237 colleges · federal data

Colleges in California

California has 237 colleges in our data: 122 four-year colleges (33 public) and 115 two-year colleges. The median four-year college costs $25,071 a year after grants and graduates 61% of its students.

Best colleges in California by outcomes

Four-year colleges in California with the highest outcome score, which blends graduation rate (45%), earnings 10 years after entry (35%) and net price (20%).

#	College	Outcome score	Graduation rate	Earnings after 10 yrs	Avg net price
1	Stanford UniversityStanford, CA	95	92%	$125,340	$12,307
2	University of California-BerkeleyBerkeley, CA	93	94%	$100,212	$14,538
3	University of California-Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA	91	93%	$88,581	$14,659
4	University of California-San DiegoLa Jolla, CA	90	86%	$96,197	$14,794
5	University of California-DavisDavis, CA	89	86%	$86,999	$14,318
6	University of California-IrvineIrvine, CA	89	87%	$83,432	$13,866
7	California Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoSan Luis Obispo, CA	87	87%	$96,304	$18,832
8	Pomona CollegeClaremont, CA	86	92%	$84,281	$18,978
9	University of California-Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara, CA	85	84%	$82,568	$16,807
10	Claremont McKenna CollegeClaremont, CA	83	90%	$127,532	$26,039

Cheapest 4-year colleges

Lowest average net price, graduation cohort of 50+

California State University-Los Angeles$2,385 net · 55% grad
California State University-Stanislaus$3,565 net · 52% grad
California State University-San Bernardino$3,946 net · 53% grad
California State University-Bakersfield$4,001 net · 48% grad
California State University-Fullerton$5,115 net · 68% grad

Hardest to get into

Lowest acceptance rates

California Institute of Technology2.6% admitted · $8,509 net
Minerva University3% admitted · net
Stanford University3.6% admitted · $12,307 net
Pomona College7.1% admitted · $18,978 net
University of California-Los Angeles9% admitted · $14,659 net

Easiest to get into

Highest acceptance rates with a 50%+ graduation rate

California State University-Stanislaus98% admitted · 52% grad
California State University-Monterey Bay97% admitted · 63% grad
San Francisco State University96% admitted · 50% grad
California State University-Fresno95% admitted · 58% grad
California State University-San Marcos95% admitted · 55% grad

Highest earnings

Median earnings 10 years after entry

California Institute of Technology$166,642 earnings · $8,509 net
Harvey Mudd College$164,248 earnings · $39,347 net
Samuel Merritt University$151,150 earnings · net
Claremont McKenna College$127,532 earnings · $26,039 net
Stanford University$125,340 earnings · $12,307 net

All 122 four-year colleges in California

Click a heading to sort.

