University Headquarters (HQ) is an industry-leading, independent educational organization that provides independent college rankings using a proprietary formula to create first class, unbiased rankings. The team at University HQ strives to provide accurate and trustworthy rankings that highlight the best programs in California.
Are you considering enrolling in an online college degree program in California? Earning a degree will increase your competitiveness and earning potential in the work force. Graduates will also have many opportunities for employment, as this state saw the country’s largest job increase from May 2020 to 2021. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, California added 1,220,200 jobs throughout the year. This is significantly more than even the two closest competitors, New York and Texas, which both had increases of less than 900,000. In November 2021, the state’s civilian labor force totaled 19,040,700, with 1,321,300 unemployed. As of this date, California’s unemployment rate was at 6.9%.
In addition to having fairly good job prospects, college graduates can expect to earn decent wages. In 2020, California had a mean hourly wage of $31.61 and an annual mean wage of $65,740. Both of these are higher than the national means of $27.07 and $56,310. However, it’s important to remember that salaries vary depending on the career field selected, with some offering better prospects than others. From 2018 to 2028, the occupations with the most job openings are expected to be food preparation and serving workers, personal care aides, and retail salespersons. The fastest growing occupations in the state include occupational therapy assistants, speech-language pathologists, photographers, physical therapist assistants, and information security analysts.
Top 20 Best Online Associate & Community Colleges in California
1
West Valley College
Score: 86.45
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $1,490
- Out-of-State:$8,702
- Net Price: $5,468
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 80%
- Graduation Rate: 45%
- Total Enrollment: 6,513
- Undergrad Students: 6,513
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $39,200
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
2
Diablo Valley College
Score: 85.17
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $1,312
- Out-of-State:$9,012
- Net Price: $7,398
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 80%
- Graduation Rate: 47%
- Total Enrollment: 16,097
- Undergrad Students: 16,097
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $39,700
- Student-to-faculty: 24:1
3
Skyline College
Score: 84.05
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $1,332
- Out-of-State:$11,384
- Net Price: $5,161
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 74%
- Graduation Rate: 40%
- Total Enrollment: 8,523
- Undergrad Students: 8,523
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $41,500
- Student-to-faculty: 27:1
4
Mt. San Antonio College
Score: 82.35
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $1,364
- Out-of-State:$10,212
- Net Price: $5,528
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 82%
- Graduation Rate: 40%
- Total Enrollment: 26,256
- Undergrad Students: 26,256
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $37,800
- Student-to-faculty: 22:1
5
Rio Hondo College
Score: 75.46
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $1,388
- Out-of-State:$9,884
- Net Price: $6,099
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 89%
- Graduation Rate: 25%
- Total Enrollment: 16,139
- Undergrad Students: 16,139
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $37,400
- Student-to-faculty: 29:1
6
Hartnell College
Score: 74.43
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $1,404
- Out-of-State:$8,994
- Net Price: $7,279
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 72%
- Graduation Rate: 32%
- Total Enrollment: 8,892
- Undergrad Students: 8,892
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $34,600
- Student-to-faculty: 22:1
7
Cuesta College
Score: 73
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $1,340
- Out-of-State:$11,000
- Net Price: $14,507
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 68%
- Graduation Rate: 44%
- Total Enrollment: 9,908
- Undergrad Students: 9,908
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $33,700
- Student-to-faculty: 27:1
8
Los Angeles Harbor College
Score: 72.46
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $1,238
- Out-of-State:$10,050
- Net Price: $12,757
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 70%
