Best California Colleges
California has 57 ranked four-year colleges, part of our national best colleges ranking. Rankings weigh admission scores, graduation rates, and selectivity using statistical data, not editorial picks.
Leading our 2027 rankings is Stanford University in Stanford, California, topping our list in California. The top rated public university is University of California Berkeley. Also highly ranked: California Institute of Technology, Claremont McKenna College and Pomona College.
Compare tuition, acceptance rates, and enrollment across the colleges below. See how rankings are calculated on our methodology page. Sort by tuition, acceptance rate, or enrollment to find the school that fits you.
California State University Northridge
- Public 4 Year
- Northridge, CA
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5.0 | 1 reviews
- Nov 30 application deadline
CSUN is a large public university known for undergraduate film and television, business, and education. The suburban campus lies in Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley.
- SAT Range 900-1110
- Avg GPA 3.38
- Acceptance Rate 93%
- Net Price $7,536
Hope International University
- Private 4 Year
- Fullerton, CA
-
| 0 reviews
- Aug 20 application deadline
Hope International is a private Christian university known for undergraduate ministry, biblical studies, and education. The suburban campus sits in Fullerton in Orange County.
- SAT Range 840-1220
- Avg GPA 3.26
- Acceptance Rate 33%
- Net Price $29,896
California State University Los Angeles
- Public 4 Year
- Los Angeles, CA
-
| 0 reviews
- Jan 19 application deadline
Cal State LA is a large public university known for undergraduate nursing, business, and criminal justice. The urban campus sits in the hills east of downtown Los Angeles.
- SAT Range 870-1060
- Avg GPA 3.31
- Acceptance Rate 91%
- Net Price $4,460