The idea of the best college or university is not an absolute scale that applies to every student or situation. For each student, the best school is one that meets their needs, preferences, and educational goals. When comparing schools, many educational experts and surveys use ranking factors including reputation to rate colleges. California, beyond doubt, has a wide range of schools that have high accreditation and excellent indicators of quality education. California schools are among the leading research universities in the world; they have produced historical achievements and graduates that have influenced the well-being of the entire nation.
The best colleges & universities should include large public institutions, well-established traditional private schools, and the emerging institutions that are part of a current wave of progressive education.
How Much Can You Make by Earning a Degree?
Salary data always lags a few years in the past as the collection process requires time after the close of a calendar year. One useful survey occurred for the calendar year 2023. The average salary in the state of California was about $76,900 in a scale that put the national average at $59,228. California ranked fifth in that survey among U.S. states. California salaries averaged about 23% above the national average according to the BLS California and National annual mean wage statistics. The national average increase in salary for persons with a bachelor’s degree over those without is 141%.
Education Level & National Average Median Compensation
| NO FORMAL EDUCATION | HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA | ASSOCIATE DEGREE | BACHELOR’S DEGREE | MASTER’S DEGREE | DOCTORAL DEGREE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $36,816* | $46,748* | $55,016* | $77,636* | $90,324* | $109,668* |
Top 25 Best Associate Degree Programs in California
1
Foothill College
Score: 69.25
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $1,565
- Out-of-State:$12,320
- Net Price: $9,665
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 100%
- Graduation Rate: 60%
- Total Enrollment: 12,931
- Undergrad Students: 12,931
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $48,800
- Student-to-faculty: 22:1
2
College of San Mateo
Score: 67.74
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $1,332
- Out-of-State:$11,384
- Net Price: $6,887
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 77%
- Graduation Rate: 57%
- Total Enrollment: 9,208
- Undergrad Students: 9,208
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $50,300
- Student-to-faculty: 25:1
3
Casa Loma College
Score: 67.62
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $42,556
- Out-of-State:$42,556
- Net Price: $26,780
- Acceptance Rate: 36%
- Retention Rate: 80%
- Graduation Rate: 63%
- Total Enrollment: 581
- Undergrad Students: 581
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $52,800
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
4
De Anza College
Score: 66.86
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $1,562
- Out-of-State:$12,317
- Net Price: $8,421
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 82%
- Graduation Rate: 68%
- Total Enrollment: 16,990
- Undergrad Students: 16,990
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $43,200
- Student-to-faculty: 24:1
5
Canada College
Score: 63.55
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $1,332
- Out-of-State:$9,508
- Net Price: $3,845
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 77%
- Graduation Rate: 49%
- Total Enrollment: 6,141
- Undergrad Students: 6,141
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $44,700
- Student-to-faculty: 26:1
6
Mission College
Score: 62.96
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $1,438
- Out-of-State:$12,220
- Net Price: $7,771
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 79%
- Graduation Rate: 53%
- Total Enrollment: 6,669
- Undergrad Students: 6,669
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $42,100
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
7
Shasta College
Score: 62.85
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $1,197
- Out-of-State:$8,277
- Net Price: $7,751
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: N/A
- Graduation Rate: 29%
- Total Enrollment: 8,081
- Undergrad Students: 8,081
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $70,700
