA · 32.3% acceptance · $58,996 tuition · 67% grad rate
  106. 106. Deep Springs College — Deep Springs, CA · 7% acceptance · SAT 1,540 · 98% grad rate
  107. 107. Irvine Valley College — Irvine, CA · $11,860 tuition · 57% grad rate
  108. 108. Ohlone College — Fremont, CA · $8,714 tuition · 52% grad rate
  109. 109. Pacific College — Costa Mesa, CA · 56% acceptance · 71% grad rate
  110. 110. West Valley College — Saratoga, CA · $8,702 tuition · 51% grad rate
  111. 111. Las Positas College — Livermore, CA · $9,808 tuition · 53% grad rate
  112. 112. Young Americans College of the Performing Arts — Corona, CA · 100% acceptance · $14,030 tuition · 71% grad rate
  113. 113. University of Massachusetts Global — Aliso Viejo, CA · $12,540 tuition · 43% grad rate
  114. 114. California State University-Dominguez Hills — Carson, CA · 93.3% acceptance · $20,049 tuition · 43% grad rate
  115. 115. Asher College — Sacramento, CA · 70% grad rate
  116. 116. National University — San Diego, CA · $13,284 tuition · 43% grad rate
  117. 117. San Francisco Conservatory of Music — San Francisco, CA · 54.9% acceptance · $56,150 tuition · 63% grad rate
  118. 118. Diablo Valley College — Pleasant Hill, CA · $10,320 tuition · 49% grad rate
  119. 119. Professional Golfers Career College — Temecula, CA · $18,840 tuition · 50% grad rate
  120. 120. Saddleback College — Mission Viejo, CA · $11,860 tuition · 48% grad rate
  121. 121. Mission College — Santa Clara, CA · $12,500 tuition · 46% grad rate
  122. 122. California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt — Arcata, CA · 98.2% acceptance · $20,850 tuition · 49% grad rate
  123. 123. Premiere Career College — Irwindale, CA · 52% grad rate
  124. 124. SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary — El Dorado Hills, CA · 40.7% acceptance · $10,460 tuition · 67% grad rate
  125. 125. Canada College — Redwood City, CA · $11,384 tuition · 47% grad rate
  126. 126. San Diego Miramar College — San Diego, CA · $10,002 tuition · 48% grad rate
  127. 127. Evergreen Valley College — San Jose, CA · $8,718 tuition · 41% grad rate
  128. 128. Simpson University — Redding, CA · 86% acceptance · $39,708 tuition · 49% grad rate
  129. 129. College of the Canyons — Santa Clarita, CA · $10,958 tuition · 45% grad rate
  130. 130. Samuel Merritt University — Oakland, CA
  131. 131. Shasta Bible College and Graduate School — Redding, CA · 100% acceptance · $14,535 tuition · 100% grad rate
  132. 132. Life Pacific University — San Dimas, CA · 95.8% acceptance · $22,118 tuition · 48% grad rate
  133. 133. Chabot College — Hayward, CA · $8,686 tuition · 47% grad rate
  134. 134. National Polytechnic College — Lakewood, CA · 47% grad rate
  135. 135. Mt San Antonio College — Walnut, CA · $10,464 tuition · 45% grad rate
  136. 136. Los Angeles Pierce College — Woodland Hills, CA · $10,572 tuition · 46% grad rate
  137. 137. Pasadena City College — Pasadena, CA · $9,820 tuition · 48% grad rate
  138. 138. Westcliff University — Irvine, CA · 73.2% acceptance · $17,670 tuition · 62% grad rate
  139. 139. Golden West College — Huntington Beach, CA · $11,628 tuition · 49% grad rate
  140. 140. Gavilan College — Gilroy, CA · $12,249 tuition · 42% grad rate
  141. 141. Norco College — Norco, CA · $12,498 tuition · 42% grad rate
  142. 142. Hope International University — Fullerton, CA · 33% acceptance · SAT 1,020 · $38,050 tuition · 49% grad rate
  143. 143. Los Angeles County College of Nursing and Allied Health — Los Angeles, CA
  144. 144. Napa Valley College — Napa, CA · $11,908 tuition · 37% grad rate
  145. 145. Providence Christian College — Pasadena, CA · 100% acceptance · $36,963 tuition · 36% grad rate
  146. 146. Sierra College — Rocklin, CA · $1,446 tuition · 42% grad rate
  147. 147. Ventura College — Ventura, CA · $9,615 tuition · 38% grad rate
  148. 148. Rio Hondo College — Whittier, CA · $9,884 tuition · 25% grad rate
  149. 149. Folsom Lake College — Folsom, CA · $12,616 tuition · 44% grad rate
  150. 150. Lemoore College — Lemoore, CA · $10,954 tuition · 49% grad rate
  151. 151. California Miramar University — San Diego, CA · 18.5% acceptance · $12,442 tuition · 50% grad rate
  152. 152. Los Medanos College — Pittsburg, CA · $10,320 tuition · 41% grad rate
