Best California Colleges

Ranked list of Colleges and Universities in California for 2024

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 312 colleges and universities in California enrolling 2,399,742 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 Los Angeles.

Local college options can be explored in Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose and San Francisco or other cities.

California Public Private For-Profit 4 year 2 year

312 results

List of the Best California Colleges

San Joaquin Valley College Modesto
S
Salida, California
 

San Joaquin Valley College Modesto

Private 2 Year

0 reviews

 

  • 556enrollment
  • $20,172net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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Expression College for Digital Arts
E
Emeryville, CA
 

Expression College for Digital Arts

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

 

  • 253enrollment
  • -net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary
Connect Me
S
Oakland, CA
 

SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

 

  • 662enrollment
  • $19,700net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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San Joaquin Valley College Online
S
Visalia, California
 

San Joaquin Valley College Online

Private 2 Year

0 reviews

 

  • 954enrollment
  • -net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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San Joaquin Valley College Rancho Cordova
S
Rancho Cordova, California
 

San Joaquin Valley College Rancho Cordova

Private 2 Year

0 reviews

 

  • 189enrollment
  • $23,834net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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West Hills College Lemoore
W
Lemoore, CA
 

West Hills College Lemoore

Public 2 Year

0 reviews

 

  • 3,845enrollment
  • $12,480net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

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University of the West
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T
Rosemead, CA
 

University of the West

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

 

  • 164enrollment
  • $19,028net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 2.43Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 15

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Trident University International
T
Cypress, CA
 

Trident University International

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

 

  • 6,861enrollment
  • -net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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Taft University System
T
Santa Ana, CO
 

Taft University System

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

 

  • 526enrollment
  • -net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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International Professional School of Bodywork
I
San Diego, CA
 

International Professional School of Bodywork

Private 2 Year

0 reviews

 

  • 144enrollment
  • $21,498net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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Woodland Community College
W
Woodland, CA
 

Woodland Community College

Public 2 Year

0 reviews

 

  • 3,441enrollment
  • $6,687net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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The Chicago School of Professional Psychology at Los Angeles
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C
Los Angeles, CA
 

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology at Los Angeles

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

 

  • 3,326enrollment
  • $39,401net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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Providence Christian College
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P
Pasadena, CA
 

Providence Christian College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

 

  • 136enrollment
  • $25,416net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

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San Joaquin Valley College Hesperia
S
Hesperia, California
 

San Joaquin Valley College Hesperia

Private 2 Year

0 reviews

 

  • 374enrollment
  • $24,444net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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Homestead Schools
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H
Torrance, CA
 

Homestead Schools

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

 

  • 180enrollment
  • $15,207net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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Horizon College San Diego
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H
San Diego, CA
 

Horizon College San Diego

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

 

  • 49enrollment
  • $25,310net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Aug 29

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West Coast University Orange County
W
Anaheim, CA
 

West Coast University Orange County

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

 

  • 4,475enrollment
  • $27,933net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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West Coast University Ontario
W
Ontario, CA
 

West Coast University Ontario

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

 

  • 2,579enrollment
  • $42,293net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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