- Student-to-faculty: 26:1
8
Irvine Valley College
Score: 61.74
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $1,156
- Out-of-State:$10,996
- Net Price: $5,189
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 77%
- Graduation Rate: 58%
- Total Enrollment: 11,994
- Undergrad Students: 11,994
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $39,300
- Student-to-faculty: 30:1
9
West Valley College
Score: 61.49
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $1,490
- Out-of-State:$8,702
- Net Price: $6,541
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 83%
- Graduation Rate: 52%
- Total Enrollment: 7,272
- Undergrad Students: 7,272
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $39,200
- Student-to-faculty: 21:1
10
Las Positas College
Score: 60.84
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $1,168
- Out-of-State:$8,176
- Net Price: $7,312
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 83%
- Graduation Rate: 48%
- Total Enrollment: 7,448
- Undergrad Students: 7,448
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $41,400
- Student-to-faculty: 23:1
11
Skyline College
Score: 58.36
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $1,332
- Out-of-State:$11,384
- Net Price: $4,652
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 74%
- Graduation Rate: 41%
- Total Enrollment: 9,428
- Undergrad Students: 9,428
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $41,500
- Student-to-faculty: 28:1
12
Santiago Canyon College
Score: 58.25
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $1,164
- Out-of-State:$9,612
- Net Price: $7,144
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 72%
- Graduation Rate: 47%
- Total Enrollment: 11,979
- Undergrad Students: 11,979
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $42,600
- Student-to-faculty: 34:1
13
Diablo Valley College
Score: 57.92
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $1,312
- Out-of-State:$9,012
- Net Price: $8,761
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 78%
- Graduation Rate: 46%
- Total Enrollment: 16,424
- Undergrad Students: 16,424
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $39,700
- Student-to-faculty: 24:1
14
Los Medanos College
Score: 57.4
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $1,312
- Out-of-State:$9,012
- Net Price: $8,413
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 75%
- Graduation Rate: 39%
- Total Enrollment: 8,230
- Undergrad Students: 8,230
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $42,300
- Student-to-faculty: 23:1
15
City College of San Francisco
Score: 57.36
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $1,696
- Out-of-State:$14,656
- Net Price: $12,130
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 62%
- Graduation Rate: 40%
- Total Enrollment: 17,808
- Undergrad Students: 17,808
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $47,200
- Student-to-faculty: 23:1
16
MTI College
Score: 57.23
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $17,000
- Out-of-State:$17,000
- Net Price: $19,926
- Acceptance Rate: 82%
- Retention Rate: 81%
- Graduation Rate: 74%
- Total Enrollment: 1,025
- Undergrad Students: 1,025
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $29,400
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
17
Ventura College
Score: 56.95
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $1,416
- Out-of-State:$8,179
- Net Price: $3,370
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 76%
- Graduation Rate: 43%
- Total Enrollment: 11,367
- Undergrad Students: 11,367
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $36,200
- Student-to-faculty: 27:1
18
Ohlone College
Score: 56.89
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $1,202
- Out-of-State:$8,714
- Net Price: $17,755
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 78%
- Graduation Rate: 55%
- Total Enrollment: 8,375
- Undergrad Students: 8,375
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $41,600
- Student-to-faculty: 26:1
19
College of the Canyons
Score: 56.78
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $1,176
- Out-of-State:$11,232
- Net Price: $4,652
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 74%
- Graduation Rate: 44%
- Total Enrollment: 17,439
- Undergrad Students: 17,439
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $35,900
- Student-to-faculty: 24:1
20
Mt. San Antonio College