  153. 153. Cabrillo College — Aptos, CA · $9,862 tuition · 38% grad rate
  154. 154. Lionel University — Carpinteria, CA · $15,265 tuition · 52% grad rate
  155. 155. University of Silicon Valley — San Jose, CA · 51.2% acceptance · $22,480 tuition · 29% grad rate
  156. 156. Glendale Career College-North-West College-Bakersfield — Bakersfield, CA · 50% grad rate
  157. 157. Moreno Valley College — Moreno Valley, CA · $12,498 tuition · 34% grad rate
  158. 158. El Camino Community College District — Torrance, CA · $7,630 tuition · 42% grad rate
  159. 159. Imperial Valley College — Imperial, CA · $8,852 tuition · 45% grad rate
  160. 160. College of Marin — Kentfield, CA · $9,334 tuition · 39% grad rate
  161. 161. Hartnell College — Salinas, CA · $10,374 tuition · 40% grad rate
  162. 162. Cosumnes River College — Sacramento, CA · $12,616 tuition · 40% grad rate
  163. 163. Shasta College — Redding, CA · $8,853 tuition · 23% grad rate
  164. 164. Santa Barbara City College — Santa Barbara, CA · $10,432 tuition · 34% grad rate
  165. 165. San Diego Christian College — Santee, CA · 30.8% acceptance · $28,012 tuition · 20% grad rate
  166. 166. Academy of Art University — San Francisco, CA · $30,736 tuition · 34% grad rate
  167. 167. Woodland Community College — Woodland, CA · $7,656 tuition · 43% grad rate
  168. 168. Fullerton College — Fullerton, CA · $12,379 tuition · 34% grad rate
  169. 169. Los Angeles Harbor College — Wilmington, CA · $10,568 tuition · 36% grad rate
  170. 170. Glendale Community College — Glendale, CA · $10,935 tuition · 37% grad rate
  171. 171. Oxnard College — Oxnard, CA · $9,615 tuition · 34% grad rate
  172. 172. San Jose City College — San Jose, CA · $11,922 tuition · 34% grad rate
  173. 173. West Los Angeles College — Culver City, CA · $10,572 tuition · 28% grad rate
  174. 174. Touro University California — Vallejo, CA · $20,005 tuition
  175. 175. Oak Valley College — Rialto, CA · $24,180 tuition · 42% grad rate
  176. 176. Berkeley City College — Berkeley, CA · $9,898 tuition · 36% grad rate
  177. 177. Chaffey College — Rancho Cucamonga, CA · $11,120 tuition · 36% grad rate
  178. 178. Yeshiva Ohr Elchonon Chabad West Coast Talmudical Seminary — Los Angeles, CA · 58.2% acceptance · $16,900 tuition · 12% grad rate
  179. 179. Monterey Peninsula College — Monterey, CA · $10,572 tuition · 40% grad rate
  180. 180. American River College — Sacramento, CA · $12,616 tuition · 37% grad rate
  181. 181. San Joaquin Delta College — Stockton, CA · $9,772 tuition · 35% grad rate
  182. 182. College of the Sequoias — Visalia, CA · $9,038 tuition · 39% grad rate
  183. 183. Laurus College — San Luis Obispo, CA · 43% grad rate
  184. 184. Riverside City College — Riverside, CA · $12,498 tuition · 37% grad rate
  185. 185. Grossmont College — El Cajon, CA · $10,628 tuition · 37% grad rate
  186. 186. East Los Angeles College — Monterey Park, CA · $10,572 tuition · 37% grad rate
  187. 187. West Coast University-Center for Graduate Studies — Los Angeles, CA
  188. 188. Touro University Worldwide — Los Alamitos, CA · $14,600 tuition · 36% grad rate
  189. 189. Southwestern College — Chula Vista, CA · $10,640 tuition · 36% grad rate
  190. 190. Sacramento City College — Sacramento, CA · $12,616 tuition · 33% grad rate
  191. 191. CBD College — Los Angeles, CA · 72% grad rate
  192. 192. Feather River Community College District — Quincy, CA · $10,435 tuition · 35% grad rate
  193. 193. College of Alameda — Alameda, CA · $9,898 tuition · 33% grad rate
  194. 194. California Aeronautical University — Bakersfield, CA · $37,667 tuition · 30% grad rate
  195. 195. Clovis Community College — Fresno, CA · $8,638 tuition · 45% grad rate
  196. 196. Contra Costa College — San Pablo, CA · $10,320 tuition · 28% grad rate
  197. 197. Yuba College — Marysville, CA · $8,208 tuition · 40% grad rate
  198. 198. Modesto Junior College — Modesto, CA · $9,264 tuition · 30% grad rate
  199. 199. Mt San Jacinto Community College District — San Jacinto, CA · $12,728 tuition · 36% grad rate
  200. 200. Los Angeles College of Music — Pasadena, CA · 87.7% acceptance · $30,540 tuition · 41% grad rate

Best Colleges in California on PickACampus