- Graduation Rate: 30%
- Total Enrollment: 7,384
- Undergrad Students: 7,384
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $37,100
- Student-to-faculty: 26:1
9
Golden West College
Score: 72.12
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $1,196
- Out-of-State:$11,084
- Net Price: $5,088
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 74%
- Graduation Rate: 42%
- Total Enrollment: 10,053
- Undergrad Students: 10,053
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $28,100
- Student-to-faculty: 26:1
10
Palomar College
Score: 71.43
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $1,354
- Out-of-State:$10,650
- Net Price: $8,476
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 66%
- Graduation Rate: 31%
- Total Enrollment: 17,655
- Undergrad Students: 17,655
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $32,900
- Student-to-faculty: 21:1
11
Barstow Community College
Score: 70.44
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $1,104
- Out-of-State:$9,936
- Net Price: $9,948
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 64%
- Graduation Rate: 31%
- Total Enrollment: 2,884
- Undergrad Students: 2,884
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $32,800
- Student-to-faculty: 21:1
12
Cabrillo College
Score: 70.03
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $1,270
- Out-of-State:$9,910
- Net Price: $18,992
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 74%
- Graduation Rate: 33%
- Total Enrollment: 9,149
- Undergrad Students: 9,149
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $33,600
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
13
Solano Community College
Score: 69.41
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $1,172
- Out-of-State:$8,900
- Net Price: $7,614
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: N/A
- Graduation Rate: 34%
- Total Enrollment: 8,426
- Undergrad Students: 8,426
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $37,900
- Student-to-faculty: 25:1
14
Imperial Valley College
Score: 68.55
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $1,126
- Out-of-State:$7,990
- Net Price: $4,396
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 76%
- Graduation Rate: 37%
- Total Enrollment: 7,747
- Undergrad Students: 7,747
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $26,900
- Student-to-faculty: 31:1
15
San Jose City College
Score: 68.44
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $1,366
- Out-of-State:$9,486
- Net Price: $20,395
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 68%
- Graduation Rate: 34%
- Total Enrollment: 7,561
- Undergrad Students: 7,561
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $34,600
- Student-to-faculty: 23:1
16
Cerro Coso Community College
Score: 65.78
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $1,384
- Out-of-State:$10,264
- Net Price: $11,826
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 45%
- Graduation Rate: 29%
- Total Enrollment: 4,919
- Undergrad Students: 4,919
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $32,300
- Student-to-faculty: 23:1
17
Los Angeles City College
Score: 65.43
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $1,238
- Out-of-State:$10,130
- Net Price: $10,423
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 63%
- Graduation Rate: 24%
- Total Enrollment: 13,199
- Undergrad Students: 13,199
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $32,000
- Student-to-faculty: 27:1
18
Carrington College-Sacramento
Score: 60.89
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $21,589
- Out-of-State:$21,589
- Net Price: $36,979
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 54%
- Graduation Rate: 46%
- Total Enrollment: 1,837
- Undergrad Students: 1,837
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $34,400
- Student-to-faculty: 34:1
19
San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia
Score: 56.22
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $17,655
- Out-of-State:$17,655
- Net Price: $25,264
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 49%
- Graduation Rate: 32%
- Total Enrollment: 2,265
- Undergrad Students: 2,265
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $29,100
- Student-to-faculty: 31:1
20
University of Antelope Valley
Score: 48.25
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $1,465
- Out-of-State:$1,465
- Net Price: $22,349
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 58%
- Graduation Rate: 69%
- Total Enrollment: 517
- Undergrad Students: 487
- Graduate Students: 30
- Grads Salary: N/A