College	Type	Undergrads	Acceptance rate	Avg net price	Graduation rate	Earnings after 10 yrs
Academy of Art UniversitySan Francisco, CA	Private for-profit 4-year	3,587	Open	$41,747	33%	$44,567
American Medical Sciences CenterGlendale, CA	Private for-profit 4-year	365	Open	$41,467	100%	$30,594
American University of Health SciencesSignal Hill, CA	Private for-profit 4-year	351	50%	n/a	n/a	$113,922
Arizona College of Nursing-OntarioOntario, CA	Private for-profit 4-year	380	100%	n/a	n/a	$41,223
Art Center College of DesignPasadena, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	2,017	75%	$48,389	81%	$75,975
Azusa Pacific UniversityAzusa, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	2,759	88%	$22,597	63%	$71,595
Bethesda UniversityAnaheim, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	205	Open	$10,963	19%	$51,202
Biola UniversityLa Mirada, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	3,474	74%	$32,530	69%	$64,126
Cal Poly Maritime AcademyVallejo, CA	Public 4-year	804	95%	$17,793	58%	$105,475
California Aeronautical UniversityBakersfield, CA	Private for-profit 4-year	347	Open	$46,310	41%	$46,345
California Baptist UniversityRiverside, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	8,179	85%	$24,138	60%	$67,633
California College of the ArtsSan Francisco, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	990	91%	$41,109	64%	$58,957
California Institute of TechnologyPasadena, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	987	2.6%	$8,509	90%	$166,642
California Institute of the ArtsValencia, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	860	32%	$49,996	63%	$45,380
California Lutheran UniversityThousand Oaks, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	2,296	76%	$26,445	69%	$77,620
California Miramar UniversitySan Diego, CA	Private for-profit 4-year	135	19%	$15,988	43%	n/a
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoSan Luis Obispo, CA	Public 4-year	21,996	31%	$18,832	87%	$96,304
California State Polytechnic University-HumboldtArcata, CA	Public 4-year	5,612	98%	$13,751	44%	$54,882
California State Polytechnic University-PomonaPomona, CA	Public 4-year	25,042	75%	$9,404	68%	$77,464
California State University-BakersfieldBakersfield, CA	Public 4-year	8,577	94%	$4,001	48%	$62,381
California State University-Channel IslandsCamarillo, CA	Public 4-year	5,013	95%	$8,534	55%	$66,328
California State University-ChicoChico, CA	Public 4-year	13,631	93%	$14,157	60%	$70,012
California State University-Dominguez HillsCarson, CA	Public 4-year	12,538	93%	$7,244	42%	$62,587
California State University-East BayHayward, CA	Public 4-year	9,809	97%	$6,858	49%	$73,868
California State University-FresnoFresno, CA	Public 4-year	21,605	95%	$5,418	58%	$62,756
California State University-FullertonFullerton, CA	Public 4-year	38,546	91%	$5,115	68%	$69,015
California State University-Long BeachLong Beach, CA	Public 4-year	35,924	46%	$9,426	70%	$69,554
California State University-Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA	Public 4-year	19,562	91%	$2,385	55%	$62,555
California State University-Monterey BaySeaside, CA	Public 4-year	6,819	97%	$13,861	63%	$63,891
California State University-NorthridgeNorthridge, CA	Public 4-year	32,691	94%	$6,346	57%	$63,721
California State University-SacramentoSacramento, CA	Public 4-year	28,350	94%	$11,186	54%	$69,014
California State University-San BernardinoSan Bernardino, CA	Public 4-year	15,023	94%	$3,946	53%	$61,951
California State University-San MarcosSan Marcos, CA	Public 4-year	14,877	95%	$10,939	55%	$67,217
California State University-StanislausTurlock, CA	Public 4-year	8,385	98%	$3,565	52%	$65,560
Chamberlain University-CaliforniaRancho Cordova, CA	Private for-profit 4-year	751	80%	$46,658	n/a	$96,897
Chapman UniversityOrange, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	7,478	65%	$46,708	83%	$80,694
Charles R Drew University of Medicine and ScienceLos Angeles, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	282	39%	$31,400	36%	$79,596
Claremont McKenna CollegeClaremont, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	1,388	9.6%	$26,039	90%	$127,532
Concordia University-IrvineIrvine, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	1,536	66%	$29,761	47%	$72,184
Dominican University of CaliforniaSan Rafael, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	1,114	84%	$35,567	73%	$90,053
EDvance CollegeSan Francisco, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	201	100%	n/a	n/a	n/a
