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.

Fullerton, CA

Founded in 1913, Fullerton College is a 2-year community college in Orange County and the oldest community college in California. Fullerton awards associate degrees in 122 areas of study and is also home to over 100 certificate-granting programs. For...

“…

I've been here since Summer 2009, and all I can say about this college is that I love it. I've taken art/dance history classes, business classes, music, oceanography classes and so much more! This college offers so many wonderful classes but most...

” – Anonymous from Fullerton, CA

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acceptance rate

Public

type of institution

2 Year

level of institution

Suburb or town

campus setting

$5,794

average net price

18,370

number of students

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California State University-Stanislaus

Turlock, 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

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97%

acceptance rate

Public

type of institution

4 Year

level of institution

Suburb or town

campus setting

$6,019

average net price

10,154

number of students

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Bakersfield College

Bakersfield, CA

Bakersfield College is a public community college with an open admissions policy. The institution houses the William M. Thomas Planetarium, a 36-foot dome with a Chronos star projector, and the Levan Center, which focuses on research that promotes...

“…

the college serves 15,000 students on the 153-acre main campus in northeast bakersfield, at the weill institute in downtown bakersfield, and at the delano center 35 miles north of bakersfield. classes are offered on a traditional 16-week semester...

” – Student from Bakersfield, CA

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acceptance rate

Public

type of institution

4 Year

level of institution

Major city

campus setting

$4,720

average net price

26,873

number of students

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Westmont College

Santa Barbara, CA

Nestled in the Santa Barbara foothills, Westmont College is a Christian liberal arts college in southern California. Westmont confers bachelor’s degrees in 26 fields of study and is also home to 11 pre-professional academic programs. As a Christian...

“…

Westmont has a really talented, engaging body of faculty members. They are willing to engage with students and strike a really good balance between sharing their expertise and letting students expand and share their ideas. Of course, a lot of this...

”

average act composite

1222

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82%

acceptance rate

Private

type of institution

4 Year

level of institution

Suburb or town

campus setting

$31,145

average net price

1,284

number of students

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Long Beach City College

Long Beach, CA

Long Beach City College is a 2-year community college in the greater Los Angeles area. LBCC consists of two locations: The Liberal Arts Campus and the Pacific Coast Campus. A member of the California Community Colleges, LBCC is home to 11 academic...

“…

I was planning on going straight to a four year university right after graduating from high school but life had its way (this time) and I, not to happily, applied to go to LBCC. Now a student I can honestly say this school turned my frown upside down...

” – Vanessa from Long Beach, CA

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acceptance rate

Public

type of institution

2 Year

level of institution

Major city

campus setting

$3,066

average net price

22,402

number of students

Save to list

Point Loma Nazarene University

San Diego, CA

Founded by the Church of the Nazarene in 1902, Point Loma Nazarene University is a Christian liberal arts college in San Diego. PLU offers undergraduate degrees in over 60 fields of study and the university’s Office of Strengths and Vocation provides...

“…

The school has a great academic atmosphere. Because of the policy prohibiting drugs or alcohol on campus, students can focus on learning and enjoy their studies in a healthy environment. The school provides great opportunities for extra-curricular...

” – Adam Corfman from San Diego, CA

average act composite

1242

average sat composite

82%

acceptance rate

Private

type of institution

4 Year

level of institution

Major city

campus setting

$34,644

average net price

4,319

number of students

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Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA

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

average act composite

1044

average sat composite

76%

acceptance rate

Private

type of institution

4 Year

level of institution

Major city

campus setting

$28,111

average net price

2,440

number of students

Save to list

Pasadena City College

Pasadena, CA

Pasadena City College is a 2-year community college based in Pasadena, California. It operates four satellite campuses, the Northwest campus, Rosemead campus, Foothill campus, and a Child Development Center. PCC has an open admissions policy and a...

“…

After I graduated from High School I knew that going to a community college was my only option. A lot of people told me that it would be High School all over again, and I believed them that were until I finished my first year of college and started...

” – Jeffrey from Arcadia, CA

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acceptance rate

Public

type of institution

2 Year

level of institution

Small city

campus setting

$2,920

average net price

21,923

number of students

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National University

San Diego, CA

National University is a private not-for-profit institution with multiple locations throughout California and one campus in Nevada. NU provides concentrated programs aimed at adult learners with courses scheduled on weeknights and weekends. The...

“…

National University has a wide range of courses. Their instructors are quite diverse in knowledge and experience. Ever since I transferred here I stopped screwing around and got my academic path together, you kind of have no choice but to succeed...

” – Andrew from La Quinta, CA

average act composite

960

average sat composite

55%

acceptance rate

Private

type of institution

4 Year

level of institution

Major city

campus setting

$25,827

average net price

18,631

number of students

Save to list

California Institute of the Arts

Valencia, CA

The California Institute of the Arts is a private university that offers degree programs in visual and performing arts. CalArts offers degrees in more than 70 degree-granting programs in Art, Music, Dance, Theater, and Film, with all undergraduate...

“…

Really awesome if you know what you want. This university is all about the business, you don't want to muck around waiting for someone to tell you what you're going to do.

” – Marvin from Norwalk, CA

average act composite

1160

average sat composite

25%

acceptance rate

Private

type of institution

4 Year

level of institution

Suburb or town

campus setting

$59,367

average net price

1,440

number of students

Save to list

Cerritos College

Norwalk, CA

Founded in 1955, Cerritos College is a 2-year community college in the greater Los Angeles area and one of the five largest community colleges in LA County. Cerritos is home to 87 associate degree and certificate-granting programs in over 180...

“…

Cerritos is a great place to start off if you dont really know where you want to go or what you want to do for your future. The professors are nice and help you as much as they can, they want you to learn and will not make you feel dumb. They treat...

” – Gloria from Maywood, CA

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65%

acceptance rate

Public

type of institution

2 Year

level of institution

Suburb or town

campus setting

$4,022

average net price

19,469

number of students

Save to list

American River College

Sacramento, CA

Founded as a training center for civilian soldiers in World War II, American River College is a 2-year community college in California’s state capital of Sacramento. ARC confers associate degrees and certificates in over 80 academic fields of study...

“…

I am currently studying as a music major at American River College. The teachers are excellent and push you to become a better musician. For a community college, we have teachers that are willing to help their students through the internet, office...

” – Jessica from Sacramento, CA

average act composite

average sat composite

acceptance rate

Public

type of institution

2 Year

level of institution

Suburb or town

campus setting

$4,816

average net price

27,422

number of students

Colleges in California

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