Score: 56.54
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $1,364
- Out-of-State:$10,212
- Net Price: $5,186
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 78%
- Graduation Rate: 39%
- Total Enrollment: 28,742
- Undergrad Students: 28,742
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $37,800
- Student-to-faculty: 24:1
21
San Diego Miramar College
Score: 56.36
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $1,150
- Out-of-State:$9,094
- Net Price: $2,682
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 73%
- Graduation Rate: 48%
- Total Enrollment: 13,569
- Undergrad Students: 13,569
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $31,900
- Student-to-faculty: 25:1
22
Santa Ana College
Score: 56.14
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $1,180
- Out-of-State:$9,460
- Net Price: $6,914
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 100%
- Graduation Rate: 32%
- Total Enrollment: 26,073
- Undergrad Students: 26,073
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $40,800
- Student-to-faculty: 32:1
23
Gavilan College
Score: 55.88
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $1,506
- Out-of-State:$12,246
- Net Price: $4,607
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 75%
- Graduation Rate: 44%
- Total Enrollment: 5,484
- Undergrad Students: 5,484
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $34,100
- Student-to-faculty: 24:1
24
Chabot College
Score: 55.85
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $1,150
- Out-of-State:$8,686
- Net Price: $7,975
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 77%
- Graduation Rate: 41%
- Total Enrollment: 12,218
- Undergrad Students: 12,218
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $37,800
- Student-to-faculty: 23:1
25
MiraCosta College
Score: 55.34
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $1,152
- Out-of-State:$9,120
- Net Price: $7,972
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 86%
- Graduation Rate: 41%
- Total Enrollment: 11,707
- Undergrad Students: 11,707
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $35,000
- Student-to-faculty: 22:1
Top 25 Best Bachelor's Programs in California
1
Stanford University
Score: 92.21
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $62,484
- Out-of-State:$62,484
- Net Price: $17,998
- Acceptance Rate: 4%
- Retention Rate: 98%
- Graduation Rate: 93%
- Total Enrollment: 18,446
- Undergrad Students: 8,054
- Graduate Students: 10,392
- Grads Salary: $116,000
- Student-to-faculty: 6:1
2
California Institute of Technology
Score: 91.55
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $63,255
- Out-of-State:$63,255
- Net Price: $23,397
- Acceptance Rate: 3%
- Retention Rate: 98%
- Graduation Rate: 93%
- Total Enrollment: 2,463
- Undergrad Students: 1,023
- Graduate Students: 1,440
- Grads Salary: $117,000
- Student-to-faculty: 3:1
3
Harvey Mudd College
Score: 84.55
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $66,255
- Out-of-State:$66,255
- Net Price: $42,720
- Acceptance Rate: 13%
- Retention Rate: 97%
- Graduation Rate: 94%
- Total Enrollment: 949
- Undergrad Students: 949
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $116,000
- Student-to-faculty: 8:1
4
Pomona College
Score: 84.33
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $62,326
- Out-of-State:$62,326
- Net Price: $17,423
- Acceptance Rate: 7%
- Retention Rate: 96%
- Graduation Rate: 93%
- Total Enrollment: 1,664
- Undergrad Students: 1,664
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $94,000
- Student-to-faculty: 7:1
5
University of California-Berkeley
Score: 83.55
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,850
- Out-of-State:$45,627
- Net Price: $16,997
- Acceptance Rate: 12%
- Retention Rate: 97%
- Graduation Rate: 93%
- Total Enrollment: 45,699
- Undergrad Students: 33,078
- Graduate Students: 12,621
- Grads Salary: $97,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
6
Northwestern Polytechnic University
Score: 81.71
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,775
- Out-of-State:$8,775
- Net Price: $13,221
- Acceptance Rate: 69%
- Retention Rate: 81%
- Graduation Rate: 74%
- Total Enrollment: 328
- Undergrad Students: 62
- Graduate Students: 266
- Grads Salary: $110,000
- Student-to-faculty: 6:1
7
University of California-Los Angeles
Score: 81.49
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,747