Fresno Pacific UniversityFresno, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	1,544	64%	$17,491	49%	$66,140
GnomonNorth Hollywood, CA	Private for-profit 4-year	294	42%	$57,379	90%	$124,464
Golden Gate UniversitySan Francisco, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	259	n/a	n/a	n/a	$90,346
Harvey Mudd CollegeClaremont, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	921	13%	$39,347	93%	$164,248
Hope International UniversityFullerton, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	564	33%	$31,029	53%	$51,254
Humphreys UniversityStockton, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	149	Open	$13,473	67%	$45,846
John Paul the Great Catholic UniversityEscondido, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	286	80%	$24,156	66%	$53,787
La Sierra UniversityRiverside, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	1,116	92%	$22,767	52%	$65,403
Laguna College of Art and DesignLaguna Beach, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	746	94%	$50,349	61%	$49,168
Life Pacific UniversitySan Dimas, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	456	96%	$26,892	49%	$43,561
Lincoln UniversityOakland, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	204	Open	n/a	80%	$77,205
Lionel UniversityCarpinteria, CA	Private for-profit 4-year	370	Open	$46,466	100%	n/a
Loma Linda UniversityLoma Linda, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	909	n/a	$25,018	n/a	$99,540
Los Angeles College of MusicPasadena, CA	Private for-profit 4-year	227	88%	$42,853	47%	$44,742
Los Angeles Film SchoolHollywood, CA	Private for-profit 4-year	5,472	Open	$48,481	37%	$37,849
Los Angeles Pacific UniversitySan Dimas, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	1,483	Open	$28,427	28%	n/a
Loyola Marymount UniversityLos Angeles, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	7,094	45%	$50,518	79%	$86,034
Menlo CollegeAtherton, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	752	69%	$32,324	52%	$76,858
Minerva UniversitySan Francisco, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	637	3%	n/a	93%	n/a
Mount Saint Mary's UniversityLos Angeles, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	1,719	73%	$27,235	56%	$78,572
National UniversitySan Diego, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	10,794	Open	$24,008	43%	$73,988
New York Film AcademyBurbank, CA	Private for-profit 4-year	849	Open	$38,975	51%	$43,578
Newschool of Architecture and DesignSan Diego, CA	Private for-profit 4-year	182	100%	$51,582	56%	$75,045
Northeastern University OaklandOakland, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	464	17%	$30,622	n/a	$99,371
Occidental CollegeLos Angeles, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	1,877	44%	$37,470	79%	$79,660
Otis College of Art and DesignLos Angeles, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	1,223	82%	$50,943	58%	$70,469
Pacific Oaks CollegePasadena, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	312	34%	n/a	n/a	$53,848
Pepperdine UniversityMalibu, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	3,553	63%	$48,065	78%	$89,410
Pitzer CollegeClaremont, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	1,227	25%	$36,135	83%	$72,270
Point Loma Nazarene UniversitySan Diego, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	3,188	84%	$40,555	77%	$68,713
Pomona CollegeClaremont, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	1,666	7.1%	$18,978	92%	$84,281
Reach UniversityOakland, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	1,946	100%	$22,412	n/a	n/a
SUM Bible College and Theological SeminaryEl Dorado Hills, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	198	41%	$24,260	86%	$41,407
Saint Mary's College of CaliforniaMoraga, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	1,947	87%	$32,200	67%	$83,501
Samuel Merritt UniversityOakland, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	718	n/a	n/a	n/a	$151,150
San Diego State UniversitySan Diego, CA	Public 4-year	35,377	36%	$13,243	78%	$73,494
San Francisco Bay UniversityFremont, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	126	96%	n/a	n/a	n/a
San Francisco Conservatory of MusicSan Francisco, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	226	55%	$48,678	60%	$47,172
San Francisco State UniversitySan Francisco, CA	Public 4-year	18,639	96%	$9,803	50%	$73,299
San Jose State UniversitySan Jose, CA	Public 4-year	27,601	85%	$14,241	68%	$83,493
Santa Clara UniversitySanta Clara, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	6,552	48%	$50,570	87%	$117,193
Scripps CollegeClaremont, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	1,113	38%	$29,998	85%	$84,025
Simpson UniversityRedding, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	809	86%	$28,219	35%	$62,250
Soka University of AmericaAliso Viejo, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	484	43%	$16,383	88%	$66,071
Sonoma State UniversityRohnert Park, CA	Public 4-year	5,166	93%	$10,759	55%	$71,264
Southern California Institute of ArchitectureLos Angeles, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	236	77%	$28,753	86%	$73,810
Stanbridge UniversityIrvine, CA	Private for-profit 4-year	2,643	10%	$25,124	51%	$67,293
Stanford UniversityStanford, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	7,554	3.6%	$12,307	92%	$125,340
The Chicago School at Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	337	46%	n/a	n/a	$60,280
The Master's University and SeminarySanta Clarita, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	1,622	84%	$33,777	58%	$58,794
Thomas Aquinas CollegeSanta Paula, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	566	83%	$30,972	84%	$59,595
Touro University WorldwideLos Alamitos, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	454	Open	$12,436	37%	$77,590
United States UniversitySandy Springs, CA	Private for-profit 4-year	153	Open	n/a	0%	$72,456
University of California-BerkeleyBerkeley, CA	Public 4-year	33,068	11%	$14,538	94%	$100,212
University of California-DavisDavis, CA	Public 4-year	32,253	42%	$14,318	86%	$86,999
University of California-IrvineIrvine, CA	Public 4-year	30,197	29%	$13,866	87%	$83,432
University of California-Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA	Public 4-year	33,475	9%	$14,659	93%	$88,581
University of California-MercedMerced, CA	Public 4-year	8,372	91%	$11,583	68%	$69,352
University of California-RiversideRiverside, CA	Public 4-year	22,593	76%	$12,672	75%	$72,974
University of California-San DiegoLa Jolla, CA	Public 4-year	34,948	27%	$14,794	86%	$96,197
University of California-Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara, CA	Public 4-year	23,113	33%	$16,807	84%	$82,568
University of California-Santa CruzSanta Cruz, CA	Public 4-year	17,940	66%	$18,549	74%	$73,362
University of La VerneLa Verne, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	3,050	71%	$20,523	61%	$74,115
University of Massachusetts GlobalAliso Viejo, CA	Public 4-year	4,491	Open	$35,957	0%	$68,286
University of RedlandsRedlands, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	2,049	83%	$30,924	65%	$80,659
University of San DiegoSan Diego, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	5,671	52%	$29,539	81%	$93,069
University of San FranciscoSan Francisco, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	5,287	62%	$30,496	66%	$94,613
University of Silicon ValleySan Jose, CA	Private for-profit 4-year	455	51%	$34,100	53%	$59,124
University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	20,443	9.8%	$33,056	90%	$103,420
University of the PacificStockton, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	3,204	71%	$24,186	73%	$88,053
University of the PeoplePasadena, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	22,688	Open	n/a	36%	n/a
Vanguard University of Southern CaliforniaCosta Mesa, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	1,933	62%	$23,231	55%	$62,456
West Coast University-Anaheim-Orange CountyAnaheim, CA	Private for-profit 4-year	3,192	Open	$36,240	25%	$104,344
West Coast University-OntarioOntario, CA	Private for-profit 4-year	2,671	Open	$47,072	56%	$104,344
Westcliff UniversityIrvine, CA	Private for-profit 4-year	2,363	73%	$30,505	61%	n/a
Westmont CollegeSanta Barbara, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	1,302	77%	$29,343	68%	$70,327
Whittier CollegeWhittier, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	764	81%	$24,940	55%	$68,254
William Jessup UniversityRocklin, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	1,294	93%	$26,418	48%	$60,855
Woodbury UniversityBurbank, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	779	82%	$44,337	45%	$65,896
World Mission UniversityLos Angeles, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	207	Open	$15,820	59%	$24,300
Yeshiva Ohr Elchonon Chabad West Coast Talmudical SeminaryLos Angeles, CA	Private nonprofit 4-year	163	58%	$15,235	27%	$35,665

