Top Rated California Public Colleges

The Best Public Colleges in California for 2024

These are the top ranked public four-year colleges in California as ranked by CollegeSimply. Leading the rankings for 2024 as the best public college in California is University of California Los Angeles. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.
California Public 4 year

26 results

University of California Los Angeles
Connect Me
C
Los Angeles, CA

University of California Los Angeles

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in America

  • 46,430enrollment
  • $16,999net price
  • 9%acceptance rate
  • 1300-1530SAT range
  • 29-35ACT range
  • 3.92Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of California Berkeley
Connect Me
C
Berkeley, CA

University of California Berkeley

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in America

  • 45,307enrollment
  • $19,257net price
  • 11%acceptance rate
  • 1310-1530SAT range
  • 30-35ACT range
  • 3.87Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of California San Diego
Connect Me
C
La Jolla, CA

University of California San Diego

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in America

  • 42,006enrollment
  • $16,111net price
  • 24%acceptance rate
  • 1270-1480SAT range
  • 28-34ACT range
  • 3.82Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of California Irvine
Connect Me
C
Irvine, CA

University of California Irvine

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in America

  • 35,937enrollment
  • $14,033net price
  • 21%acceptance rate
  • 1230-1430SAT range
  • 26-33ACT range
  • 3.75Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of California Davis
Connect Me
C
Davis, CA

University of California Davis

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in America

  • 39,679enrollment
  • $17,385net price
  • 37%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1400SAT range
  • 25-33ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of California Santa Barbara
Connect Me
C
Santa Barbara, CA

University of California Santa Barbara

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#19 Best Public Universities in America

  • 26,420enrollment
  • $16,874net price
  • 26%acceptance rate
  • 1230-1460SAT range
  • 28-34ACT range
  • 3.82Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

Compare Calculate my chances 
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
Connect Me
C
San Luis Obispo, CA

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in California

  • 22,000enrollment
  • $19,184net price
  • 30%acceptance rate
  • 1220-1410SAT range
  • 26-32ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of California Santa Cruz
Connect Me
C
Santa Cruz, CA

University of California Santa Cruz

Public 4 Year

6 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in California

  • 19,478enrollment
  • $17,975net price
  • 47%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1360SAT range
  • 25-33ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of California Riverside
Connect Me
C
Riverside, CA

University of California Riverside

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in California

  • 26,809enrollment
  • $14,487net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1280SAT range
  • 22-31ACT range
  • 3.84Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

Compare Calculate my chances 
San Diego State University
Connect Me
S
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in California

  • 37,402enrollment
  • $13,017net price
  • 39%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1300SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.82Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

Compare Calculate my chances 
California State University Long Beach
Connect Me
C
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in California

  • 38,973enrollment
  • $9,346net price
  • 40%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1240SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

Compare Calculate my chances 
California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Connect Me
C
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in California

  • 27,503enrollment
  • $12,480net price
  • 55%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1250SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.69Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

Compare Calculate my chances 
San Jose State University
Connect Me
S
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#13 Best Public Universities in California

  • 35,751enrollment
  • $14,219net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1240SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.35Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Dec 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of California Merced
Connect Me
C
Merced, CA

University of California Merced

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#14 Best Public Universities in California

  • 9,103enrollment
  • $13,549net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 960-1140SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.55Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

Compare Calculate my chances 
California State University Chico
Connect Me
C
Chico, CA

California State University Chico

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Public Universities in California

  • 14,183enrollment
  • $15,517net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 970-1170SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA

Applications Due Dec 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Sonoma State University
Connect Me
S
Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#16 Best Public Universities in California

  • 6,637enrollment
  • $15,507net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 950-1150SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
California State University Fullerton
Connect Me
C
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#17 Best Public Universities in California

  • 40,386enrollment
  • $7,925net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1180SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.77Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

Compare Calculate my chances 
San Francisco State University
Connect Me
S
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#18 Best Public Universities in California

  • 25,282enrollment
  • $13,267net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 930-1130SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

Compare Calculate my chances