The Best Colleges with High Acceptance Rates in California

Top Colleges that are Easy to Get Into

Getting into a good college doesn't need to be difficult. There are many colleges that are highly rated yet accept most students who apply. These four-year colleges all have acceptance rates over 75%. You will have an easy time getting accepted if your GPA, SAT and ACT scores meet their admission criteria. These are colleges ranked by using the methodology for the CollegeSimply.com Best Colleges rankings.

See also, popular colleges with high acceptance rates and the highest acceptance rate colleges in California.

California High Acceptance % Public Private 4 year

28 results

Westmont College
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W
Santa Barbara, CA
 

Westmont College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

82% Acceptance Rate

#13 Best Private Colleges in California

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

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University of the Pacific
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T
Stockton, CA

University of the Pacific

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

93% Acceptance Rate

#14 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 6,277enrollment
  • $28,164net price
  • 1120-1423SAT range
  • 25-33ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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University of Redlands
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R
Redlands, CA

University of Redlands

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

82% Acceptance Rate

#16 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 3,460enrollment
  • $28,157net price
  • 1113-1278SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

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Saint Marys College of California
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S
Moraga, CA

Saint Marys College of California

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

88% Acceptance Rate

#17 Best Private Colleges in California

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

Applications Due Jan 15

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Azusa Pacific University
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A
Azusa, CA
 

Azusa Pacific University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

87% Acceptance Rate

#18 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 7,169enrollment
  • $26,666net price
  • 980-1240SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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Whittier College
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W
Whittier, CA

Whittier College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

75% Acceptance Rate

#19 Best Private Colleges in California

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

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Point Loma Nazarene University
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P
San Diego, CA

Point Loma Nazarene University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

82% Acceptance Rate

#20 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 4,319enrollment
  • $34,933net price
  • 1170-1350SAT range
  • 22-30ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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California Lutheran University
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C
Thousand Oaks, CA

California Lutheran University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

87% Acceptance Rate

#22 Best Private Colleges in California

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

Applications Due Jan 1

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Otis College of Art and Design
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O
Los Angeles, CA

Otis College of Art and Design

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

83% Acceptance Rate

#23 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 1,312enrollment
  • $48,198net price
  • 1130-1360SAT range
  • 20-29ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

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Dominican University of California
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D
San Rafael, CA

Dominican University of California

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

93% Acceptance Rate

#24 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 1,877enrollment
  • $49,907net price
  • 1088-1236SAT range
  • 23-25ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

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

Mount St. Mary's College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

76% Acceptance Rate

#27 Best Private Colleges in California

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

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San Jose State University
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S
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

77% Acceptance Rate

#13 Best Public Universities in California

  • 35,751enrollment
  • $14,219net price
  • 1010-1240SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.35Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Dec 15

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Fresno Pacific University
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F
Fresno, CA

Fresno Pacific University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

75% Acceptance Rate

#28 Best Private Colleges in California

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

Applications Due Aug 1

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University of California Merced
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C
Merced, CA

University of California Merced

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

89% Acceptance Rate

#14 Best Public Universities in California

  • 9,103enrollment
  • $13,549net price
  • 960-1140SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.55Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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La Sierra University
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L
Riverside, CA
 

La Sierra University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

92% Acceptance Rate

#29 Best Private Colleges in California

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

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California State University Chico
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C
Chico, CA

California State University Chico

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

95% Acceptance Rate

#15 Best Public Universities in California

  • 14,183enrollment
  • $15,517net price
  • 970-1170SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA

Applications Due Dec 15

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Vanguard University of Southern California
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V
Costa Mesa, CA
 

Vanguard University of Southern California

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

75% Acceptance Rate

#30 Best Private Colleges in California

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

Applications Due Aug 1

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Sonoma State University
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S
Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

94% Acceptance Rate

#16 Best Public Universities in California

  • 6,637enrollment
  • $15,507net price
  • 950-1150SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

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