The Best Test Optional Colleges in California

Apply to colleges without SAT or ACT scores

These California colleges don't require students to submit SAT or ACT test scores with their applications. This is good news if you didn't take the test or received a low score. Remember, your GPA, high school activities, letters of recommendation and essays are even more important admission factors when you don't submit test scores.
California Test Optional Public Private 4 year

57 results

Fresno Pacific University
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F
Fresno, CA

Fresno Pacific University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#27 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 2,921enrollment
  • $15,668net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 970-1240SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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California State University Long Beach
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C
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in California

  • 40,278enrollment
  • $9,731net price
  • 47%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1240SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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University of California Merced
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Merced, CA

University of California Merced

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in California

  • 9,147enrollment
  • $13,232net price
  • 39%acceptance rate
  • 960-1140SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.55Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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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

#13 Best Public Universities in California

  • 36,062enrollment
  • $13,833net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1240SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.35Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Dec 15

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California State Polytechnic University Pomona
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C
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#14 Best Public Universities in California

  • 26,848enrollment
  • $11,898net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1250SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.69Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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Sonoma State University
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Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Public Universities in California

  • 5,990enrollment
  • $15,113net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 950-1150SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

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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

#28 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 2,219enrollment
  • $20,273net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 980-1200SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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California State University Chico
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C
Chico, CA

California State University Chico

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#16 Best Public Universities in California

  • 14,523enrollment
  • $15,187net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 970-1170SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA

Applications Due Dec 15

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La Sierra University
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L
Riverside, CA
 

La Sierra University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#29 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 1,611enrollment
  • $28,076net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 880-1140SAT range
  • 18-28ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

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California Baptist University
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C
Riverside, CA

California Baptist University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#30 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 11,407enrollment
  • $28,596net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 960-1150SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

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San Francisco State University
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S
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#17 Best Public Universities in California

  • 23,908enrollment
  • $13,353net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 930-1130SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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California State University Fullerton
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C
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#18 Best Public Universities in California

  • 41,962enrollment
  • $6,283net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1180SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.77Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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Humboldt State University
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H
Arcata, CA

Humboldt State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#19 Best Public Universities in California

  • 6,156enrollment
  • $13,837net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 970-1190SAT range
  • 17-25ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 30

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California State University San Marcos
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C
San Marcos, CA

California State University San Marcos

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#20 Best Public Universities in California

  • 15,431enrollment
  • $10,500net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 950-1130SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.32Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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California State University Monterey Bay
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C
Seaside, CA

California State University Monterey Bay

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#21 Best Public Universities in California

  • 6,742enrollment
  • $15,222net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 960-1160SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.45Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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California State University Sacramento
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C
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#22 Best Public Universities in California

  • 31,172enrollment
  • $11,183net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 930-1130SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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California State University Fresno
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C
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#23 Best Public Universities in California

  • 23,986enrollment
  • $7,303net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 890-1100SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.12Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Dec 15

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California State University Northridge
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C
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#24 Best Public Universities in California

  • 37,760enrollment
  • $8,222net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 900-1110SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.38Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

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