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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Cañada College is a public institution located in San Mateo, California, that offers day, evening, and weekend classes. The college is home to an award-winning STEM Center, which serves as a valuable resource for students seeking additional...
The professors on campus are some of the best you'll find at any community college and in many cases they're nationally rated. Well compensated for their time, professors here are there to stay, and they really care deeply for their students. It also...
” – Drew from Redwood City, CA
With a main campus a short drive from Sequoia National Forest, Cerro Coso Community College is a 2-year college serving a four county area in eastern California. CCCC is home to 13 academic departments featuring over 45 degree and certificate...
Chabot College is a public, 2-year institution located in Hayward, California, that offers majors in six areas of study. The college features over 14 student support programs, such as the ASPIRE TRiO program and the Striving Black Brothers Coalition...
Before I went to Chabot I didn't think I was very smart and didn't have my true academic ability exposed. When I started classes here I realized my true intelligence and now I am excelling in all my classes.
” – Liv from Bay Area, CAChaffey College is a public community college based in Rancho Cucamonga, California. The school operates multiple campuses around the state in Rancho, Chino, and Fontana. Chaffey College has an open admissions policy and offers a federally funded...
I take the Broadcasting and Cinema classes so its very useful that I'm getting a hands on approach so I know what I'm doing.
” – Stephen from Rancho Cucamonga, CAFounded in 1915, Citrus College is the oldest community college in California. The 2-year institution serves the counties of Charter Oak, Claremont, Duarte, Monrovia, and Azusa. Citrus college confers associate degree, certifications of achievement...
Citrus College is a great college. There are many great students and teachers. The campus is really big and beautiful.
” – Lesly from Hesperia, CA
The City College of San Francisco is a public, 2-year institution with campuses located throughout San Francisco, California. The college offers a wide variety of unique programs of study, such as Floristry, Maker Studies, and Genetics. Free tuition...
There's a huge variety of majors to choose from and if you're not sure what career you want, then there are counselors who can help you find what you're looking for.
” – Brittani from Oakland, CAThe College of Alameda is a 2-year community college in the San Francisco Bay Area. Alameda offers degrees and certificates in 48 academic programs as well as career technical education courses. To provide hands-on demonstrations of classroom lessons...
The College of Marin is a public, 2-year institution established in California, with two facilities located in Kentfield and Novato. COM offers more than 40 associate’s degrees and certificates, many of which include courses that are available online...
The College of San Mateo is a public, 2-year institution established on a hillside, 153-acre campus nearby the San Francisco Bay. CSU offers over 70 career-related academic programs, as well as programs for transfer to California State University and...
I am learning as much as a communituy college would have to offer
” – Vincent from San Mateo, CA
College of the Canyons is a public community college based in the suburbs of Santa Clarita, California. The college has an open admissions policy. It is home to a 926-seat performing arts center as well as the Carl A. Rasmussen Amphitheater which is...
College of the Canyons has some great professors that truly care about your learning experience, and that aspect of this great community college has opened my ability to learn so much about some great new topics, for example I am currently taking a...
” – Karla Portillo from Canyon Country, CACollege of the Desert is a public, 2-year institution established in Palm Desert, California, with satellite locations in Indio, Thermal, Desert Hot Springs, and Palm Springs. COD is officially recognized as a Hispanic-serving institution, meaning...
Many of the teachers here are retirees, some of whom have previously taught at prestigious universities. I have had professors who have taught at USC, UCSB, UCR, UC Berkeley, Harvard, and even Yale. These teachers are heavily invested in educating...
” – Josiah from Palm Springs, CAFormerly part of El Camino College, Compton College is a 2-year institution in the Los Angeles area. Academic programs at Compton are divided into three divisions: Health, Natural Sciences, and Human Services, Arts & Social Sciences, and Humanities &...
Compton Center is a place you can really learn because the professors go every single objective and if you can understand they can really help you or if not there is a building just for students who need extra help in any subject. Yes, I am learning...
” – Salvador from Compton, CALocated in the northern edge of the Bay Area, Contra Costa College is the oldest campus in the Contra Costa Community College District. CCC is also the district’s most diverse college and has been designated an Hispanic Serving Institution. Among CCC...
Contra Costa often gets overlooked because it is a community college, but I have a different opinion about this school. Contra Costa is a great school! In my two years that I've been here I have learned so much. I feel like I have been prepared with...
” – Mia Janay from San Pablo, CACosumnes River College is a public, 2-year institution primarily located in Sacramento, California. Along with its main campus, the college also maintains a satellite campus in the city of Elk Grove. Students at CRC can opt to take some classes in an...
Cosumnes River college is highly diverse college with various education, club, and sport opportunities. The campus is spacious and organized very well. Also, the professors there are great and prepared to have a great semester as long as the students...
” – Angelica from Sacramento, CACrafton Hills College is a 2-year community college with the highest degree/certificate completion rate in California’s Inland Empire region. CHC offers majors in over 50 academic programs, including degrees in Respiratory Care and American Sign...
This college has small classes -- no more than 30 -- which allows individualized attention. Small class sizes enable students to ask questions; questions greatly enhance the learning process. A non-intimidating environment aids in a student's...
” – Gabriella from Yucaipa, CACypress College is a public two-year institution offering professional certifications and associate degrees. It is based in Cypress, California and is part of the California Community College System. Cypress College has an open admissions policy...
the teachers here are reallly into the materials they teach and its easier to learn when your teacher is excited and motivates you.
” – Julieta from Lakewood, CA
De Anza College is a public community college based in Cupertino, California, with an open admissions policy. The campus, considered the top Silicon Valley college for transferring students to 4-year universities, boasts the Euphrat Museum of Art...
Although De Anza College is a community college, I feel that you can get so much more out of this school rather than going straight into a university. The classes & teachers are there to help you reach your goal as much as they can, whether it's in...
” – Diana from San Jose, CA
Diablo Valley College is a 2-year public institution located in Pleasant Hill and San Ramon, California. DVC boasts high transfer rates, with many of its students continuing their college careers at CSU and UC. The campus features a number of...
Diablo Valley College has a variety of great professors that know what they are teaching. If you are focusing on a certain subject, DVC has the professors that you are looking for.
” – Shawn Steven from Antioch, CAEast Los Angeles College is a public, 2-year institution established in Monterey Park, California. The main campus, along with the satellite location in South Gate, serves 14 communities throughout its regional area. ELAC utilizes the Guided Pathways...
East Los Angeles College has been a great school for me. I was going to Cerritos after high school but it was so packed, so I did not want to wait another semester, so I decided to register at Elac. Although there are no waiting lists at ELAC the...
” – SheylaEl Camino College is a 2-year community college in the South Bay district of Los Angeles. El Camino offers transfer agreements with a number of 4-year colleges and universities and ranks second among all southern California community colleges in...
Most teachers here do a great job at teaching their subjects with the exception of a few of them. They have a great class selection to choose from so there's always something new to learn each semester.
” – Chain from L.A. County