- Out-of-State:$44,524
- Net Price: $15,166
- Acceptance Rate: 9%
- Retention Rate: 97%
- Graduation Rate: 93%
- Total Enrollment: 46,678
- Undergrad Students: 33,040
- Graduate Students: 13,638
- Grads Salary: $89,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
8
Claremont McKenna College
Score: 80.22
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $64,150
- Out-of-State:$64,150
- Net Price: $29,978
- Acceptance Rate: 11%
- Retention Rate: 96%
- Graduation Rate: 95%
- Total Enrollment: 1,384
- Undergrad Students: 1,381
- Graduate Students: 3
- Grads Salary: $92,000
- Student-to-faculty: 8:1
9
University of California-San Diego
Score: 79.48
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,265
- Out-of-State:$46,042
- Net Price: $13,293
- Acceptance Rate: 25%
- Retention Rate: 94%
- Graduation Rate: 88%
- Total Enrollment: 42,376
- Undergrad Students: 33,792
- Graduate Students: 8,584
- Grads Salary: $89,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
10
University of California-Irvine
Score: 78.36
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,237
- Out-of-State:$45,014
- Net Price: $14,647
- Acceptance Rate: 26%
- Retention Rate: 94%
- Graduation Rate: 86%
- Total Enrollment: 36,582
- Undergrad Students: 29,503
- Graduate Students: 7,079
- Grads Salary: $88,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
11
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,075
- Out-of-State:$30,995
- Net Price: $16,888
- Acceptance Rate: 30%
- Retention Rate: 95%
- Graduation Rate: 85%
- Total Enrollment: 22,485
- Undergrad Students: 21,559
- Graduate Students: 926
- Grads Salary: $88,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
12
University of California-Santa Barbara
Score: 76.77
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,965
- Out-of-State:$45,742
- Net Price: $15,283
- Acceptance Rate: 28%
- Retention Rate: 92%
- Graduation Rate: 85%
- Total Enrollment: 26,068
- Undergrad Students: 23,232
- Graduate Students: 2,836
- Grads Salary: $85,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
13
University of Southern California
Score: 76.19
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $68,237
- Out-of-State:$68,237
- Net Price: $41,496
- Acceptance Rate: 10%
- Retention Rate: 97%
- Graduation Rate: 92%
- Total Enrollment: 47,147
- Undergrad Students: 21,023
- Graduate Students: 26,124
- Grads Salary: $92,000
- Student-to-faculty: 9:1
14
University of California-Davis
Score: 75.95
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,247
- Out-of-State:$46,024
- Net Price: $17,315
- Acceptance Rate: 42%
- Retention Rate: 93%
- Graduation Rate: 85%
- Total Enrollment: 39,707
- Undergrad Students: 31,797
- Graduate Students: 7,910
- Grads Salary: $88,000
- Student-to-faculty: 21:1
15
Pitzer College
Score: 73.65
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $62,692
- Out-of-State:$62,692
- Net Price: $34,801
- Acceptance Rate: 17%
- Retention Rate: 94%
- Graduation Rate: 83%
- Total Enrollment: 1,204
- Undergrad Students: 1,204
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $88,000
- Student-to-faculty: 10:1
16
Santa Clara University
Score: 72.02
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $59,241
- Out-of-State:$59,241
- Net Price: $49,651
- Acceptance Rate: 44%
- Retention Rate: 94%
- Graduation Rate: 88%
- Total Enrollment: 9,340
- Undergrad Students: 6,249
- Graduate Students: 3,091
- Grads Salary: $96,000
- Student-to-faculty: 10:1
17
California State University Maritime Academy
Score: 71.67
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,672
- Out-of-State:$19,552
- Net Price: $16,081
- Acceptance Rate: 99%
- Retention Rate: 76%
- Graduation Rate: 67%
- Total Enrollment: 805
- Undergrad Students: 761
- Graduate Students: 44
- Grads Salary: $96,000
- Student-to-faculty: 10:1
18
San Diego State University
Score: 71.48
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,290
- Out-of-State:$20,170
- Net Price: $19,500
- Acceptance Rate: 34%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 78%
- Total Enrollment: 39,241
- Undergrad Students: 34,050
- Graduate Students: 5,191
- Grads Salary: $82,000
- Student-to-faculty: 22:1
19
University of California-Santa Cruz
Score: 71.2
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,560
- Out-of-State:$45,337
- Net Price: $16,526
- Acceptance Rate: 63%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 74%
