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    Top Colleges in California

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

    Gabriel Jimenez-Ekman is a content editor and writer at Scholarships360. He has managed communications and written content for a diverse array of organizations, including a farmer’s market, a concert venue, a student farm, an environmental NGO, and a PR agency. Gabriel graduated from Kenyon College with a degree in sociology.

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    Learn about our editorial policies

    Updated: May 28th, 2024

    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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    65 colleges
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    S

    Stanford University

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

    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
    95% graduation rate
    7,761 undergrads
    $10,851 net price
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    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
    92% graduation rate
    906 undergrads
    $39,671 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

    11% acceptance
    94% graduation rate
    32,475 undergrads
    $17,371 net price

    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…

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

    7% acceptance
    95% graduation rate
    1,699 undergrads
    $18,084 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

    10% acceptance
    91% graduation rate
    1,383 undergrads
    $19,489 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. The university offers a diverse range of academic and extracurricular activities, with…Read More

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

    9% acceptance
    92% graduation rate
    32,423 undergrads
    $15,637 net price
    D

    University of California-San Diego

    La Jolla, CA • Public, City

    Top College Top College, Top Affordability
    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

    24% acceptance
    88% graduation rate
    33,092 undergrads
    $15,069 net price
    C

    California Institute of Technology

    Pasadena, CA • Private, Non-Profit, City, Need-Blind

    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
    94% graduation rate
    982 undergrads
    $16,550 net price
    I

    University of California-Irvine

    Irvine, CA • Public, City

    Top College Top College, Top Affordability
    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

    21% acceptance
    87% graduation rate
    28,651 undergrads
    $12,426 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

    12% acceptance
    93% graduation rate
    20,505 undergrads
    $29,462 net price
    D

    University of California-Davis

    Davis, CA • Public, Suburb

    Top College Top College, Top Affordability
    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

    37% acceptance
    86% graduation rate
    31,512 undergrads
    $15,674 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
    20,976 undergrads
    $18,766 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 is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in Aliso Viejo, California. There are currently 445 undergraduates at Soka and the school’s acceptance rate is 57%. The…

    Soka University of America is a private, non-profit 4-year college…Read More

    57% acceptance
    88% graduation rate
    445 undergrads
    $21,267 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

    26% acceptance
    86% graduation rate
    23,419 undergrads
    $15,482 net price
    P

    Pitzer College

    Claremont, CA • Private, Non-Profit, Suburb

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

    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…

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

    18% acceptance
    85% graduation rate
    1,212 undergrads
    $40,261 net price
    S

    San Diego State University

    San Diego, CA • Public, City

    Top College Top College, Top Affordability
    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 31,810 undergraduates at SDSU and the school’s acceptance rate is 39%. The tuition…

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

    39% acceptance
    78% graduation rate
    31,810 undergrads
    $12,721 net price
    C

    California State University-Long Beach

    Long Beach, CA • Public, City

    Top College Top College, Top Affordability
    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

    40% acceptance
    73% graduation rate
    32,780 undergrads
    $8,721 net price
    C

    California State University-Fullerton

    Fullerton, CA • Public, Suburb

    Top College Top College, Top Affordability
    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 35,249 undergraduates at CSUF and the school’s acceptance rate is 67%. The tuition at CSUF…

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

    67% acceptance
    69% graduation rate
    35,249 undergrads
    $7,485 net price
    S

    Santa Clara University

    Santa Clara, CA • Private, Non-Profit, City

    Top College Top College
    Top College Top College

    Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, Santa Clara University offers students unique opportunities to intern with leading tech companies. The Jesuit institution is known for its strong business and…Read More

    Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, Santa Clara University…Read More

    52% acceptance
    89% graduation rate
    6,103 undergrads
    $44,133 net price
    R

    University of California-Riverside

    Riverside, CA • Public, City

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

    The University of California, Riverside is a public research university known for strong programs in the sciences, engineering, and humanities. The campus is home to the UCR Botanic Gardens, a…Read More

    The University of California, Riverside is a public research university…Read More

    69% acceptance
    76% graduation rate
    22,842 undergrads
    $14,306 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.

    State Grants in California

    Most states offer their own state-wide grants to help residents obtain an affordable education. Here are some of the most prominent state-wide grants in California:

    Cal Grant

    Cal Grants provide significant funding to California students who are attending any of the Universities of California, California State Universities or California Community Colleges. It can also benefit select qualifying independent and career colleges or technical schools in California.

    California Promise

    The California Promise program offers tuition-free community college to students in the state who meet certain financial need criteria.

    Middle Class Scholarship

    The Middle Class Scholarship benefits California students seeking a teaching credential who meet financial need criteria. Students can receive the award for up to four years.

    Also see: 20 most affordable colleges in California

    California Tuition Reciprocity Agreements

    California is a member of the Western Undergraduate Exchange, which offers tuition discounts for students who attend public colleges in partner states. So, students in California can attend schools in partner states with reduced tuition, and students in partner states can attend California public schools for reduced tuition.

    Here’s a list of states who are part of the WUE:

    Other college lists to explore

    Frequently asked questions about colleges in California

    What is the hardest California college to get into?

    Stanford typically ends up with the lowest acceptance rate in the state of California. In 2023, their rate was 3.95%. However, college admissions are a complicated process and it’s always hard to predict whether you will get into a school. Some students may get accepted to Stanford and denied from schools with higher admissions rates. It’s always worth applying to a wide array of schools, even if some are reach schools.

    Why should I study in California?

    California is a great state to go to college. They have one of the best public school systems in the country, and the state is an economic powerhouse which offers many opportunities for employment before and after graduation.

    It’s also important to note, however, that much of California has a higher cost of living than the rest of the country. If you are considering attending school in California, be sure to factor this higher cost into your budgeting.

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