California Private Colleges

List of Private Colleges and Universities in California

There are 111 private colleges and universities in California enrolling 308,575 students. Explore the list below to find the private college match for you. Private colleges are usually smaller in size, more expensive than public schools and often academically rigorous. If you feel you may have difficulty fitting into the large class sizes which are common on many public campuses, take a look at California private colleges.  California is home to popular private schools like Stanford University, University of Southern California, Pepperdine University and University of San Francisco.


111 results

University of La Verne
L
La Verne, CA

University of La Verne

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#21 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 5,662enrollment
  • $25,103net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 970-1303SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

Claremont McKenna College
C
Claremont, CA

Claremont McKenna College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#18 Best Colleges in America

  • 1,389enrollment
  • $28,701net price
  • 10%acceptance rate
  • 1440-1550SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
  • 3.89Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 5

Scripps College
S
Claremont, CA

Scripps College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 1,099enrollment
  • $43,923net price
  • 28%acceptance rate
  • 1390-1510SAT range
  • 32-34ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Whittier College
W
Whittier, CA

Whittier College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#19 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 1,192enrollment
  • $28,368net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1340SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Westmont College
W
Santa Barbara, CA
 

Westmont College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 1,284enrollment
  • $33,112net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1280-1458SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

Biola University
B
La Mirada, CA

Biola University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 5,387enrollment
  • $31,522net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 1105-1365SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Concordia University Irvine
C
Irvine, CA

Concordia University Irvine

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#26 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 3,744enrollment
  • $29,508net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1260SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Notre Dame de Namur University
N
Belmont, CA

Notre Dame de Namur University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

 

  • 201enrollment
  • -net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.1Estimated Avg GPA

California Lutheran University
C
Thousand Oaks, CA

California Lutheran University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#22 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 3,615enrollment
  • $30,416net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1320SAT range
  • 26-30ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

Mount St. Mary's College
M
Los Angeles, CA

Mount St. Mary's College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#27 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 2,440enrollment
  • $28,717net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 900-1110SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

Life Pacific College
L
San Dimas, CA

Life Pacific College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

 

  • 500enrollment
  • $22,395net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 930-1085SAT range
  • 16-25ACT range
  • 2.91Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

Saint Marys College of California
S
Moraga, CA

Saint Marys College of California

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 2,765enrollment
  • $32,129net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1253SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Menlo College
M
Atherton, CA
 

Menlo College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

 

  • 800enrollment
  • $29,151net price
  • 62%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.3Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 1

Vanguard University of Southern California
V
Costa Mesa, CA
 

Vanguard University of Southern California

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#30 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 2,256enrollment
  • $24,279net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 980-1200SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Soka University of America
S
Aliso Viejo, CA

Soka University of America

Private 4 Year

18 reviews

 

  • 455enrollment
  • $17,928net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 1240-1440SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Fresno Pacific University
F
Fresno, CA

Fresno Pacific University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#28 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 3,032enrollment
  • $15,255net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 970-1240SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

La Sierra University
L
Riverside, CA
 

La Sierra University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#29 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 1,614enrollment
  • $25,076net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 880-1140SAT range
  • 18-28ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

Woodbury University
W
Burbank, CA
 

Woodbury University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

 

  • 943enrollment
  • $32,182net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA