Best Colleges in California

One of the most prestigious and academically rigorous universities in the United States, Stanford welcomes about 16,000 students each year. Unlike many universities, Stanford enrolls more graduate than undergraduate students.

Stanford offers nearly 70 undergraduate majors and 200 graduate programs. The private university provides research opportunities across all departments, with 18 separate research institutes, such as the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and the Stanford Humanities Center.

With an acceptance rate of roughly 4% — the lowest in the country — Stanford considers undergraduate applications holistically. No specific GPA minimums, test scores, or other factors guarantee admission. All undergraduate applicants must submit official transcripts, two letters of recommendation, a counselor recommendation, and ACT or SAT scores. The university recommends that fine arts applicants also submit a portfolio. Graduate admission requirements vary widely depending on the program.

A private liberal arts college founded in 1887 — and the founding member of the Claremont Colleges Consortium — Pomona serves just over 1,700 students per year.

The undergraduate-only college offers more than 50 majors, from dance and Middle Eastern studies to physics and astronomy. Students can work with professors on various research projects, both locally and around the world.

Pomona's applicant acceptance rate stands at just 7%. The admissions committee considers a broad variety of factors, including an applicant's GPA, depth of high school curriculum, recommendations, essays, and other student qualities. Additionally, Pomona's commitment to diversity includes accepting undocumented students and actively recruiting rural, first-generation, low-income, and other underrepresented student groups.

Established as a vocational school in 1891, Caltech enjoys a strong reputation for its science and engineering programs. The university — based in Pasadena — enrolls just over 2,200 students annually.

Caltech offers 28 undergraduate and 30 graduate majors across various scientific fields. Research forms a core part of the Caltech experience. Its summer undergraduate research fellowship program enjoys immense popularity.

A highly competitive university with an applicant acceptance rate of 6%, Caltech reviews applications holistically. Undergraduate admission requirements include official transcripts, essays, ACT or SAT scores (waived through fall 2022), teacher recommendations from one science or math instructor and one humanities or social science instructor, and a secondary school report. Graduate admission requirements include official transcripts, a resume, a statement of purpose, and three letters of recommendation.

Established in 1946 and part of the Claremont Colleges Consortium, CMC educates over 1,300 students each year.

This mostly undergraduate college offers 33 undergraduate majors in a variety of areas, including literature and organismal biology. The school offers its science majors through the W.M. Keck Science Department, Pitzer College, and Scripps College. CMC also offers several accelerated master's degree programs.

With an applicant acceptance rate of 10%, CMC follows a holistic application review process. Admission requirements include official transcripts, supplemental essays, two teacher recommendations, and a recommendation and school report from a high school counselor. Optional application components include ACT or SAT scores, a two-minute video, and a personal interview.

Founded in 1868 and the first member of the University of California system, Berkeley enrolls nearly 44,000 students annually.

Berkeley oversees 115 different undergraduate majors, such as Celtic studies, ecosystem management and forestry, and nuclear engineering. It also hosts more than 100 graduate options, such as a Ph.D. in anthropology, a master of arts in folklore, and a master of engineering in mechanical engineering.

Berkeley's 17% acceptance rate draws a diverse student body from around the world. The holistic review process considers factors like an applicant's GPA (minimum 3.0 for in-state applicants or 3.4 for out-of-state applicants), advanced coursework (such as AP or IB classes), and extracurricular achievements. Graduate admission requirements include a minimum 3.0 GPA, plus specific requirements that vary by program.

Founded in 1880 and the oldest private research university in California, USC welcomes more than 48,000 students every year.

More than 200 separate undergraduate degree programs loosely group into arts and humanities; social sciences; natural sciences; and engineering, computer, quantitative, and technical sciences. Example programs include a BFA in animation and digital arts and a BS in human security and geospatial Intelligence. USC also offers many master's and doctoral degrees across its graduate and professional schools.

Accepting only 11% of applicants, USC considers various factors in its admissions decisions. Most accepted students rank in the top 10% of their graduating class, with median standardized test scores in the top 5%. The test-optional university requires transcripts, a writing supplement, and a letter of recommendation. Specific programs may set additional requirements, such as a portfolio, audition, or resume.

UCLA — established in 1882 as the southern campus of the California Normal School — became the second member of the University of California system in 1919. Today, the university serves more than 45,000 students annually.

UCLA offers more than 125 undergraduate majors across its liberal arts college and various professional schools. Examples include a BS in climate science, a BA in world arts and culture, and a BS in aerospace engineering. The university also offers 40 graduate programs, including options like a master's in genetic counseling and a doctorate in theater and performance studies.

As the most applied-to university in the country, UCLA only accepts 12% of applicants. Its holistic undergraduate review process considers an applicant's college-prep curriculum, personal qualities, potential ability to contribute to campus life, and extracurricular achievements.

A private science and engineering college founded in 1955 — and now operating as part of the Claremont Colleges Consortium — Harvey Mudd enrolls approximately 900 undergraduate students each year.

The college offers seven majors, including mathematical and computational biology. It also provides joint majors in chemistry and biology, computer science and mathematics, and mathematics and physics. Students can pursue research opportunities throughout their time at Harvey Mudd, taking advantage of cutting-edge facilities such as the Lab for Autonomous and Intelligent Robotics and Donnelly Laser Physics Lab.

With an applicant acceptance rate of 14%, this test-optional college requires aspiring students to submit official transcripts, a school report and counselor recommendation, two teacher recommendations, and writing samples.

Pitzer — a private college founded in 1963 — operates as part of the Claremont Colleges Consortium and welcomes roughly 1,100 students annually.

This all-undergraduate institution offers nearly 40 majors, including gender and feminist studies, mathematical economics, and molecular biology. It emphasizes environmental, social behavioral, and natural science studies.

Pitzer accepts 14% of applicants. The test-optional college requires applicants to submit official transcripts, a teacher recommendation, a school report, and a writing supplement. The school looks for well-rounded applicants with strong academic and extracurricular records who have experience in leadership positions and demonstrate a commitment to Pitzer's values, including the importance of social responsibility and environmental sustainability.

A private women's college and a member of the Claremont Colleges Consortium, Scripps enrolls about 1,100 students each year.

The school offers more than 50 majors, with options like Jewish studies, molecular biology, and science management. Scripps also oversees a popular study abroad and global education program that allows students to spend a semester in one of almost 50 countries; about 60% of students at Scripps take advantage of this opportunity.

Applicants must submit official transcripts, a school report and counselor recommendation, and two teacher recommendations. Scripps also requires applicants to submit a personal essay and sit for an interview. The college reviews applications holistically, considering both academics and extracurricular activities.