Community and two-year colleges in California

Highest outcome scores: Diablo Valley College (89), West Valley College (87), Canada College (86), Ohlone College (84), Santiago Canyon College (82).

College	Type	Undergrads	Avg net price	Graduation rate	Earnings after 10 yrs
American River CollegeSacramento, CA	Public 2-year	25,621	$5,730	39%	$44,544
Antelope Valley Community College DistrictLancaster, CA	Public 2-year	11,534	$85	33%	$39,944
Asher CollegeSacramento, CA	Private for-profit 2-year	649	$20,632	77%	$47,699
Bakersfield CollegeBakersfield, CA	Public 2-year	17,280	$4,330	20%	$41,011
Berkeley City CollegeBerkeley, CA	Public 2-year	4,456	$1,987	42%	$48,574
Butte CollegeOroville, CA	Public 2-year	8,890	$4,734	47%	$44,807
CBD CollegeLos Angeles, CA	Private nonprofit 2-year	1,581	$25,702	72%	$49,527
Cabrillo CollegeAptos, CA	Public 2-year	8,002	$17,735	41%	$48,956
California Career CollegeCanoga Park, CA	Private for-profit 2-year	190	$55,316	100%	$51,210
California Indian Nations CollegePalm Desert, CA	Public 2-year	142	n/a	67%	n/a
Canada CollegeRedwood City, CA	Public 2-year	5,175	$365	49%	$57,796
Career Networks InstituteSanta Ana, CA	Private for-profit 2-year	1,133	$288,621	86%	$54,373
Casa Loma College-Los AngelesSherman Oaks, CA	Private nonprofit 2-year	758	$37,420	44%	$53,301
Cerro Coso Community CollegeRidgecrest, CA	Public 2-year	3,171	$12,913	31%	$42,042
Chaffey CollegeRancho Cucamonga, CA	Public 2-year	18,132	$24,504	34%	$45,674
Clovis Community CollegeFresno, CA	Public 2-year	7,956	$2,122	51%	n/a
Coastline Community CollegeFountain Valley, CA	Public 2-year	7,393	$12,259	37%	$51,338
College of AlamedaAlameda, CA	Public 2-year	4,487	$294	31%	$47,627
College of MarinKentfield, CA	Public 2-year	4,042	$23,388	40%	$49,787
College of San MateoSan Mateo, CA	Public 2-year	7,977	n/a	53%	$60,507
College of the CanyonsSanta Clarita, CA	Public 2-year	15,832	$19,542	43%	$52,411
College of the RedwoodsEureka, CA	Public 2-year	3,829	$20,206	35%	$40,798
College of the SiskiyousWeed, CA	Public 2-year	1,190	$18,459	39%	$43,783
Columbia CollegeSonora, CA	Public 2-year	1,984	$9,054	28%	$39,958
Compton CollegeCompton, CA	Public 2-year	3,142	$22,662	28%	$41,664
Contra Costa CollegeSan Pablo, CA	Public 2-year	5,203	$25,657	37%	$45,857
Copper Mountain Community CollegeJoshua Tree, CA	Public 2-year	1,323	$9,404	32%	$40,986
Cosumnes River CollegeSacramento, CA	Public 2-year	14,023	$3,676	43%	$46,541
Crafton Hills CollegeYucaipa, CA	Public 2-year	5,687	$11,754	34%	$47,391
Cuyamaca CollegeEl Cajon, CA	Public 2-year	7,177	$7,178	34%	$45,171
De Anza CollegeCupertino, CA	Public 2-year	15,264	$3,801	67%	$62,175
Diablo Valley CollegePleasant Hill, CA	Public 2-year	15,358	$710	55%	$56,684
El Camino Community College DistrictTorrance, CA	Public 2-year	19,210	$13,761	40%	$47,561
Evergreen Valley CollegeSan Jose, CA	Public 2-year	7,688	$9,375	44%	$55,874
Feather River Community College DistrictQuincy, CA	Public 2-year	1,828	$7,537	54%	$40,728
Folsom Lake CollegeFolsom, CA	Public 2-year	9,414	$4,339	51%	$47,048
Fremont UniversityCerritos, CA	Private for-profit 2-year	157	$36,821	45%	$43,085
Fullerton CollegeFullerton, CA	Public 2-year	17,121	$1,302	42%	$49,216
Gavilan CollegeGilroy, CA	Public 2-year	4,786	$22,074	45%	$49,087
Glendale Career CollegeGlendale, CA	Private for-profit 2-year	896	$52,725	43%	$46,721
Glendale Career College-North-West College-BakersfieldBakersfield, CA	Private for-profit 2-year	493	$52,725	44%	$46,721
Glendale Career College-North-West College-MFSONWest Covina, CA	Private for-profit 2-year	290	$50,349	n/a	$46,721
Glendale Community CollegeGlendale, CA	Public 2-year	10,509	$9,554	41%	$46,476
