2023 best colleges in California

Take one part Massachussets' superior private universities and another part New York's excellent public college and university network, mix it in a beaker, and you got yourself California. Two networks of public universities - California State and University of California - offer the most affordable and convenient access to public education in the west (and arguably the country). While California State universities tend to be more vocationally driven, University of California unis - with crown jewels Berkeley, UCLA, and USC - are more research driven with more robust graduate offerings. And of course, Stanford is one of the country's top private universities.

Read more
Filters

125 Results (Showing 20 of 125)

  • California
  • Clear all filters
Sort By
Cost
Earnings
Rankings
Ranking methodology
#1 in California | #5 in National Universities

Stanford University

Stanford, California

Economic score 0.59

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $12,894

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $97,798

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 96%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#2 in California
Economic score 0.66

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $3,302

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $51,997

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 69%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#3 in California | #9 in National Universities
Economic score 0.79

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $26,542

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $112,166

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 94%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#4 in California
Economic score 0.89

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $4,026

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $47,340

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 66%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#5 in California | #11 in National Universities
Economic score 0.94

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $16,032

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $80,364

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 94%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#6 in California | #1 in Liberal Arts

Harvey Mudd College

Claremont, California

Economic score 1.05

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $33,467

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $108,988

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 92%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#7 in California | #16 in National Universities
Economic score 1.10

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $12,209

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $71,961

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 87%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#8 in California
Economic score 1.12

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $6,566

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $53,964

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 72%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#9 in California | #2 in Liberal Arts

Claremont McKenna College

Claremont, California

Economic score 1.12

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $21,993

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $86,571

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 91%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#10 in California | #21 in National Universities
Economic score 1.16

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $15,023

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $73,744

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 92%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#11 in California | #24 in National Universities
Economic score 1.22

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $6,230

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $52,201

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 71%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#12 in California
Economic score 1.25

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $21,743

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $91,461

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 69%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#13 in California | #25 in National Universities
Economic score 1.29

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $8,003

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $54,586

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 79%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#14 in California | #27 in National Universities
Economic score 1.30

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $15,240

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $74,771

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 89%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#15 in California
Economic score 1.41

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $7,454

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $52,606

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 59%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#16 in California | #6 in Liberal Arts

Pomona College

Claremont, California

Economic score 1.42

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $17,949

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $69,149

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 95%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#17 in California | #37 in National Universities
Economic score 1.46

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $15,768

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $69,766

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 89%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#18 in California | #40 in National Universities
Economic score 1.48

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $13,298

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $60,920

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 70%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#19 in California | #41 in National Universities
Economic score 1.49

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $10,054

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $57,123

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 82%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#20 in California | #42 in National Universities
Economic score 1.50

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $16,252

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $66,491

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 86%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

Show more

Explore our other rankings

The top national universities

Set yourself up for success by attending one of the country's best national universities, renowned for academic excellence and research.

The most affordable colleges of 2023

Save money, reduce student debt, and bank on a more stable financial future by attending an affordable college.

Colleges with the highest-paid students in America - 2023

Invest in your future success with a college that consistently produces high-earning graduates.

The best need-blind colleges and universities of 2023

Need-blind schools admit applicants regardless of their ability to pay and often meet demonstrated financial need with grants, not loans.

The best test-optional colleges and universities in the U.S.

Test blind schools make admissions decisions based on your academic accomplishments and personal experiences rather than standardized test scores.

The best public colleges and universities of 2023

Public universities offer lower tuition and diverse programs, making quality higher education more accessible.