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
Top 25 Best Online Colleges in California
1
Stanford University
Score: 94.28
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $62,484
- Out-of-State:$62,484
- Net Price: $18,279
- Acceptance Rate: 4%
- Retention Rate: 98%
- Graduation Rate: 95%
- Total Enrollment: 18,283
- Undergrad Students: 8,049
- Graduate Students: 10,234
- Grads Salary: $116,000
- Student-to-faculty: 5:1
2
University of Southern California
Score: 78.59
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $68,237
- Out-of-State:$68,237
- Net Price: $36,808
- Acceptance Rate: 12%
- Retention Rate: 97%
- Graduation Rate: 92%
- Total Enrollment: 48,945
- Undergrad Students: 20,699
- Graduate Students: 28,246
- Grads Salary: $92,000
- Student-to-faculty: 9:1
3
San Diego State University
Score: 73.57
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,290
- Out-of-State:$20,170
- Net Price: $13,017
- Acceptance Rate: 39%
- Retention Rate: 89%
- Graduation Rate: 78%
- Total Enrollment: 37,402
- Undergrad Students: 32,194
- Graduate Students: 5,208
- Grads Salary: $82,000
- Student-to-faculty: 25:1
4
California State University-Long Beach
Score: 72.34
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,008
- Out-of-State:$18,888
- Net Price: $9,346
- Acceptance Rate: 40%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 73%
- Total Enrollment: 38,973
- Undergrad Students: 32,931
- Graduate Students: 6,042
- Grads Salary: $79,000
- Student-to-faculty: 22:1
5
Santa Clara University
Score: 72.06
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $59,241
- Out-of-State:$59,241
- Net Price: $50,551
- Acceptance Rate: 52%
- Retention Rate: 92%
- Graduation Rate: 89%
- Total Enrollment: 9,178
- Undergrad Students: 6,115
- Graduate Students: 3,063
- Grads Salary: $96,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
6
San Jose State University
Score: 71.81
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,992
- Out-of-State:$19,872
- Net Price: $14,219
- Acceptance Rate: 77%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 68%
- Total Enrollment: 35,751
- Undergrad Students: 26,863
- Graduate Students: 8,888
- Grads Salary: $91,000
- Student-to-faculty: 22:1
7
University of San Diego
Score: 70.54
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $56,444
- Out-of-State:$56,444
- Net Price: $36,008
- Acceptance Rate: 53%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 83%
- Total Enrollment: 8,815
- Undergrad Students: 5,669
- Graduate Students: 3,146
- Grads Salary: $85,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
8
Humphreys University-Stockton and Modesto
Score: 70.08
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,760
- Out-of-State:$14,760
- Net Price: $18,306
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 100%
- Graduation Rate: 75%
- Total Enrollment: 393
- Undergrad Students: 159
- Graduate Students: 234
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 7:1
9
California State University-Chico
Score: 67.2
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,064
- Out-of-State:$19,944
- Net Price: $15,517
- Acceptance Rate: 95%
- Retention Rate: 80%
- Graduation Rate: 64%
- Total Enrollment: 14,183
- Undergrad Students: 12,981
- Graduate Students: 1,202
- Grads Salary: $85,000
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
10
California Lutheran University
Score: 66.71
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $50,670
- Out-of-State:$50,670
- Net Price: $30,416
- Acceptance Rate: 87%
- Retention Rate: 81%
- Graduation Rate: 73%
- Total Enrollment: 3,615
- Undergrad Students: 2,513
- Graduate Students: 1,102
- Grads Salary: $85,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
11
University of Redlands
Score: 66.62
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $57,614
- Out-of-State:$57,614
- Net Price: $28,157
- Acceptance Rate: 82%
- Retention Rate: 80%
- Graduation Rate: 67%
- Total Enrollment: 3,460
- Undergrad Students: 2,313
- Graduate Students: 1,147
- Grads Salary: $85,000
- Student-to-faculty: 10:1
12
University of La Verne
Score: 66.42
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $47,000
- Out-of-State:$47,000
- Net Price: $25,103
- Acceptance Rate: 74%
- Retention Rate: 77%
- Graduation Rate: 63%
- Total Enrollment: 5,662
- Undergrad Students: 3,365
- Graduate Students: 2,297
- Grads Salary: $85,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
13
West Coast University-Orange County
Score: 66.28
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $22,685
- Out-of-State:$22,685