Golden West CollegeHuntington Beach, CA	Public 2-year	9,034	n/a	51%	$50,592
Grossmont CollegeEl Cajon, CA	Public 2-year	12,163	$3,900	39%	$45,404
Hartnell CollegeSalinas, CA	Public 2-year	9,453	n/a	39%	$49,016
Imperial Valley CollegeImperial, CA	Public 2-year	7,652	$1,562	45%	$40,691
Irvine Valley CollegeIrvine, CA	Public 2-year	10,286	$21,874	58%	$53,719
Lake Tahoe Community CollegeSouth Lake Tahoe, CA	Public 2-year	3,660	$10,673	56%	$44,569
Laney CollegeOakland, CA	Public 2-year	6,842	$9,315	30%	$42,812
Las Positas CollegeLivermore, CA	Public 2-year	7,299	$22,259	54%	$57,379
Lassen Community CollegeSusanville, CA	Public 2-year	1,741	$13,459	30%	$42,005
Latin American Bible InstituteLa Puente, CA	Private nonprofit 2-year	111	$12,248	63%	n/a
Laurus CollegeSan Luis Obispo, CA	Private for-profit 2-year	1,116	$26,056	33%	$40,324
Lemoore CollegeLemoore, CA	Public 2-year	3,373	$11,802	49%	$46,575
Los Angeles City CollegeLos Angeles, CA	Public 2-year	11,198	$4,875	32%	$42,194
Los Angeles County College of Nursing and Allied HealthLos Angeles, CA	Public 2-year	204	n/a	n/a	$121,652
Los Angeles Harbor CollegeWilmington, CA	Public 2-year	6,694	$2,680	41%	$47,368
Los Angeles Mission CollegeSylmar, CA	Public 2-year	7,999	$3,881	24%	$45,697
Los Angeles Pierce CollegeWoodland Hills, CA	Public 2-year	13,436	$3,150	47%	$47,028
Los Angeles Southwest CollegeLos Angeles, CA	Public 2-year	3,706	$10,836	28%	$37,913
Los Medanos CollegePittsburg, CA	Public 2-year	7,320	$25,231	46%	$49,834
Madera Community CollegeMadera, CA	Public 2-year	4,808	$1,879	37%	n/a
Mendocino CollegeUkiah, CA	Public 2-year	2,870	$11,640	27%	$42,256
MiraCosta CollegeOceanside, CA	Public 2-year	10,278	$5,146	41%	$49,887
Mission CollegeSanta Clara, CA	Public 2-year	5,784	$4,223	44%	$56,661
Modesto Junior CollegeModesto, CA	Public 2-year	15,109	$5,954	29%	$45,551
Monterey Peninsula CollegeMonterey, CA	Public 2-year	5,624	$35,126	42%	$49,579
Moorpark CollegeMoorpark, CA	Public 2-year	12,082	n/a	42%	$52,317
Moreno Valley CollegeMoreno Valley, CA	Public 2-year	9,346	$26,725	38%	$45,741
Mt San Antonio CollegeWalnut, CA	Public 2-year	26,140	$1,676	45%	$49,600
Mt San Jacinto Community College DistrictSan Jacinto, CA	Public 2-year	15,259	$8,198	40%	$43,175
Napa Valley CollegeNapa, CA	Public 2-year	3,813	$3,152	35%	$55,399
National Polytechnic CollegeLakewood, CA	Private for-profit 2-year	516	$35,305	70%	$36,845
Norco CollegeNorco, CA	Public 2-year	8,779	$27,120	40%	$48,582
North-West College-San DiegoSan Diego, CA	Private for-profit 2-year	636	$52,050	n/a	$46,721
Ohlone CollegeFremont, CA	Public 2-year	7,099	$6,828	56%	$61,853
Oxnard CollegeOxnard, CA	Public 2-year	6,240	n/a	39%	$46,485
PCI CollegeCerritos, CA	Private for-profit 2-year	149	$37,951	69%	$31,215
Pacific CollegeCosta Mesa, CA	Private for-profit 2-year	225	$24,579	n/a	$74,972
Pacific Union CollegeAngwin, CA	Private nonprofit 2-year	805	$25,891	52%	$72,023
Pasadena City CollegePasadena, CA	Public 2-year	21,466	$16,993	48%	$47,494
Platt College-AnaheimAnaheim, CA	Private for-profit 2-year	498	$22,685	51%	$49,629
Platt College-OntarioOntario, CA	Private for-profit 2-year	500	$23,246	36%	$49,629
Platt College-RiversideRiverside, CA	Private for-profit 2-year	413	$21,508	50%	$49,629
Porterville CollegePorterville, CA	Public 2-year	2,834	$3,071	34%	$41,156
Riverside City CollegeRiverside, CA	Public 2-year	18,346	$24,678	41%	$44,956
Sacramento City CollegeSacramento, CA	Public 2-year	17,657	$5,713	34%	$45,109
Saddleback CollegeMission Viejo, CA	Public 2-year	17,684	$23,913	51%	$51,222