- Total Enrollment: 19,764
- Undergrad Students: 17,812
- Graduate Students: 1,952
- Grads Salary: $86,000
- Student-to-faculty: 22:1
20
San Jose State University
Score: 70.79
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,992
- Out-of-State:$19,872
- Net Price: $13,833
- Acceptance Rate: 80%
- Retention Rate: 86%
- Graduation Rate: 65%
- Total Enrollment: 36,062
- Undergrad Students: 27,111
- Graduate Students: 8,951
- Grads Salary: $91,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
21
California State University-Long Beach
Score: 70.54
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,008
- Out-of-State:$18,888
- Net Price: $9,731
- Acceptance Rate: 47%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 70%
- Total Enrollment: 40,278
- Undergrad Students: 34,243
- Graduate Students: 6,035
- Grads Salary: $79,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
22
University of California-Riverside
Score: 70.04
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,170
- Out-of-State:$44,947
- Net Price: $13,533
- Acceptance Rate: 63%
- Retention Rate: 88%
- Graduation Rate: 77%
- Total Enrollment: 26,426
- Undergrad Students: 22,646
- Graduate Students: 3,780
- Grads Salary: $79,000
- Student-to-faculty: 23:1
23
Soka University of America
Score: 69.22
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $37,450
- Out-of-State:$37,450
- Net Price: $18,807
- Acceptance Rate: 70%
- Retention Rate: 92%
- Graduation Rate: 87%
- Total Enrollment: 476
- Undergrad Students: 464
- Graduate Students: 12
- Grads Salary: $66,000
- Student-to-faculty: 7:1
24
California State University-Fullerton
Score: 69.06
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,073
- Out-of-State:$18,953
- Net Price: $6,283
- Acceptance Rate: 87%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 69%
- Total Enrollment: 41,962
- Undergrad Students: 37,125
- Graduate Students: 4,837
- Grads Salary: $80,000
- Student-to-faculty: 22:1
25
University of San Diego
Score: 68.96
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $56,444
- Out-of-State:$56,444
- Net Price: $37,675
- Acceptance Rate: 47%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 82%
- Total Enrollment: 9,110
- Undergrad Students: 5,726
- Graduate Students: 3,384
- Grads Salary: $85,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
Top 25 Best Master's Programs in California
1
Stanford University
Score: 93.22
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $58,746
- Out-of-State:$58,746
- Net Price: $17,998
- Acceptance Rate: 4%
- Retention Rate: 98%
- Graduation Rate: 93%
- Total Enrollment: 18,446
- Undergrad Students: 8,054
- Graduate Students: 10,392
- Grads Salary: $116,000
- Student-to-faculty: 6:1
2
California Institute of Technology
Score: 92.55
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $60,816
- Out-of-State:$60,816
- Net Price: $23,397
- Acceptance Rate: 3%
- Retention Rate: 98%
- Graduation Rate: 93%
- Total Enrollment: 2,463
- Undergrad Students: 1,023
- Graduate Students: 1,440
- Grads Salary: $117,000
- Student-to-faculty: 3:1
3
University of California-Berkeley
Score: 84.4
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,264
- Out-of-State:$27,366
- Net Price: $16,997
- Acceptance Rate: 12%
- Retention Rate: 97%
- Graduation Rate: 93%
- Total Enrollment: 45,699
- Undergrad Students: 33,078
- Graduate Students: 12,621
- Grads Salary: $97,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
4
University of California-Los Angeles
Score: 82.42
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,264
- Out-of-State:$27,366
- Net Price: $15,166
- Acceptance Rate: 9%
- Retention Rate: 97%
- Graduation Rate: 93%
- Total Enrollment: 46,678
- Undergrad Students: 33,040
- Graduate Students: 13,638
- Grads Salary: $89,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
5
Claremont McKenna College
Score: 81.16
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $68,525
- Out-of-State:$68,525
- Net Price: $29,978
- Acceptance Rate: 11%
- Retention Rate: 96%
- Graduation Rate: 95%
- Total Enrollment: 1,384
- Undergrad Students: 1,381
- Graduate Students: 3
- Grads Salary: $92,000
- Student-to-faculty: 8:1
6
University of California-San Diego
Score: 80.35
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,264
- Out-of-State:$27,366
- Net Price: $13,293
- Acceptance Rate: 25%
- Retention Rate: 94%
