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.

Laguna Beach, CA

The Laguna College of Art and Design is a private college of fine arts in Laguna Beach, California. LCAD offers undergraduate degrees in 10 art and design-related fields of study such as Animation, Game Art, and Graphic Design and the college also...

“…

It's a great school for people who are interested in small classes with the focus on the students. The classes work you as hard as any other school and fun to take. The school is located near the beach, also allowing you to walk around the...

” – Student

average act composite

average sat composite

83%

acceptance rate

Private

type of institution

4 Year

level of institution

Suburb or town

campus setting

$37,560

average net price

766

number of students

Save to list

Merritt College

Oakland, CA

Merritt College is a 2-year community college in Oakland. Among Merritt’s more than 60 academic disciplines, its African American, Native American, Ethnic, and Mexican & Latin American Studies programs provide an exploration of the diverse cultures...

“…

I love Merritt College in Oakland, CA. It is very calm and the teachers really care about their students. It is a great school to go to if you are a motivated student.

” – Jordan from Berkeley, CA

average act composite

average sat composite

acceptance rate

Public

type of institution

2 Year

level of institution

Major city

campus setting

$10,443

average net price

6,289

number of students

Save to list

Woodland Community College

Woodland, CA

Woodland Community College is a 2-year institution in the Sacramento metro area. WCC confers degrees and certificates from programs of study in the college’s Social Sciences, Fine Arts & Humanities, Mathematics & Science, and Career & Technical...

average act composite

average sat composite

acceptance rate

Public

type of institution

2 Year

level of institution

Suburb or town

campus setting

$4,001

average net price

3,227

number of students

Save to list

Alliant International University-San Diego

San Diego, CA

Alliant International University is a private for-profit institution based in San Diego, California. Alliant operates multiple campuses around the state. Students can opt for the “Fast-Track” and take graduate level courses during their last year of...

“…

I have great professors and they are very invested in you being able to understand. They want you to learn

” – Dorothy from Anaheim, CA

average act composite

average sat composite

100%

acceptance rate

Private

type of institution

4 Year

level of institution

Major city

campus setting

$25,481

average net price

3,662

number of students

Save to list

California College of the Arts

San Francisco, 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, CA

average act composite

1160

average sat composite

78%

acceptance rate

Private

type of institution

4 Year

level of institution

Major city

campus setting

$43,687

average net price

1,630

number of students

Save to list

College of the Siskiyous

Weed, CA

The College of the Siskiyous is a 2-year community college located at the base of Mount Shasta. Its two campuses in northern California offer degrees and certificates in 34 areas of study as well as living space for 154 students. With its proximity...

“…

Great campus! Small class sizes ensure a personal experience in classes. I'm in it for the fire academy but I'm just as impressed with every other class I've taken.

” – Kenneth from Rescue, CA

average act composite

average sat composite

acceptance rate

Public

type of institution

2 Year

level of institution

Suburb or town

campus setting

$8,061

average net price

1,329

number of students

Save to list

San Diego Miramar College

San Diego, CA

San Diego Miramar College is a public, 2-year institution established in the state of California. The campus features a number of resource facilities for students to utilize, such as the Academic Success Center, which offers independent study spaces...

“…

miramar college has fantastic teachers and staff. the new campus, which is still in progress, is convenient with most classes in the same building. also the classes are not packed.

” – Catherine from Poway, CA

average act composite

average sat composite

acceptance rate

Public

type of institution

2 Year

level of institution

Major city

campus setting

$4,384

average net price

13,101

number of students

Save to list

West Hills College-Lemoore

Lemoore, CA

West Hills College in Lemoore is a 2-year community college and one of three campuses in the West Hills system. The Lemoore campus features courses in over 60 degree programs and 11 academic departments as well as a Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society...

average act composite

average sat composite

acceptance rate

Public

type of institution

2 Year

level of institution

Suburb or town

campus setting

$7,424

average net price

3,484

number of students

Save to list

Barstow Community College

Barstow, CA

Barstow Community College is a 2-year institution in southern California’s high desert region. BCC confers degrees and certificates in 13 academic departments and 15 career technical education divisions. The college’s career & technical facility...

average act composite

average sat composite

acceptance rate

Public

type of institution

2 Year

level of institution

Suburb or town

campus setting

$9,518

average net price

2,341

number of students

Save to list

Mendocino College

Ukiah, CA

With campus a short drive from Mendocino National Forest, Mendocino College is a 2-year community college in northern California. Mendocino is home to 53 associate degree fields of study and 34 certificate-granting programs. For students interested...

“…

Yes I hope

” – Laura from Kelseyville, CA

average act composite

average sat composite

acceptance rate

Public

type of institution

2 Year

level of institution

Suburb or town

campus setting

$5,948

average net price

3,269

number of students

Save to list

Samuel Merritt University

Oakland, CA

Samuel Merritt University is a school of health science with three campuses in northern California and the largest provider of physical and occupational therapists in the East Bay. SMU is home to five undergraduate degree programs and four doctorate...

average act composite

average sat composite

acceptance rate

Private

type of institution

4 Year

level of institution

Major city

campus setting

average net price

2,048

number of students

Save to list

Southern California Institute of Architecture

Los Angeles, CA

With campus located in a former freight depot, Southern California Institute of Architecture is a not-for-profit institution of architectural innovation in the urban arts district of Los Angeles. One of the only independent architecture schools in...

“…

You will work late hours. You will be swamped with assignments and projects. You either learn to pick up the pace or drop trying. You'll look back years later and experience brain seizures at the thought of how quickly you've learned to do the things...

” – bij

average act composite

1116

average sat composite

65%

acceptance rate

Private

type of institution

4 Year

level of institution

Major city

campus setting

$51,591

average net price

522

number of students

Colleges in California

Create a free account to find, finance and attend the college that's right for you.

Colleges by State