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    Top Colleges in California

    Gabriel Jimenez-Ekman Written by Gabriel Jimenez-Ekman
    Gabriel Jimenez-Ekman

    Gabriel Jimenez-Ekman is the Director of Content at Scholarships360. He has written over 300 articles on college admissions, financial aid, and scholarships, in addition to spearheading research projects for Scholarships360's Top Colleges resource. Gabriel graduated from Kenyon College with a degree in sociology.

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    Updated: January 27th, 2026

    California is home to some of the best-known private and public schools our country has to offer. With stellar options like Stanford University and the University of California-Berkeley, as well as affordability programs like California Promise, there is something for everyone in sunny California. Scroll down to find the right school for you in the Golden State.

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    71 colleges
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    Pomona College

    Claremont, CA • Private, Non-Profit, Suburb, Need-Blind

    Top College Top College, Top Affordability
    Top College Top College
    Top College: Affordability Top College: Affordability

    Pomona College, located in Claremont, California, is a premier liberal arts college known for its academic excellence and close-knit community. Founded in 1887, Pomona is one of the Claremont Colleges…Read More

    Pomona College, located in Claremont, California, is a premier liberal…Read More

    7% acceptance
    94% graduation rate
    1,699 undergrads
    $18,084 net price
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    Thomas Aquinas College

    Santa Paula, CA • Private, Non-Profit, Rural

    Thomas Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in Santa Paula, California. There are currently 516 undergraduates at Thomas Aquinas and the school’s acceptance rate is 85%. The…Read More

    Thomas Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year college located…Read More

    85% acceptance
    85% graduation rate
    516 undergrads
    $27,202 net price

    University of Redlands

    Redlands, CA • Private, Non-Profit, City

    Top College Top Accessibility
    Top College: Affordability Top College: Accessibility

    University of Redlands is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in Redlands, California. There are currently 2,301 undergraduates at Redlands and the school’s acceptance rate is 82%. The tuition at…Read More

    University of Redlands is a private, non-profit 4-year college located…Read More

    82% acceptance
    67% graduation rate
    2,301 undergrads
    $28,202 net price
    S

    Stanford University

    Stanford, CA • Private, Non-Profit, Suburb

    Top College Top College, Top Affordability
    Top College Top College
    Top College: Affordability Top College: Affordability

    Did you know that Stanford University is home to the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, one of the world's leading research facilities for particle physics? Located in Stanford, California, the university…Read More

    Did you know that Stanford University is home to the…Read More

    4% acceptance
    93% graduation rate
    7,841 undergrads
    $12,136 net price
    H

    Harvey Mudd College

    Claremont, CA • Private, Non-Profit, Suburb

    Top College Top College
    Top College Top College

    Located in Claremont, California, Harvey Mudd College is known for its rigorous STEM programs and interdisciplinary approach to education. The college is part of the Claremont Colleges consortium and offers…Read More

    Located in Claremont, California, Harvey Mudd College is known for…Read More

    13% acceptance
    94% graduation rate
    915 undergrads
    $32,492 net price
    B

    University of California-Berkeley

    Berkeley, CA • Public, City

    Top College Top College, Top Affordability
    Top College Top College
    Top College: Affordability Top College: Affordability

    UC Berkeley, located in the San Francisco Bay Area, is one of the most prestigious public schools in the country, renowned for its pioneering research and activism. Home to the…Read More

    UC Berkeley, located in the San Francisco Bay Area, is…Read More

    12% acceptance
    93% graduation rate
    33,073 undergrads
    $14,979 net price
    C

    Claremont McKenna College

    Claremont, CA • Private, Non-Profit, Suburb

    Top College Top College, Top Affordability
    Top College Top College
    Top College: Affordability Top College: Affordability

    A part of the Claremont Colleges consortium, CMC is located in Claremont, California, and is known for its strong programs in economics, government, and public affairs. The college emphasizes leadership…Read More

    A part of the Claremont Colleges consortium, CMC is located…Read More

    11% acceptance
    95% graduation rate
    1,379 undergrads
    $27,384 net price
    U

    University of California-Los Angeles

    Los Angeles, CA • Public, City

    Top College Top College, Top Affordability
    Top College Top College
    Top College: Affordability Top College: Affordability

    Located in Los Angeles, California, UCLA is renowned for its strong programs in film, theater, and the arts. With a vibrant campus life in the heart of LA, students have…Read More

    Located in Los Angeles, California, UCLA is renowned for its…Read More

    9% acceptance
    93% graduation rate
    33,040 undergrads
    $14,013 net price
    D

    University of California-San Diego

    La Jolla, CA • Public, City

    Top College Top College, Top Affordability, Top Accessibility
    Top College Top College
    Top College: Affordability Top College: Affordability

    UC San Diego, located in La Jolla, is famous for its research in oceanography, engineering, and the life sciences. The campus is home to the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and…Read More

    UC San Diego, located in La Jolla, is famous for…Read More

    25% acceptance
    88% graduation rate
    33,787 undergrads
    $11,750 net price
    C

    California Institute of Technology

    Pasadena, CA • Private, Non-Profit, City

    Top College Top College, Top Affordability
    Top College Top College
    Top College: Affordability Top College: Affordability

    Caltech, home to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), boasts a very low student-to-faculty ratio and some of the best STEM programs in the country. They have produced many Nobel Laureates…Read More

    Caltech, home to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), boasts a…Read More