- Graduation Rate: 88%
- Total Enrollment: 42,376
- Undergrad Students: 33,792
- Graduate Students: 8,584
- Grads Salary: $89,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
7
University of California-Irvine
Score: 79.22
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,264
- Out-of-State:$27,366
- Net Price: $14,647
- Acceptance Rate: 26%
- Retention Rate: 94%
- Graduation Rate: 86%
- Total Enrollment: 36,582
- Undergrad Students: 29,503
- Graduate Students: 7,079
- Grads Salary: $88,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
8
University of California-San Francisco
Score: 78.4
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,264
- Out-of-State:$27,366
- Net Price: N/A
- Acceptance Rate: 18%
- Retention Rate: 97%
- Graduation Rate: 93%
- Total Enrollment: 3,126
- Undergrad Students: N/A
- Graduate Students: 3,126
- Grads Salary: $119,000
- Student-to-faculty: N/A
9
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,176
- Out-of-State:$16,680
- Net Price: $16,888
- Acceptance Rate: 30%
- Retention Rate: 95%
- Graduation Rate: 85%
- Total Enrollment: 22,485
- Undergrad Students: 21,559
- Graduate Students: 926
- Grads Salary: $88,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
10
University of California-Santa Barbara
Score: 77.64
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,264
- Out-of-State:$27,366
- Net Price: $15,283
- Acceptance Rate: 28%
- Retention Rate: 92%
- Graduation Rate: 85%
- Total Enrollment: 26,068
- Undergrad Students: 23,232
- Graduate Students: 2,836
- Grads Salary: $85,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
11
University of Southern California
Score: 76.88
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $66,640
- Out-of-State:$66,640
- Net Price: $41,496
- Acceptance Rate: 10%
- Retention Rate: 97%
- Graduation Rate: 92%
- Total Enrollment: 47,147
- Undergrad Students: 21,023
- Graduate Students: 26,124
- Grads Salary: $92,000
- Student-to-faculty: 9:1
12
University of California-Davis
Score: 76.67
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,264
- Out-of-State:$27,366
- Net Price: $17,315
- Acceptance Rate: 42%
- Retention Rate: 93%
- Graduation Rate: 85%
- Total Enrollment: 39,707
- Undergrad Students: 31,797
- Graduate Students: 7,910
- Grads Salary: $88,000
- Student-to-faculty: 21:1
13
Santa Clara University
Score: 72.49
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $25,873
- Out-of-State:$25,873
- Net Price: $49,651
- Acceptance Rate: 44%
- Retention Rate: 94%
- Graduation Rate: 88%
- Total Enrollment: 9,340
- Undergrad Students: 6,249
- Graduate Students: 3,091
- Grads Salary: $96,000
- Student-to-faculty: 10:1
14
San Diego State University
Score: 72.09
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,176
- Out-of-State:$16,680
- Net Price: $19,500
- Acceptance Rate: 34%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 78%
- Total Enrollment: 39,241
- Undergrad Students: 34,050
- Graduate Students: 5,191
- Grads Salary: $82,000
- Student-to-faculty: 22:1
15
University of California-Santa Cruz
Score: 71.78
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,264
- Out-of-State:$27,366
- Net Price: $16,526
- Acceptance Rate: 63%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 74%
- Total Enrollment: 19,764
- Undergrad Students: 17,812
- Graduate Students: 1,952
- Grads Salary: $86,000
- Student-to-faculty: 22:1
16
San Jose State University
Score: 71.36
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,176
- Out-of-State:$16,680
- Net Price: $13,833
- Acceptance Rate: 80%
- Retention Rate: 86%
- Graduation Rate: 65%
- Total Enrollment: 36,062
- Undergrad Students: 27,111
- Graduate Students: 8,951
- Grads Salary: $91,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
17
California State University-Long Beach
Score: 71.29
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,176
- Out-of-State:$16,680
- Net Price: $9,731
- Acceptance Rate: 47%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 70%
- Total Enrollment: 40,278
- Undergrad Students: 34,243
- Graduate Students: 6,035
- Grads Salary: $79,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
18
University of California-Riverside
Score: 70.72
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,264
- Out-of-State:$27,366
- Net Price: $13,533
- Acceptance Rate: 63%
- Retention Rate: 88%
- Graduation Rate: 77%
- Total Enrollment: 26,426
- Undergrad Students: 22,646
