Best Colleges in California + Full List of Schools

It's one of the most selective universities in the country. With a 3.68% acceptance rate for the Class of 2026, it's not easy to get into Stanford University. But if you do get in, you can benefit from attending the best college in California. 

From its Palo Alto campus, Stanford links San Francisco with Silicon Valley. Founded in 1885, today, the private university enrolls over 17,000 students. Undergrads can choose from over 65 majors, while grad students can enroll in nearly 200 programs. 

Stanford fully covers tuition for students from families with incomes under $150,000 and covers tuition plus room and board for those with an income below $100,000.

The founding member of the University of California (UC) system dates back to 1868. At the University of California, Berkeley, you can earn a top-ranked degree at an affordable in-state tuition rate. 

History abounds on the UC Berkeley campus. Even the school's colors trace their roots back to 1873, with blue representing the California sky and Pacific Ocean and gold for the Golden State. Today, UC Berkeley offers over 350 degree-granting programs to its 35,000 students. The public university also boasts one of the country's largest college library systems, with 32 libraries housing over 13 million volumes.

Pomona is California's top-ranked liberal arts college. Pomona College — part of the Claremont Colleges — dates back to 1887. Its 1,800 students can choose from nearly 50 majors. With an average class size of 13, Pomona also encourages close relationships with faculty. 

From its tree-lined campus 35 miles from Los Angeles, Pomona educates students on a liberal arts model. Over 60% of Pomona students conduct research with faculty and participate in study-abroad programs. 

Any of the Claremont Colleges, which include Scripps College and Harvey Mudd College, could easily appear on a list of the best colleges in California. Pomona gets the nod as the founding member of the Claremont Colleges. 

This public school boasts the largest undergraduate enrollment of any UC campus. The University of California, Los Angeles welcomes 31,600 undergrads and over 14,000 grad students to its programs. Around a third of undergrads are first-generation college students, and a similar number receive Pell Grants.

UCLA offers over 125 majors. The school's quarter system means you take more classes each year, which helps undecided majors find the best fit. Outside of the classroom, you can join over 1,000 student clubs and organizations, attend a local film screening, or watch the Bruins compete.

It's one of the top-ranked technology institutes in the world. The California Institute of Technology, better known as Caltech, also enrolls a small number of students on its 124-acre campus in Pasadena. 

Around 1,000 undergrads and 1,400 grad students attend Caltech, which reports a three-to-one student-to-faculty ratio. That faculty includes 46 Nobel Prize winners, who teach students in a rigorous, collaborative environment. You can choose from 28 majors or 30 graduate programs at Caltech. 

Over half of undergrads receive need-based aid to cover costs. Caltech is committed to meeting the demonstrated financial need of all students.

Santa Barbara is known as the American Riviera for its weather, architecture, and art. And at the University of California Santa Barbara, you can attend a top-ranked university for an affordable price. 

The sprawling, ocean-front campus boasts its own beach, a unique feature for a top-ranked university. UC Santa Barbara offers over 200 areas of study to its 26,000 students. Undergrads participate in research projects and creative opportunities. In particular, the institution offers research opportunities in the social sciences, engineering, natural sciences, and humanities.

Considered one of the top 15 research universities in the world, the University of California, San Diego is a great place to earn an undergraduate degree. 

Overlooking the Pacific Ocean on 1,200 acres of coastal woodland, UC San Diego offers more than 140 majors in its 12 divisions and schools. The institution also houses the world-renowned Scripps Institution of Oceanography. 

What are the most popular majors at UC San Diego? Biology, psychology, economics, and math rank at the top of the list.

Orange County's coastal hills are home to one of the state's best colleges. Founded in 1965, the University of California Irvine is one of the younger members of the state's public university system. Today, UCI enrolls over 37,000 students and offers more than 220 degrees. It also pumps $8 billion into the state's economy.

If you're looking for a unique mascot, UCI has Peter the Anteater. But even more importantly, the university reports a 94% one-year retention rate, showing that students want to return to UCI.

Ever visited the Los Angeles Downtown Arts and Education Corridor? It's home to the University of Southern California, a private research institution in the heart of L.A. USC stands out for its arts, business, and technology programs. Around 49,000 students attend the university, which reports an admission rate of 12%. 

USC boasts a large financial aid budget, awarding over $640 million in scholarships and aid. The university's programs guarantee tuition-free attendance for those from families making $80,000 or less.

You've probably seen its campus on screen. Clueless and NCIS were both filmed at the school that once enrolled Barack Obama. But Occidental College is best known for its liberal arts education. At Oxy, you'll choose from over 40 majors. Students also participate in field research and experiential learning opportunities. 

Plus, life at Oxy continues outside of the classroom. In fact, one in four students participates in the athletics program. The 120-acre campus offers a refuge from the excitement of Los Angeles. And Oxy commits to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need, including for undocumented students.