California State University Long Beach
- Estimated price with average grant: $11,200
- Graduation rate: 78%
- Median earnings for recent graduates: $57,120
Strong programs in practical, in-demand areas like accounting, health care administration and engineering help students who go to Cal State Long Beach line up jobs as soon as they graduate. As its nickname hints, CSULBs campus environment is classic California, right down to its new mascot, Elbee the shark.
How To Apply To The Ucs
One aspect of applying to the best colleges in California that frequently arises with our students is how to apply to the UCs. Since the UC application is so unique, and the UCs are such prestigious research universities that rank among the best universities in California, they are very popular schools.
We have many resources on the CollegeAdvisor website that can help students apply to the UCs. For example, if youre looking for more information on how to apply to the UCs, check out this webinar: The Ultimate Guide to Applying to the University of California Schools.
The Ultimate Guide to Applying to the University of California Schools
This webinar features former Admissions Officer Aaron Brown, who gives advice on all pieces of the UC application. Aaron went to USC and then worked in admissions there for many years before working in admissions at UC San Diego, so if youre looking to attend one of the best colleges in California, his expert advice may be just what you need.
What Are Each Of The Claremont Colleges Known For
Similar to the UC and CSU system, applicants who hope to attend one of the private colleges in California that make up the Claremont Colleges will need to apply to the specific campus and institution.
Once again, these schools are some of the best colleges in California. You can apply to multiple Claremont colleges, and each has its own character.
Lets check out a snapshot of each of the institutions that make the Claremont Colleges, which are some of the top California colleges.
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California State Universitydominguez Hills
Carson, Calif.
CSU, Dominguez Hills offers over 40 majors, most of which feature multiple concentrations. For instance, their business degree features eleven concentrations, including entrepreneurship, accounting, finance, international business, information systems and marketing. CSUDH is located in LA County, just slightly north of Long Beach. CSUDH focuses on providing students with degrees that will be popular with employers and useful for students as they enter the beginning stages of successful careers.
Tuition: $6,941
Top Public Colleges And Universities In California
Public colleges and universities are often the most affordable option for students pursuing higher education, but its not just affordability that makes these institutions attractive. Public institutions also rank highly among the best colleges and universities in many states, California included.
Public colleges and universities receive state and federal funding. Although they generally have larger class sizes than private institutions, they also tend to offer a wide variety of academic programs, diverse student bodies, and prestigious research opportunities.
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Ready To Start Your Journey
California has more colleges and universities than any other state in the United States and has a reputation for being exceptionally supportive of higher education. The University of California system is widely regarded as one of the best public university systems in the country. The state also has a number of exceptional private universities for students to choose from.
The College Consensus ranking of the Best Colleges in California combines the results of the most respected college ranking systems with the averaged ratings of thousands of real student reviews from around the web to create a unique college meta-ranking. This approach offers a comprehensive and holistic perspective missing from other college rankings. Visit our about page for information on which rankings and review sites were included in this years consensus rankings.
California State Universitylos Angeles
Los Angeles, Calif.
The number of degree programs CSULA offers is quite large. This is one of the largest public universities in the state. The school also has a great rate of acceptance. The major reason Calif. public universities have such low acceptance rates compared to many other state universities is because of how many applicants they receive each semester. With a school as popular as CSULA, make sure you apply early.
Tuition: $6,781
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What Is The Biggest Public College Or University In California
California is home to many large public institutions. While UCLA is the largest public institution in the state, schools like UC Berkeley and Cal State Fullerton are only slightly smaller. Many public institutions in California have enrollment numbers that exceed 30,000 students.
Degree-seekers wanting public tuition rates with fewer students can consider schools like Cal State-Monterey Bay, Humboldt State University, and Cal State-Channel Islands these public schools have fewer than 8,000 students.
Public Universities In California
Weve discussed that California is home to the UC system, which includes many of the top universities in California. With nine campuses spread across the state, the UC system is one of the best public university systems in the nation. It includes many of the top colleges in California, and competition for acceptance can be fierce.
Note that the UC schools are test-blind. In short, this means they do not consider test scores in the review process.
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What Are Schools Like In California
On Niche, you will find that California is home to over 500 colleges and universities, a healthy mix of four-year and two-year institutions with program choices to meet your needs. Prestigious universities like , among the best universities in California, offer world-renowned academic programs. They grant four-year bachelor and graduate degrees.
If attending a university is not for you, Niche can help you find one of the many trade schools in California to meet your educational goals.