- Graduate Students: 3,780
- Grads Salary: $79,000
- Student-to-faculty: 23:1
19
Soka University of America
Score: 70.41
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $34,382
- Out-of-State:$34,382
- Net Price: $18,807
- Acceptance Rate: 70%
- Retention Rate: 92%
- Graduation Rate: 87%
- Total Enrollment: 476
- Undergrad Students: 464
- Graduate Students: 12
- Grads Salary: $66,000
- Student-to-faculty: 7:1
20
California State University-Fullerton
Score: 69.78
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,176
- Out-of-State:$16,680
- Net Price: $6,283
- Acceptance Rate: 87%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 69%
- Total Enrollment: 41,962
- Undergrad Students: 37,125
- Graduate Students: 4,837
- Grads Salary: $80,000
- Student-to-faculty: 22:1
21
University of San Diego
Score: 69.51
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $28,854
- Out-of-State:$28,854
- Net Price: $37,675
- Acceptance Rate: 47%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 82%
- Total Enrollment: 9,110
- Undergrad Students: 5,726
- Graduate Students: 3,384
- Grads Salary: $85,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
22
Cal Poly Pomona
Score: 69.02
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,176
- Out-of-State:$16,680
- Net Price: $11,898
- Acceptance Rate: 74%
- Retention Rate: 88%
- Graduation Rate: 67%
- Total Enrollment: 26,848
- Undergrad Students: 24,455
- Graduate Students: 2,393
- Grads Salary: $82,000
- Student-to-faculty: 23:1
23
Fresno Pacific University
Score: 68.57
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,140
- Out-of-State:$13,140
- Net Price: $15,668
- Acceptance Rate: 58%
- Retention Rate: 81%
- Graduation Rate: 56%
- Total Enrollment: 2,921
- Undergrad Students: 1,616
- Graduate Students: 1,305
- Grads Salary: $84,000
- Student-to-faculty: 8:1
24
California Lutheran University
Score: 67.7
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $22,198
- Out-of-State:$22,198
- Net Price: $27,080
- Acceptance Rate: 89%
- Retention Rate: 81%
- Graduation Rate: 74%
- Total Enrollment: 3,413
- Undergrad Students: 2,380
- Graduate Students: 1,033
- Grads Salary: $85,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
25
University of California-Merced
Score: 67.46
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,264
- Out-of-State:$27,366
- Net Price: $13,232
- Acceptance Rate: 39%
- Retention Rate: 83%
- Graduation Rate: 69%
- Total Enrollment: 9,147
- Undergrad Students: 8,372
- Graduate Students: 775
- Grads Salary: $72,000
- Student-to-faculty: 21:1
Scholarships for California Students
California students receive substantial grant assistance from the state of California. Residents must take advantage of every scholarship opportunity. Students must start early and research scholarships that may become available to them.
HAA
Horatio Alger California Scholarship
Amount: Up to $7,000 (92 Awards)
Deadline: October 25
https://scholars.horatioalger.org/scholarships
The annual program has ninety-two (92) awards up to $7,000 total per recipient. Eligible applicants must be California residents, US citizens, and enrolled full-time as a high school senior. Students can use awards at two or four-year schools. Applicants must write and submit a themed essay and demonstrate financial need. The overall theme of the program is to recognize and support students that have overcome barriers.
CCNMA
CCNMA Scholarships
Amount: Varies
Deadline: April 2
https://www.ccnma.org/scholarships
The Latino journalists of California offer the Joel Garcia Memorial Scholarship along with a series of scholarships to promote diversity in the news industry. The awards support students pursuing careers in journalism. The organization seeks to develop educational programs for Latino journalists and to promote better portrayals of Latinos in the news and media.
ESA
ESA Youth Scholarship Program
Amount: $3,500 and $7,500
Deadline:
https://esaweb.org/programs/youth-scholarship/ysapply/
The Electronic Security Association offers scholarships to support the children of first responders. Eligible applicants must be graduating high school seniors; must have a parent or guardian that is an active police officer, firefighter, paramedic, EMT in California duty; and reside in participating states. California is a participating state and students in California can apply to the California ESA.