San Bernardino Valley CollegeSan Bernardino, CA	Public 2-year	12,234	$17,782	32%	$43,912
San Diego City CollegeSan Diego, CA	Public 2-year	10,441	$18,693	24%	$44,127
San Diego Mesa CollegeSan Diego, CA	Public 2-year	16,098	$21,767	42%	$50,947
San Diego Miramar CollegeSan Diego, CA	Public 2-year	11,271	$21,008	40%	$53,737
San Francisco Film SchoolSan Francisco, CA	Private for-profit 2-year	127	$31,768	51%	n/a
San Joaquin Delta CollegeStockton, CA	Public 2-year	15,781	$2,451	34%	$46,256
San Joaquin Valley College-Rancho CordovaRancho Cordova, CA	Private for-profit 2-year	224	$27,631	89%	$43,313
San Jose City CollegeSan Jose, CA	Public 2-year	7,105	$15,965	38%	$52,460
Santa Barbara City CollegeSanta Barbara, CA	Public 2-year	9,889	$2,684	32%	$53,616
Santa Monica CollegeSanta Monica, CA	Public 2-year	21,440	$1,693	23%	$46,589
Santiago Canyon CollegeOrange, CA	Public 2-year	10,579	$2,040	48%	$52,421
Shasta CollegeRedding, CA	Public 2-year	6,128	$7,225	24%	$43,608
Sierra CollegeRocklin, CA	Public 2-year	14,122	$27,774	44%	$48,499
Skyline CollegeSan Bruno, CA	Public 2-year	7,620	$616	47%	$62,578
Smith Chason CollegeLos Angeles, CA	Private for-profit 2-year	2,447	$35,227	68%	$60,886
Solano Community CollegeFairfield, CA	Public 2-year	8,061	$2,905	34%	$47,449
Southwestern CollegeChula Vista, CA	Public 2-year	18,614	$5,663	39%	$47,535
Taft CollegeTaft, CA	Public 2-year	3,556	$4,362	34%	$44,265
Universal Technical Institute of California IncRancho Cucamonga, CA	Private for-profit 2-year	1,553	$28,050	79%	$62,466
Universal Technical Institute of Northern California IncSacramento, CA	Private for-profit 2-year	1,214	$31,551	73%	$53,540
Universal Technical Institute-Southern CaliforniaLong Beach, CA	Private for-profit 2-year	1,701	$31,974	68%	$62,466
Ventura CollegeVentura, CA	Public 2-year	10,150	n/a	41%	$46,592
Victor Valley CollegeVictorville, CA	Public 2-year	4,210	$1,182	n/a	$39,827
West Valley CollegeSaratoga, CA	Public 2-year	6,416	$1,033	53%	$55,251
Woodland Community CollegeWoodland, CA	Public 2-year	3,154	$4,005	41%	$44,947
Yuba CollegeMarysville, CA	Public 2-year	4,779	$691	40%	$43,464

Trade schools in California

California also has 255 trade schools. Compare them, and programs like welding, HVAC and nursing, on the trade schools in California page.

Colleges by city

Los Angeles (17)San Diego (10)San Francisco (9)Sacramento (6)Pasadena (6)Riverside (5)Claremont (5)Irvine (5)Oakland (5)Bakersfield (4)San Jose (4)

Frequently asked questions

How many colleges are in California?

California has 237 colleges that mostly award associate or bachelor's degrees: 122 four-year and 115 two-year schools.

What is the best college in California?

By our outcome score, which combines graduation rate, earnings and net price, Stanford University ranks first among four-year colleges in California, with a score of 95. The best college for you depends on cost, fit and what you want to study.

What is the cheapest 4-year college in California?

California State University-Los Angeles has the lowest average net price among four-year colleges in California with a graduation cohort of at least 50 students: $2,385 a year after grants.

What is the hardest college to get into in California?

California Institute of Technology, which admitted 2.6% of applicants for fall 2024.

How much is in-state tuition in California?

The median in-state tuition and fees at public four-year colleges in California is $8,846 for 2025-26. Housing, food and books add to that, so check each school's net price.

Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, data release of October 15, 2026. What each figure means and the year it covers.