    3% acceptance
    93% graduation rate
    1,023 undergrads
    $18,902 net price
    I

    University of California-Irvine

    Irvine, CA • Public, City

    Top College Top College, Top Affordability, Top Accessibility
    Top College Top College
    Top College: Affordability Top College: Affordability

    UC Irvine, situated in Orange County, is recognized for its strong programs in the sciences, engineering, and the arts. The campus features Aldrich Park, a lush, 19-acre botanical garden. UCI…Read More

    UC Irvine, situated in Orange County, is recognized for its…Read More

    26% acceptance
    86% graduation rate
    29,494 undergrads
    $12,840 net price
    S

    University of Southern California

    Los Angeles, CA • Private, Non-Profit, City

    Top College Top College
    Top College Top College

    The University of Southern California (USC) is a private research university in Los Angeles, known for its programs in film, business, engineering, and the arts. USC has a diverse student…Read More

    The University of Southern California (USC) is a private research…Read More

    10% acceptance
    92% graduation rate
    20,817 undergrads
    $31,927 net price
    D

    University of California-Davis

    Davis, CA • Public, Suburb

    Top College Top College, Top Affordability, Top Accessibility
    Top College Top College
    Top College: Affordability Top College: Affordability

    Located in Northern California, UC Davis is known for its exceptional programs in agriculture, veterinary medicine, and environmental sciences. The campus boasts the UC Davis Arboretum, a 100-acre living museum…Read More

    Located in Northern California, UC Davis is known for its…Read More

    42% acceptance
    85% graduation rate
    31,777 undergrads
    $15,288 net price
    C

    California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

    San Luis Obispo, CA • Public, Suburb

    Top College Top College, Top Affordability
    Top College Top College
    Top College: Affordability Top College: Affordability

    If you're a hands-on learner, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo might be the perfect fit. Known for its "Learn by Doing" philosophy, Cal Poly offers strong programs in engineering, architecture,…Read More

    If you're a hands-on learner, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo…Read More

    30% acceptance
    85% graduation rate
    21,521 undergrads
    $15,624 net price
    S

    Soka University of America

    Aliso Viejo, CA • Private, Non-Profit, Suburb, Need-Blind

    Top College Top College, Top Affordability
    Top College Top College
    Top College: Affordability Top College: Affordability

    Soka University of America, located in Aliso Viejo, California, is a private liberal arts institution that emphasizes global citizenship and the integration of diverse perspectives. The university follows the philosophy…Read More

    Soka University of America, located in Aliso Viejo, California, is…Read More

    70% acceptance
    87% graduation rate
    464 undergrads
    $21,446 net price
    B

    University of California-Santa Barbara

    Santa Barbara, CA • Public, Suburb

    Top College Top College, Top Affordability
    Top College Top College
    Top College: Affordability Top College: Affordability

    With its campus overlooking the Pacific Ocean, UCSB provides a unique living and learning environment. UC Santa Barbara is known for its strong programs in the sciences, engineering, and the…Read More

    With its campus overlooking the Pacific Ocean, UCSB provides a…Read More

    28% acceptance
    85% graduation rate
    23,205 undergrads
    $13,825 net price
    P

    Pitzer College

    Claremont, CA • Private, Non-Profit, Suburb

    Top College Top College
    Top College Top College

    Founded in 1963 and located in Claremont, California, Pitzer College is known for its emphasis on environmental sustainability and interdisciplinary learning. As one of the Claremont Colleges, Pitzer offers a…Read More

    Founded in 1963 and located in Claremont, California, Pitzer College…Read More

    17% acceptance
    83% graduation rate
    1,191 undergrads
    $31,663 net price
    S

    San Diego State University

    San Diego, CA • Public, City

    Top College Top College, Top Affordability, Top Accessibility
    Top College Top College
    Top College: Affordability Top College: Affordability

    San Diego State University is a public 4-year college located in San Diego, California. There are currently 33,654 undergraduates at SDSU and the school’s acceptance rate is 34%. The tuition…Read More

    San Diego State University is a public 4-year college located…Read More

    34% acceptance
    78% graduation rate
    33,654 undergrads
    $16,174 net price
    C

    California State University-Long Beach

    Long Beach, CA • Public, City

    Top College Top College, Top Affordability, Top Accessibility
    Top College Top College
    Top College: Affordability Top College: Affordability

    Situated just a few miles from the Pacific Ocean, CSULB is home to the iconic Walter Pyramid, a large blue pyramid used for athletic events and concerts. The school offers…Read More

    Situated just a few miles from the Pacific Ocean, CSULB…Read More

    47% acceptance
    70% graduation rate
    34,131 undergrads
    $8,931 net price
    C

    California State University-Fullerton

    Fullerton, CA • Public, Suburb

    Top College Top College, Top Affordability, Top Accessibility
    Top College Top College
    Top College: Affordability Top College: Affordability

    California State University-Fullerton is a public 4-year college located in Fullerton, California. There are currently 36,956 undergraduates at CSUF and the school’s acceptance rate is 87%. The tuition at CSUF…Read More

    California State University-Fullerton is a public 4-year college located in…Read More

    87% acceptance
    69% graduation rate
    36,956 undergrads
    $5,646 net price
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    About the Data

    We sort colleges on our lists according to their Scholarships360 Top Colleges Index Score. This score is calculated using up-to-date information taken directly from the College Scorecard. Additional information is sourced from the colleges themselves, as well as other publicly available information. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.

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