- Net Price: $27,933
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 100%
- Graduation Rate: 73%
- Total Enrollment: 4,475
- Undergrad Students: 3,023
- Graduate Students: 1,452
- Grads Salary: $81,000
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
14
Fresno Pacific University
Score: 65.46
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $35,558
- Out-of-State:$35,558
- Net Price: $15,255
- Acceptance Rate: 75%
- Retention Rate: 75%
- Graduation Rate: 50%
- Total Enrollment: 3,032
- Undergrad Students: 1,744
- Graduate Students: 1,288
- Grads Salary: $84,000
- Student-to-faculty: 10:1
15
California State University-Northridge
Score: 64.69
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,095
- Out-of-State:$18,975
- Net Price: $8,936
- Acceptance Rate: 91%
- Retention Rate: 75%
- Graduation Rate: 56%
- Total Enrollment: 37,579
- Undergrad Students: 32,181
- Graduate Students: 5,398
- Grads Salary: $81,000
- Student-to-faculty: 24:1
16
California State University-Fresno
Score: 64.12
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,980
- Out-of-State:$18,860
- Net Price: $7,507
- Acceptance Rate: 95%
- Retention Rate: 76%
- Graduation Rate: 56%
- Total Enrollment: 23,999
- Undergrad Students: 21,354
- Graduate Students: 2,645
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 21:1
17
California State University-Sacramento
Score: 63.78
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,602
- Out-of-State:$19,482
- Net Price: $11,596
- Acceptance Rate: 93%
- Retention Rate: 80%
- Graduation Rate: 54%
- Total Enrollment: 31,818
- Undergrad Students: 28,921
- Graduate Students: 2,897
- Grads Salary: $81,000
- Student-to-faculty: 24:1
18
Biola University
Score: 63.67
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $46,704
- Out-of-State:$46,704
- Net Price: $31,522
- Acceptance Rate: 57%
- Retention Rate: 84%
- Graduation Rate: 72%
- Total Enrollment: 5,387
- Undergrad Students: 3,499
- Graduate Students: 1,888
- Grads Salary: $72,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
19
California State University-Monterey Bay
Score: 63.53
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,437
- Out-of-State:$19,317
- Net Price: $11,435
- Acceptance Rate: 92%
- Retention Rate: 79%
- Graduation Rate: 61%
- Total Enrollment: 7,045
- Undergrad Students: 6,248
- Graduate Students: 797
- Grads Salary: $73,000
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
20
Loyola Marymount University
Score: 63.34
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $58,974
- Out-of-State:$58,974
- Net Price: $52,815
- Acceptance Rate: 41%
- Retention Rate: 88%
- Graduation Rate: 82%
- Total Enrollment: 10,165
- Undergrad Students: 7,299
- Graduate Students: 2,866
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
21
California State University-San Bernardino
Score: 62.46
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,675
- Out-of-State:$19,555
- Net Price: $8,805
- Acceptance Rate: 91%
- Retention Rate: 80%
- Graduation Rate: 54%
- Total Enrollment: 19,803
- Undergrad Students: 17,034
- Graduate Students: 2,769
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 23:1
22
Point Loma Nazarene University
Score: 62.17
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $43,550
- Out-of-State:$43,550
- Net Price: $34,933
- Acceptance Rate: 82%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 76%
- Total Enrollment: 4,319
- Undergrad Students: 3,154
- Graduate Students: 1,165
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
23
Azusa Pacific University
Score: 61.92
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $43,600
- Out-of-State:$43,600
- Net Price: $26,666
- Acceptance Rate: 87%
- Retention Rate: 78%
- Graduation Rate: 61%
- Total Enrollment: 7,169
- Undergrad Students: 3,348
- Graduate Students: 3,821
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 10:1
24
California State University-San Marcos
Score: 61.75
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,739
- Out-of-State:$19,619
- Net Price: $10,463
- Acceptance Rate: 95%
- Retention Rate: 72%
- Graduation Rate: 57%
- Total Enrollment: 15,109
- Undergrad Students: 13,914
- Graduate Students: 1,195
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 23:1
25
California State University-East Bay
Score: 61.73
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,055
- Out-of-State:$18,935
- Net Price: $11,464
- Acceptance Rate: 96%
- Retention Rate: 75%
- Graduation Rate: 46%
- Total Enrollment: 13,673
- Undergrad Students: 10,796
- Graduate Students: 2,877
- Grads Salary: $82,000
- Student-to-faculty: 22:1
