Best Colleges in California
California is 163,696 square miles and contains the largest higher education system in the nation. Colleges in California include notable institutions such as Stanford University, CalTech, and UCLA. The Golden State is known for birthing the American film industry as well as the Internet, and its economy centers around professional and business services, educational and health services, financial activities, and leisure and hospitality. California has a largely mediterranean climate, but can range from polar to subtropical depending on region. The Golden Gate Bridge, Palm Springs, Yosemite National Park, and Universal Studios Hollywood are primary tourist spots. Lesser known hot spots in Cali include Victorville’s California Route 66 Museum, the Redwoods in Arcata, and the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Preserve.
How Were the Top Schools in California Chosen?
Appily determines “Best Colleges” based on publicly-available information from the US Department of Education. Several factors include, but are not limited to, data about admitted students’ academic calibers, students’ expected career outcomes after graduation, and colleges’ investments toward making their institution accessible to all students.
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Taft College is a public, 2-year institution established in southwest California. Students attending Taft can enroll in approximately 100 different career-based, technical degree and certificate programs, with many courses available through the...
The teachers do an awesome job with their lesson plans. I like how my recreation's teacher, Mrs. Herder, would also talk to us one on one.
” – Michelle from Taft, CAPart of the Trinity International University system of schools, Trinity Law School is a Christian school of law affiliated with the Evangelical Free Church of America. In addition to Gospel-centered classes in the school’s JD curriculum, Trinity Law...
Ventura College is a 2-year community college. Each VC course is centered around Student Learning Outcomes: specific statements and goals set by the faculty that students are expected to demonstrate by the end of the class. VC is best known for the...
I have been pleasantly surprized at how much I have learned. The teachers for the most part are very good and easy to deal with.
” – Daniel from Ventura, CAWest Los Angeles College is a 2-year institution featuring nearly 1000 classes in 12 academic departments. In addition to its 41 associate degrees, West LA offers a bachelor’s degree program in Dental Hygiene and is one of just two community colleges...
A fantastic option for transfer students or those looking to get an AA/AS degree. It's not too difficult to get into classes, and they aren't excessively full. A practically brand new campus with amazing resources makes me proud to attend WLAC.
” – Daniella from Los Angeles, CAWest Valley College is a 2-year community college at the southwest edge of Silicon Valley. WVC offers programs and certificates in 44 academic departments including an Unmanned Aircraft Systems program training students in aerial videography and...
Since West Valley has such a supportive and helpful staff, it is very easy for me to learn alot of new things so that I may get my degree faster and easier. It also helps me complete what I couldn't quite understand in high school.
” – Amanda from San Jose, CAYuba College is a 2-year institution and the main campus of northern California’s Yuba Community College District. The Yuba campus offers degrees and certificates in nine academic departments as well as community education courses in subjects such as...
The California Institute of Integral Studies fuses new age concepts such as consciousness and spirituality into all of its academic offerings. The Institute’s San Francisco campus is made up of three schools and also houses a branch of the American...
CIIS offers progressive educational practices, formats, and courses of study that suit both traditional and non-traditional students. Faculty expertise coupled with honoring student experience allows the learner to be an explorer as meaningful...
” – Kristen from Harrisonburg, VAGrace Mission University is a non-denominational Christian university in Orange County dedicated to training students for ministry. GMU offers a bachelor’s degree in Theology and three master’s degrees in Christian Education, Divinity, and...
CBD College is a private, medical education institution established in Los Angeles, California. CBD offers programs in fields of study including Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Ultrasound, Dental Assistant, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Medical Assistant...
The Charles A. Jones Career & Education Center is a vocational school in California’s capital city of Sacramento. To accompany the center’s High School Equivalency prep course, CAJ offers nine career training academic programs in the fields of...
West Hills College in Coalinga is a 2-year community college in central California. WHCC is home to over 70 degree and certificate programs in 12 academic departments. The college’s Agriculture program features an emphasis on sustainable farming...
College of the Redwoods is a public, 2-year institution in Eureka, California, with satellite locations in Crescent City, Garberville, and Hoopa. With over 1,000 classes in the college’s academic catalog, CR offers associate degrees and certificates...
College of the Redwoods is on the smaller side; there are not a large amount of students. This makes learning very easy because the professors have a smaller population to teach and try to help. Most of the courses are very easy to follow and to...
” – Josie from Alderpoint, CACollege of the Sequoias (COS) is a public two-year community college in Visalia, one of three campuses in the COS system. The college was established in 1926 and moved to its current 62-acre main campus site in Visalia in 1940. The Visalia main...
This community college is great for all types of students. I am a full time student and also working full time with a 4 month old son. I'm learning something new every semester!!
” – Erin from Hanford, CAThe College of the Siskiyous is a 2-year community college located at the base of Mount Shasta. Its two campuses in northern California offer degrees and certificates in 34 areas of study as well as living space for 154 students. With its proximity...
Great campus! Small class sizes ensure a personal experience in classes. I'm in it for the fire academy but I'm just as impressed with every other class I've taken.
” – Kenneth from Rescue, CAColumbia College is a 2-year community college in Sonora, California. In addition to 21 degree and certificate programs in six academic departments, Columbia also offers technical and vocational classes in 16 different fields. A number of Columbia’s...
I love the campus and the people that are involved in keeping it maintained. I love the staff, they have all been amazing help to me.I love that i have so many options for programs that will help through college
” – Brandi from Copperopolis, CACopper Mountain College is a public, 2-year institution established on a rural campus in Joshua Tree, California. CMC offers associate’s degrees and certificates in nearly 30 areas of study, with courses following a 2-year rotation cycle. The college...
Cuyamaca College is a 2-year community college in the eastern San Diego area. Among its 91 degree programs and 74 certificates, Cuyamaca offers several foreign language programs including Arabic, Native American languages, and Aramaic. The college’s...
I am really learning a lot in Cuyamaca College. The teachers are excellent because they dedicate their time even if it is not during the class in order for you to understand whatever subject you are confused on. Most of the teachers learn your name...
” – Marlene from San Diego, CAHacienda La Puente Adult Education is a vocational school in the Los Angeles metro area and one of the largest adult education institutions in California. HLPAE offers career-centered courses in the fields of technology, service, trades, health, and...
Imperial Valley College is a 2-year community college located just north of the Mexican border in southern California. IVC is home to four academic divisions granting associate degrees and certificates in Health & Public Safety, Math & Sciences, Arts...
Lake Tahoe Community College is a 2-year institution whose campus sits 6,229 feet above sea level—the highest elevation of any college in northern California. LTCC confers associate degrees in 31 subjects including in Natural Science and Wilderness...
LTCC is a very beautiful school. It is small so you know everybody. It is around midtown so it is easy to get to.
” – Kathleen from South Lake Tahoe, CA