Best Colleges in California
Follow the Bear
Once you come to The Golden State, you never go back
California’s gorgeous scenery makes West Coast living easy. With the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Sierra Nevadas to the east, California is the most populous state in the country. Major universities have campuses in Los Angeles, Chico, Berkley, San Diego, San Francisco and more.* Have a soft spot for food production, viniculture, aerospace, or education? California leads the country in wine production and single-origin produce agriculture. The Golden State also has robust aerospace and education programs for all the engineers and teaching students out there. IT majors are also in good company with San Francisco’s iconic Silicon Valley. Recent job growth is at 1.36%, well over the nation’s average, with major industries including finance, business, engineering and technology.*
Once you’re in California, it’s a little work and a lot of play. Fill time between classes with wine tasting in Napa Valley or surfing in San Diego. Outdoor lovers can’t get enough with hiking and camping in Yosemite National Park, skiing in Mammoth, or rock climbing at Joshua Tree. California has thousands of restaurants and bars, concerts all year long, and the famous Hollywood. With over 20 professional sports teams, Lakers, 49ers, Angels, Kings, and more, as well as the Rose Bowl, you’re sure to find a good reason to show some spirit. Regardless of where you choose to live in California, make sure to own something that shows off your new state flag with that iconic big, brown bear.
*Wikipedia, “Colleges and Universities in California” *www.bestplaces.net/economy/state/California
Best Four Year Universities in California
| Rank | School Name | Location | Description | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stanford University | Stanford, CA |
Stanford University offers 310 Degree programs. It's a large private university in a large suburb. In 2015, 5,246 students graduated with students earning 2,428 Master's degrees, 1,802 Bachelor's degrees, 1,008 Doctoral degrees, and 8 Certificates degrees. | Based on 64 Reviews |
Read more: Stanford University Reviews
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| 2 | University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA |
University of Southern California offers 589 Degree programs. It's a large private university in a large city. In 2015, 16,393 students graduated with students earning 8,077 Master's degrees, 5,915 Bachelor's degrees, 1,669 Doctoral degrees, and 732 Certificates degrees. | Based on 52 Reviews |
Read more: University of Southern California Reviews
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| 3 | California Institute of Technology | Pasadena, CA |
California Institute of Technology offers 99 Degree programs. It's a small private university in a mid sized city. In 2015, 565 students graduated with students earning 243 Bachelor's degrees, 196 Doctoral degrees, 125 Master's degrees, and 1 Certificates degree. | Based on 4 Reviews |
Read more: California Institute of Technology Reviews
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| 4 | University of California-Berkeley | Berkeley, CA |
University of California-Berkeley offers 385 Degree programs. It's a large public university in a mid sized city. In 2015, 12,586 students graduated with students earning 8,789 Bachelor's degrees, 2,481 Master's degrees, 1,211 Doctoral degrees, and 105 Certificates degrees. | Based on 140 Reviews |
Read more: University of California-Berkeley Reviews
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| 5 | University of California-Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA |
University of California-Los Angeles offers 425 Degree programs. It's a large public university in a large city. In 2015, 13,293 students graduated with students earning 8,770 Bachelor's degrees, 3,072 Master's degrees, 1,450 Doctoral degrees, and 1 Certificates degree. | Based on 88 Reviews |
Read more: University of California-Los Angeles Reviews
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| 6 | Pepperdine University | Malibu, CA |
Pepperdine University offers 136 Degree programs. It's a medium sized private university in a large suburb. In 2015, 2,532 students graduated with students earning 1,259 Master's degrees, 972 Bachelor's degrees, and 301 Doctoral degrees. | Based on 8 Reviews |
Read more: Pepperdine University Reviews
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| 7 | University of California-San Diego | La Jolla, CA |
University of California-San Diego offers 283 Degree programs. It's a large public university in a large city. In 2015, 8,634 students graduated with students earning 6,438 Bachelor's degrees, 1,478 Master's degrees, and 718 Doctoral degrees. | Based on 36 Reviews |
Read more: University of California-San Diego Reviews
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| 8 | University of California-Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara, CA |
University of California-Santa Barbara offers 256 Degree programs. It's a large public university in a mid sized suburb. In 2015, 6,773 students graduated with students earning 5,786 Bachelor's degrees, 537 Master's degrees, 364 Doctoral degrees, and 86 Certificates degrees. | Based on 52 Reviews | ||
| 9 | Santa Clara University | Santa Clara, CA |
Santa Clara University offers 152 Degree programs. It's a medium sized private university in a mid sized city. In 2015, 3,059 students graduated with students earning 1,648 Bachelor's degrees, 1,046 Master's degrees, 226 Doctoral degrees, and 139 Certificates degrees. | Based on 20 Reviews |
Read more: Santa Clara University Reviews
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| 10 | University of California-Irvine | Irvine, CA |
University of California-Irvine offers 311 Degree programs. It's a large public university in a mid sized city. In 2015, 9,629 students graduated with students earning 7,055 Bachelor's degrees, 1,681 Master's degrees, 636 Doctoral degrees, and 257 Certificates degrees. | Based on 16 Reviews |
