The Best California Colleges

The Best Colleges in California for 2025

These are the top ranked public and private four-year colleges in California as ranked by CollegeSimply. Leading the list for 2025 as the best overall college in California is Stanford University. The top rated public state college is University of California Los Angeles. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.


57 results

Pepperdine University
P
Malibu, CA

Pepperdine University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 9,545enrollment
  • $52,216net price
  • 50%acceptance rate
  • 1250-1450SAT range
  • 26-32ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
C
San Luis Obispo, CA

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in California

  • 22,485enrollment
  • $16,888net price
  • 30%acceptance rate
  • 1220-1410SAT range
  • 26-32ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

University of the Pacific
T
Stockton, CA

University of the Pacific

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 6,755enrollment
  • $30,975net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1420SAT range
  • 23-31ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

University of Redlands
R
Redlands, CA

University of Redlands

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 3,192enrollment
  • $28,054net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1078-1323SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

Azusa Pacific University
A
Azusa, CA
 

Azusa Pacific University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#16 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 6,487enrollment
  • $26,117net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 994-1314SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

University of California Santa Cruz
C
Santa Cruz, CA

University of California Santa Cruz

Public 4 Year

6 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in California

  • 19,764enrollment
  • $16,526net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1360SAT range
  • 25-33ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

Point Loma Nazarene University
P
San Diego, CA

Point Loma Nazarene University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 4,494enrollment
  • $36,370net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1410SAT range
  • 22-30ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

Biola University
B
La Mirada, CA

Biola University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#18 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 5,296enrollment
  • $30,510net price
  • 60%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1360SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

University of California Riverside
C
Riverside, CA

University of California Riverside

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in California

  • 26,426enrollment
  • $13,533net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1280SAT range
  • 22-31ACT range
  • 3.84Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

Saint Marys College of California
S
Moraga, CA

Saint Marys College of California

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#19 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 2,775enrollment
  • $31,615net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1253SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Dominican University of California
D
San Rafael, CA

Dominican University of California

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#20 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 2,026enrollment
  • $51,292net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1291SAT range
  • 22-30ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

San Diego State University
S
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in California

  • 39,241enrollment
  • $19,500net price
  • 34%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1300SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.82Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

California Lutheran University
C
Thousand Oaks, CA

California Lutheran University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#21 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 3,413enrollment
  • $27,080net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1134-1320SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

Otis College of Art and Design
O
Los Angeles, CA

Otis College of Art and Design

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#22 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 1,284enrollment
  • $49,440net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1360SAT range
  • 20-29ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

University of La Verne
L
La Verne, CA

University of La Verne

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#23 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 5,596enrollment
  • $27,216net price
  • 48%acceptance rate
  • 970-1303SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

Concordia University Irvine
C
Irvine, CA

Concordia University Irvine

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#24 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 3,481enrollment
  • $29,413net price
  • 60%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1260SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

William Jessup University
W
Rocklin, CA
 

William Jessup University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#25 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 1,484enrollment
  • $28,171net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1230SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA

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

Mount St. Mary's College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#26 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 2,308enrollment
  • $27,434net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 900-1110SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA