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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Bergin University of Canine Studies is a private institution established in Rohnert Park, California, exclusively for training and studying dogs. Along with its certificate programs, the college offers three different programs of study, including...
One of the first colleges founded in the state of California, American Baptist Seminary of the West is a Christian graduate school in Berkeley and a charter member of the Graduate Theological Union. Affiliated with the American Baptist Churches USA...
The California Institute of Advanced Management is a private, graduate education institution located in Alhambra. The college offers standard, accelerated, and part-time MBA programs, allowing students to earn their degree in one to two years with...
Established in 1995, California International Business University is a private, 4-year institution located in San Diego. CIBU offers degrees in Business Administration from a bachelor’s to doctoral level as well as a non-credit Business Fundamentals...
Founded on the objectives of values, versatility, and technology, the California University of Management and Sciences is a business school with campuses in Orange County. CALUMS offers a bachelor’s degree in Business Management as well as master’s...
A member of the Graduate Theological Union, the Church Divinity School of the Pacific is a Christian graduate school in Berkeley and the west coast’s only Episcopal seminary. CDS offers master’s degree programs in Divinity, Arts, and Theological...
Claremont Lincoln University is an online graduate school specializing in socially conscious teachings with a foundation in the Golden Rule. CLU offers eight master’s degree programs in progressive fields of study such as Ethical Leadership, Social...
Established in 1885, Claremont School of Theology is a private, Christ-centered institution located in California. CST offers master’s and a doctoral programs in both Divinity and Religion, a Master of Theological Studies, and a Doctor of Philosophy...
Clovis Community College is a 2-year community college in California’s Central Valley and part of the State Center Community College District. Clovis confers associate degrees in 33 academic fields of study and is home to 27 certificate-granting...
Established in 1994, Community Christian College is a 2-year, Christ-centered institution located in Redlands, California, with a satellite center located in Fontana. CCC offers associate’s degree programs in Liberal Arts, Bible and Theology, and...
The Dell’Arte International School of Physical Theatre is a training academy for actors in northern California. Dell’Arte offers a 1-year training program open to all and a 3-year Master of Fine Arts in Ensemble Based Physical Theater curriculum for...
Part of the Graduate Theological Union, the Dominican School of Philosophy & Theology is a Roman Catholic graduate school dedicated to preparing students for apostolic and academic vocations. Grounded in the teachings of St. Thomas Aquinas, DSPT...
Established in 1906, Dongguk University-Los Angeles is a private, medical education institution located in California. DULA offers a 3-year master’s degree in Oriental Medicine, which features language tracks in English, Korean, and Chinese, as well...
The Downey Adult School is an institution of higher education for adult and working students in the greater Los Angeles area. In addition to ESL and GED courses, DAS offers career training classes in 13 vocational subjects. For students that need...
Fielding Graduate University is a grad school with an adult-centered and practice-oriented curriculum. Featuring a collaborative learning model, Fielding offers interdisciplinary master’s degrees and doctorates in Psychology, Education, Counseling...
Established as one of the first colleges of traditional Chinese medicine in the United States, Five Branches University is a school of acupuncture and Chinese medical arts with two campuses in Santa Cruz and San José. FBU offers a master’s degree and...
Folsom Lake College is a 2-year institution with a main campus and two outreach centers in northern California. Among FLC’s 50 academic divisions, the Gerontology program offers courses to study the aging process and to plan ways for senior citizens...
Because it's such a small school, the classes are small and the teachers really care and make an effort to get to know you. This is a great school that gives you as much as you put into it, and the small class sizes and caring teachers really make a...
” – Melissa from Folsom, CAAffiliated with the University of San Diego, the Franciscan School of Theology is a Roman Catholic institution and the only Franciscan seminary in the United States. Franciscan offers three master’s degree programs in Divinity, Arts, and Theological...
From its Pasadena campus, Fuller Theological Seminary is an evangelical graduate institution training Christians for leadership in the theological and professional fields. Fuller is composed of three schools of Theology, Psychology, and Intercultural...
This school offers a diverse, genuine, and friendly student body. The academics are rich and challenging. The location is also beautiful.
” – Rebecca from Pasadena, CAThe Graduate Theological Union is a non-denominational graduate center for the study of religion comprised of eight member schools, five academic centers, and four affiliates. GTU is home to four interdisciplinary departments of Sacred Texts, Ethics...