Read more: University of California-Irvine Reviews
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Best Community Colleges in California
| Rank | School Name | Location | Description | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | De Anza College | Cupertino, CA |
De Anza College offers 124 Degree programs. It's a very large public college in a small city. In 2015, 2,374 students graduated with students earning 1,703 Associate's degrees, and 671 Certificates degrees. |
Read more: De Anza College Reviews
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| 2 | Foothill College | Los Altos Hills, CA |
Foothill College offers 104 Degree programs. It's a large public college in a large suburb. In 2015, 1,461 students graduated with students earning 916 Associate's degrees, and 545 Certificates degrees. |
Read more: Foothill College Reviews
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| 3 | MiraCosta College | Oceanside, CA |
MiraCosta College offers 162 Degree programs. It's a large public college in a large suburb. In 2015, 2,799 students graduated with students earning 1,533 Certificates degrees, and 1,266 Associate's degrees. |
Read more: MiraCosta College Reviews
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| 4 | Santa Monica College | Santa Monica, CA |
Santa Monica College offers 89 Degree programs. It's a very large public college in a small city. In 2015, 3,764 students graduated with students earning 2,240 Associate's degrees, and 1,524 Certificates degrees. |
Read more: Santa Monica College Reviews
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| 5 | Santa Rosa Junior College | Santa Rosa, CA |
Santa Rosa Junior College offers 213 Degree programs. It's a very large public college in a mid sized city. In 2015, 5,736 students graduated with students earning 3,780 Certificates degrees, and 1,956 Associate's degrees. |
Read more: Santa Rosa Junior College Reviews
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| 6 | Cypress College | Cypress, CA |
Cypress College offers 130 Degree programs. It's a large public college in a large suburb. In 2015, 1,925 students graduated with students earning 974 Associate's degrees, and 951 Certificates degrees. |
Read more: Cypress College Reviews
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| 7 | College of the Canyons | Santa Clarita, CA |
College of the Canyons offers 85 Degree programs. It's a large public college in a large suburb. In 2015, 2,029 students graduated with students earning 1,366 Associate's degrees, and 663 Certificates degrees. |
Read more: College of the Canyons Reviews
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| 8 | El Camino Community College District | Torrance, CA |
El Camino Community College District offers 158 Degree programs. It's a very large public college in a large suburb. In 2015, 2,508 students graduated with students earning 2,019 Associate's degrees, and 489 Certificates degrees. |
Read more: El Camino Community College District Reviews
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| 9 | Orange Coast College | Costa Mesa, CA |
Orange Coast College offers 179 Degree programs. It's a very large public college in a mid sized city. In 2015, 3,830 students graduated with students earning 2,040 Associate's degrees, and 1,790 Certificates degrees. |
Read more: Orange Coast College Reviews
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| 10 | Pasadena City College | Pasadena, CA |
Pasadena City College offers 150 Degree programs. It's a very large public college in a mid sized city. In 2015, 4,043 students graduated with students earning 3,201 Associate's degrees, and 842 Certificates degrees. | Based on 4 Reviews |
Read more: Pasadena City College Reviews
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List of all Colleges in California
| School Logo | School Name | Average tuition | Student Teacher Ratio | Enrolled Students |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Stanford University Stanford, CA |
5/5
|
6 : 1 | 16,980 |
|
University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA |
5/5
|
16 : 1 | 43,401 |
|
California Institute of Technology Pasadena, CA |
5/5
|
7 : 1 | 2,255 |
|
University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA |
3/5
|
21 : 1 | 38,189 |
|
University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA |
3/5
|
12 : 1 | 41,908 |
|
|
Pepperdine University Malibu, CA |
5/5
|
16 : 1 | 7,632 |
|
|
University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA |
3/5
|
15 : 1 | 32,906 |
|
University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA |
3/5
|
24 : 1 | 23,497 |
|
|
Santa Clara University Santa Clara, CA |
5/5
|
14 : 1 | 8,680 |
|
|
University of California-Irvine Irvine, CA |
3/5
|
17 : 1 | 30,836 |
|
University of California-Davis Davis, CA |
3/5
|
15 : 1 | 35,186 |
|
Claremont McKenna College Claremont, CA |
5/5
|
8 : 1 | 1,349 |
|
Occidental College Los Angeles, CA |
5/5
|
11 : 1 | 2,023 |
|
Pomona College Claremont, CA |
5/5
|
8 : 1 | 1,663 |
|
University of San Diego San Diego, CA |
5/5
|
15 : 1 | 8,251 |
|
Chapman University Orange, CA |
5/5
|
14 : 1 | 8,305 |
|
Harvey Mudd College Claremont, CA |
5/5
|
8 : 1 | 825 |
|
University of San Francisco San Francisco, CA |
5/5
|
15 : 1 | 10,797 |
|
Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles, CA |
5/5
|
13 : 1 | 9,392 |
|
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA |
3/5
|
23 : 1 | 20,944 |
|
University of California-Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, CA |
3/5
|
27 : 1 | 17,868 |
|
University of the Pacific Stockton, CA |
5/5
|
12 : 1 | 6,281 |
|
San Diego State University San Diego, CA |
2/5
|
31 : 1 | 34,254 |
|
University of California-Riverside Riverside, CA |
3/5
|
24 : 1 | 21,385 |
|
California State University-Long Beach Long Beach, CA |
2/5
|
27 : 1 | 37,446 |