The Best Value California Colleges

Best Value Colleges in California for 2025

Explore the colleges that provide the best value for your money in California based on academic quality, outcomes, net price and financial aid. The rankings are calculated using ratings from the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges ranking factored against the typical net price paid by students - to identify the colleges that offer the best deals. Leading the list for 2025 as the overall best value college in California is Stanford University with a 10 out of 10 academic rating for a comparatively affordable $17,998 average net price. The highest value public state college is University of California Los Angeles. Learn how the Best Value Colleges are calculated and ranked on our methodology page.
California Public Private 4 year

57 results

Vanguard University of Southern California
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V
Costa Mesa, CA
 

Vanguard University of Southern California

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#55 Best Value 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 San Marcos
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C
San Marcos, CA

California State University San Marcos

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#56 Best Value 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

#57 Best Value 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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