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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Originally founded in Seattle, Simpson University is a Christian liberal arts institution in northern California and the region’s only Christian university. Affiliated with the Christian and Missionary Alliance, Simpson grants undergrad degrees in 24...
Though the teachers may not be Nobel Prize winners, all the teachers are still very knowledgeable; my teacher, whom I have for my political science classes, used to be an attorney. My other professors, whether for General Ed or for my major (Social...
” – Anonymous
Mount Saint Mary’s University is a women's college located in Los Angeles, California. This Catholic, 4-year institution's campus is nestled high in the Santa Monica Mountains and offers more than 30 majors and concentrations. MSMU puts particular...
The teachers really get to know the students and there is a lot of individual, personalized attention given to the students. There is a lot of help provided to everyone either with the teacher, students or in the Learning Resource Center where there...
” – Lucia from Los Angeles, CA
Founded in 1884, Woodbury University is a 4-year institution located in Los Angeles, CA. Offering 26 fully-accredited professional and liberal arts undergraduate and graduate majors, classes average 15 students and the institution maintains a student...
i could not be happier coming here; i have never learned more in such a short period of time. the people who come here are amazing, the teachers are even better, and the work i'm producing is so different than my stuff i was working on a year ago...
” – Haley from Burbank, CA
Founded in 1928, Hope International University is a Christian university in Orange County affiliated with non-denominational churches of Christ. HIU is home to the Pacific Christian College of Ministry & Biblical Studies as well as four other...
I had the ability to sit in on quite a few classes and from Music Theory to John and the Apostles and I had already learned a lot. The teacher to student ratio is small, so you can from close relationships with teachers.
” – Tabitha from Downey, CA
Mills College is a private, liberal arts college located in Oakland, California. The college’s undergraduate program is exclusively open to women, though its graduate program is open to students of all genders. Mills has a unique core curriculum...
I am not only learning a lot academically, I am also learning a lot about myself. Campus life at Mills College makes it a perfect place to learn about who you are and what you believe. Something I have discovered while here.
” – Sarah from pomona, CA
Originally founded as The State College for Alameda County, California State University East Bay is a 4-year public university and a Bay Area-based campus in the Cal State system. Cal State East Bay is home to four colleges of Business, Science...
I have learned a lot in the 10 weeks that I have attended so far. The class sizes are nice, and I haven;t had much trouble getting the classes that I want. I have done well my first quarter, and I think I owe credit to CSUEB for that,
” – Brittni from Riverside, CA
Sonoma State University is a public school in California’s wine country and one of the smallest campuses in the California State University system. Sonoma State grants bachelor’s degrees in 46 academic programs including the only Wine Business...
I am planning to major in Criminal Justice and minor in psychology and they have really good programs for both of them. The classes are small (about only 20-30) with some classes as big as 80. I like that the classes are small enough for me to get...
” – Cassie From San Francisco, CA
California State University-Stanislaus is a designated Hispanic-serving institution in Turlock, CA, and part of the California State University system. It is the only campus to offer a bachelor’s degree in cognitive studies in the CSU system and...
The staff is always very helpful here and the Professors are knowledgeable and attentive. They create a great learning experience that allows the students to excel.
” – Alysha from Yucaipa, CA
Minerva University can be found in San Francisco California, Buenos Aires, Seoul, Berlin, London, and Hyderabad. Classes are taught through online seminars that focus on work, application, and arguing the topic rather than memorization.
A Global Liberal Arts College designed to train students to solve complex global problems and move the world forward. Minervans take all classes seminar-style and travel to 7 different cities over 4 years. It's fun, challenging and
” – Haziq Azizi from Malaysia
Humboldt State University is a 4-year public institution in Arcata, CA, and is the northernmost campus of the California State University system. HSU is an Hispanic-serving institution conferring bachelor’s degrees in 51 academic majors. HSU also...
My classes are all diverse, but you have to challenge yourself.
” – Hayley from Bothell, WA
Cogswell College is a for-profit institution in Silicon Valley specializing in creative technology industry training. Cogswell offers six bachelor’s degrees in technological fields such as Digital Audio Technology and Game Design Engineering as well...
Originally founded as a Bible school, Vanguard University of Southern California is a Christian liberal arts college in Orange County. Vanguard confers bachelor’s degrees in 32 fields of study. As a Christian institution, Vanguard holds chapel...
In my time at Vanguard, I have learned more than I possibly could have imagined in general education and theatre. They have provided me with multiple opportunities to gain experience and I couldn't have asked for more.
” – Amanda from Bakersfield, CAOtis College of Art and Design is a private school of fine arts and fashion design in Los Angeles. Otis grants bachelor’s degrees in seven art & design-centered majors such as Digital Media, Fashion Design, and Architecture. Additionally, all first...
OTIS is an amazing place, I went to a few other schools before settling down here and I learned more in the first weeks at OTIS than I did in and entire year at some other schools.
” – Nicole from Los Angeles, CA
Founded in 1907, California College of the Arts is a Bay Area-based school of art and design with campuses in San Francisco and Oakland. CCA is home to 22 undergraduate programs in core disciplines of Architecture, Fine Arts, Design, and Humanities...
I am deeply passionate about art. I have been drawing since i was a baby, and my love for creating has only grown since then. My technical skills were sub par prior to attending CCA. In my first semester i learned how to draw, how to REALLY draw. it...
” – Matthew from Oakland, CACalifornia State University Maritime Academy is located on a waterfront campus in Vallejo, one of seven degree-granting maritime academies in the US and the only one on the west coast. All students are part of the Corp of Cadets and are required to...
I think the school deserves at least a nine for two main reasons. One being that the campus is beautiful and enjoyable, especially considering it is right on the water but also close to other cities such as San Francisco. The other reason is that...
”Fresno Pacific University is a private Christian institution based in Fresno, California. It is affiliated with the Mennonite Brethren Churches. All academic programs offered at FPU highlight the importance of ethics, character development, and...
The student there seem to really love it, the campus is beautiful and the classes are small enough for one on one learning so you don't feel left behind. The school offers many various programs all with an underlying message of faith and God.
” – Kourinthia from Tulare, CA
California Baptist University is a private, Christian institution. With over 11,000 students, the 160-acre campus in Riverside, CA, features 10 schools and colleges that offer 80 bachelor’s degrees with Christ-centered curriculum in majors ranging...
Two of my favorite things about California Baptist University are the class sizes and the professors. You will have small classes and will have the opportunity to get to know your professors. I have only been at CBU for a semester but my largest...
” – Rebecca from Riverside, CA
California College of ASU is an independent nonprofit college offering career-centered creative arts degrees with a focus on the art and science of communications and the diverse media of contemporary storytelling. We are located in the heart of...
Columbia College Hollywood is very up to date and current with the classes they offer here. It is an excellent institution with manageable class sizes and one-on-one tutoring available. It features industry professionals and utilizes its proximity to...
” – Jonathan from Van Nuys, CA
California State University-Northridge is a public university in Los Angeles and one of the largest single-campus universities in the nation. CSU Northridge encompasses nine colleges and schools conferring 68 bachelor’s degrees. Additionally, CSUN...
The activities and parties are a lot of fun to participate in and the people are really fun to hang out with.
” – Kirk from Northridge, CA
California State University-Dominguez Hills is a 4-year public university in the greater Los Angeles area and part of the Cal State system. CSUDH hosts six colleges granting undergraduate degrees in over 40 academic majors. A diverse institution...
I am learning many different things at Dominguez. My first year here has really built a great foundation for the rest of my scholastic career. From easy tips to taking notes and easy study tips.
” – Current Business student