Two-year degree programs are great for any student, especially those looking for skills to enter the workforce. Two-year colleges typically offer transfer programs to make transferring into a four-year school later seamless. Several of the best-known two-year degree schools include Lake Tahoe Community College.
California also has trade schools for students interested in learning a trade in two years or less. Trade schools tend to be less expensive than colleges and universities and offer programs that focus on high-skilled professions with high salary potential.
San Diego State University
5216 Niche users give it an average review of 3.7 stars.
Featured Review: Junior says San Diego State University provides a beautiful and growing campus filled with a diverse community. As an aerospace engineering major at SDSU, I could definitely say that the university does provide….
Read 5216 reviews.
Overall Niche Grade: A minus,
Acceptance Rate: 37%,
Freshman: So far it’s good! The departments you reach out to reply quickly and answer your questions they really do try to provide the best help they can. Professors are friendly and help you with questions and the path you are on. Students are friendly . Many higher up students that I’ve talked with are so friendly and answer any/all questions I have on their major, courses, etc and genuinely aren’t bothered to answer questions. Many events at Chapman include music/theatre events sports events, connection events, and friendly clubs. Though it is hard to navigate your first year in college, I’ve gotten great support from professors, students who answer any questions I have, on campus job bosses, and more. Chapman does a pretty good job of listening to student concerns …. Read 2,223 reviews
#24 Best Colleges in California.
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What Kinds Of Colleges Are In California
The best universities in California come in all shapes and sizes. No matter your interests, youll likely find California colleges that suit your needs.
Lets take a closer look at three types of public and private top colleges in California that might interest you:
- Public research universities
- Private liberal arts colleges
What Is The Least Expensive Public College Or University In California
CSUs have lower tuition rates compared to UCs. The average CSU tuition for the 2022-23 academic year is $5,740.
When determining the cost of studying and living in California, the location may also impact the cost of living. Students in places like San Bernardino and Chico inevitably have a lower cost of living than those living in Los Angeles or San Francisco. Before enrolling at a four-year school, students can complete many general education requirements at community colleges at a lower cost.
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California State University Sacramento
Another of the California State offerings, Sacramento State is ranked 9th Most Transformative University in Money Magazine for its ability to offer financially accessible programs and encourage upward mobility through its degrees. It is also the 4th most diverse university in the Western U.S. Sacramento State has an acceptance rate of 83%.
Discovering California State Universities
When researching the best colleges in California, you might focus on the UC system rather than the California State University system. However, the CSUs are also some of the top colleges in California. Like the UC system, the California State system houses multiple public universities in California. There are 23 campuses within the California State University system. Yearly, the CSU educates over 477,000 students.
Universities within the CSU system strive to be affordable options for students. In fact, the California State University rankings show that these are not only some of the top California colleges, but also some of the best budget options nationwide. More than half of CSU students graduate with no student loan debt. Wow, no wonder these are considered some of the top colleges in California!
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California State University Long Beach:
With an urban campus setting in a beautiful location lined with peach trees, CSU Long Beach is a great option for students. With a slightly less selective acceptance rate of 47%, its a strong match school for many top students. Class sizes at CSU Long Beach tend to be larger than those of the UCs. For in-state students, tuition is just under $7,000.
The 10 Best Colleges In California
Kaitlin Mulhere7 min readA better student loan experience. Get started today.
It wouldnt be an exaggeration to say that California dominates Moneys annual college rankings.
Year after year, the top of our list is peppered with schools in the Golden State, and 2022 is no exception 16 California colleges land in our top 50.
Moneys college rankings reward campuses that are affordable, as measured by tuition and fees, typical financial aid packages, and student and parent borrowing. We also focus on graduation rates and average earnings to find colleges that offer a strong return on investment.
Californias prestigious private schools, like Stanford University, Pomona College and California Institute of Technology, tend to score high across the board.
But so do many of the campuses in the states University of California and California State University systems. The systems 32 campuses claimed 27 of the top 100 spots on our 2022 list. They score particularly well on measures of upward economic mobility, enrolling a high share of lower-income students and launching them into well-paying jobs.
All together, this adds up to a state with an abundance of high-value colleges. To generate our list of top California colleges, we looked at the top-scoring schools on both our main ranking and our selective colleges list
Heres a breakdown of the 10 best.
- Estimated price with average grant: $21,100
- Graduation rate: 94%
- Median earnings for recent graduates: $97,800
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Specifically Well Look At:
- How many colleges are in California?
