Best California Colleges
With its desirable climate, dynamic cities, huge economy and reputation the global leader in technology, California is a highly desirable state for students to choose to attend college. The state is home to world-renowned research universities like Stanford and CalTech. The University of California (UC) system has ten campuses serving over a quarter of a million students. The UC system is home to the extremely competitive and rival colleges UCLA and UC Berkeley. The CSU system is the largest public four-year university system in the US and enrolls nearly a half million students per year. Also significant is the California Community Colleges system, the largest of its kind, which serves 2.1 million students through its 2-year programs at 116 colleges. Notable highly rated small liberal arts schools like Pomona, Harvey Mudd and Claremont McKenna also call the Golden State home.
There are 278 colleges and universities in California enrolling 2,544,910 students. Explore the list of top colleges in California below to begin your college search. The CollegeSimply rankings are objective and data-driven in order to help you find good matches for you. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page. Whether you're searching for a good public, private or community college, this guide to universities in California offers a comprehensive view to the state's higher education options.
California is home to nationally ranked institutions like Stanford University, California Institute of Technology, Claremont McKenna College and Pomona College. The highest ranked college in California is Stanford University and the top rated public state college is University of California Berkeley.
Local college options can be explored in Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose and San Francisco or other cities.
List of the Best California Colleges
Presbyterian Theological Seminary in America
- Private 4 Year
- Santa Fe Springs, California
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A private Presbyterian seminary known for undergraduate theology and biblical studies. The suburban campus is located in Santa Fe Springs in Los Angeles County.
- SAT Range -
- Avg GPA NA
- Acceptance Rate 100%
- Net Price -
America Evangelical University
- Private 4 Year
- Gardena, California
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America Evangelical University is a private evangelical university known for undergraduate biblical studies and theology. The campus is in suburban Gardena in the Los Angeles area.
- SAT Range -
- Avg GPA NA
- Acceptance Rate 100%
- Net Price $18,070
The Chicago School at San Diego
- Private 4 Year
- San Diego, California
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The Chicago School at San Diego is a private university known for undergraduate psychology and behavioral sciences. The urban campus is based in San Diego.
- SAT Range -
- Avg GPA NA
- Acceptance Rate 100%
- Net Price -
Oak Valley College
- Private 4 Year
- Rialto, California
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- SAT Range -
- Avg GPA NA
- Acceptance Rate 100%
- Net Price $21,166
California Indian Nations College
- Public 2 Year
- Palm Desert, California
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California Indian Nations College is a tribal college known for undergraduate Native American studies. The campus is in Palm Desert in California's Coachella Valley.
- SAT Range -
- Avg GPA NA
- Acceptance Rate 100%
- Net Price $17,737
Pathways College
- Private 4 Year
- Phoenix, California
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- SAT Range -
- Avg GPA NA
- Acceptance Rate 100%
- Net Price -
Agape College of Business and Science
- Private 4 Year
- Fresno, California
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Agape is a private college known for undergraduate programs in business administration and medical assisting. The small urban campus in Fresno focuses on career-oriented associate degrees.
- SAT Range -
- Avg GPA NA
- Acceptance Rate 100%
- Net Price $17,559
Madera Community College
- Public 2 Year
- Madera, California
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A public community college offering associate degrees and career programs in agriculture and nursing. The campus is located in the Central Valley city of Madera.
- SAT Range -
- Avg GPA NA
- Acceptance Rate 100%
- Net Price $7,155