Best colleges in California

 

Choosing a college is one of the most important decisions a person will make for their education, impacting everything from future earnings and employment to potential student loan debt and social circles.

While every student wants to get the best education they possibly can, there are myriad considerations to take into account: location, size, diversity, areas of focus, study abroad opportunities—the list goes on.

While best college lists are often topped with the same handful of expensive Ivy League schools, the U.S. is home to more than 4,000 degree-granting schools spread out across all 50 states and several territories, with amazing education offerings for students to consider.

Stacker compiled a list of the best four-year colleges in California using 2027 rankings from Niche. Tuition, student-to-faculty ratio, acceptance rate, and graduation rate are among the factors considered in deciding these rankings. Online schools were excluded from the rankings. You can read more about Niche’s methodology here.

Keep reading to see the best schools in your state.

#10. University of California – Davis

– Location: Davis, CA
– Niche Grade: A+
– Acceptance Rate: 43%
– SAT Range: 1160-1400

#9. University of California – San Diego

– Location: La Jolla, CA
– Niche Grade: A+
– Acceptance Rate: 27%
– SAT Range: not available

#8. University of California – Berkeley

– Location: Berkeley, CA
– Niche Grade: A+
– Acceptance Rate: 11%
– SAT Range: 1310-1530

#7. University of Southern California

– Location: Los Angeles, CA
– Niche Grade: A+
– Acceptance Rate: 10%
– SAT Range: 1450-1550

#6. Claremont McKenna College

– Location: Claremont, CA
– Niche Grade: A+
– Acceptance Rate: 10%
– SAT Range: 1470-1560

#5. Pomona College

– Location: Claremont, CA
– Niche Grade: A+
– Acceptance Rate: 7%
– SAT Range: 1490-1560

#4. University of California – Los Angeles

– Location: Los Angeles, CA
– Niche Grade: A+
– Acceptance Rate: 9%
– SAT Range: not available

#3. Harvey Mudd College

– Location: Claremont, CA
– Niche Grade: A+
– Acceptance Rate: 13%
– SAT Range: 1500-1570

#2. California Institute of Technology

– Location: Pasadena, CA
– Niche Grade: A+
– Acceptance Rate: 3%
– SAT Range: 1530-1580

#1. Stanford University

– Location: Stanford, CA
– Niche Grade: A+
– Acceptance Rate: 4%
– SAT Range: 1510-1580