- What kinds of colleges are in California?
- The best universities in California
- What are the best liberal arts colleges in California?
- Private colleges in California
- What makes different top California colleges unique?
- Community colleges in California
Well also use factors like the University of California rankings and the California State University rankings to help you decide where each school falls on your college list. In truth, this can help you find the top universities in California based on your needs.
Now, lets take a closer look at what the best universities in California have to offer. Then, well dig into the top universities in California by category and describe what makes them unique.
Sponsored Result California Career Institute
Blue checkmark.
Alum: Aside from all of the aspects Pomona promotes as the reasons in favor of attending, I have to say that the relationships I forged with faculty, staff, and my fellow majors contributed in large part to my success in undergrad and beyond. The Career Development Office in particular helped me perfect my job-hunting skills, and tailor my resume to ensure I was always putting my best, most relevant self out there. The alumni network is robust, and folks are always willing to lend a helping hand when it comes to connecting current students and other alums to jobs or people who can lift them up. Thanks to the CDO, I was able to land a great internship that legitimized my thesis research to a point where I was able to create valid policy solutions to address the problems I was trying to solve, which is why I chose Pomona in the first place. So glad to have had the opportunities and experiences that I did! My life shifted for the better because of Pomona…. Read 414 reviews
#4 Best Colleges in California.
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Best College Towns In California
What counts as a college town? For this ranking, we left out California’s major cities and focused on smaller locations typically located within walking distance of a nearby campus. Then we looked at factors like walkability, affordability, employment opportunities, and student-centered attractions to rank the best college towns in California. Note that the population numbers included in this ranking are based on U.S. Census Bureau estimates from July 2019.
California Bill Calls For Revenue Sharing In College Sports
Ralph D. Russo
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
California Assemblymember Chris Holden discusses a bill called the College Athlete Protection Act in front of the Rose Bowl on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023, in Pasadena, Calif. The bill would require schools that play major college sports to pay some athletes as much as $25,000 annually, along with covering the cost of six-year guaranteed athletic scholarships and post-college medical expenses.
A California lawmaker introduced a bill Thursday that would require schools that play major college sports to pay some athletes as much as $25,000 annually, along with covering the cost of six-year guaranteed athletic scholarships and post-college medical expenses.
The College Athlete Protection Act is sponsored by Assemblymember Chris Holden, who is a former San Diego State basketball player, and is the type of state-level legislation that the NCAA is looking to federal lawmakers to preempt.
I know how close you can come to an injury taking away not only the game you love to play but also your opportunity to finish college, Holden said at a news conference outside the historic Rose Bowl stadium.
California was the first state to pass a law that gave college athletes the right to be compensated for name, image and likeness back in 2019. That triggered similar action by state legislatures around the country.
Holden is eager for the state to be at the forefront again.
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Best Colleges In California For Doctors
Choosing the top colleges in California for business is a personal choice. In the same way, choosing the best colleges in California for doctors depends a lot on your individual needs. However, there are many top California colleges lists to help you find top-ranking pre-med programs.
Theres no definitive list of the best pre-med programs or the best colleges in California for doctors. This is because programs can vary greatly depending on the school. So, instead, look for the best universities in California for doctors for you. Think about your education and career goals when creating your top colleges in California for doctors list.
How Many Colleges Are In California
As one of the largest states in the country, its no surprise that there are hundreds of colleges in California. In total, there are over 450 colleges and universities in California.
| Private institutions in California |
So, if youre looking for top colleges in California, youll have plenty of options. The top universities in California are both public and private. From Caltech to UC Berkeley to Claremont McKenna, theres no shortage of choice when it comes to the top universities in California.
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What Are The Best Colleges In California Here Are Our Top :
Is your school on this list? Get the BestColleges ranking seal.
| #1 |
At BestColleges, we believe a college education is one of the most important investments you will make. We want to help you navigate the college selection process by offering school rankings that are transparent, inclusive, and relevant for online students.
Our rankings are grounded in a few guiding principles and use the latest statistical data available from trusted sources. Read our Ranking Methodology. We hope our approach helps you find the school that is best for you.
=10 University Of California Santa Cruz
Topping off our countdown of the top schools in California in 2021 is the University of California, Santa Cruz, up an impressive 14 places to rank joint 80th in the USA.
With over 2,000 acres of land, UCSC overlooks the scenic Monterey Bay. This public university was founded in 1965, and since then has grown to teach more than 19,000 students. It has 106 programmes on offer for undergraduates and postgraduates.
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