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California Colleges

Find California college programs that fit your lifestyle! Our website helps you discover the Golden State’s best college opportunities for your budget, schedule and career goals.

Find the Best Colleges in California

California dreaming? California colleges attract students from across America and around the world. With hundreds of schools to choose from, California has something for everyone: top public universities, top private schools, excellent community college networks, the west coast’s finest art colleges, and more… We help you narrow down the choices.

Quick Breakdown of California Colleges & Universities

If you play your education cards right – and make other smart decisions – you can realize your dreams in the Golden State. California is home to nearly 500 institutions of higher learning. Here are a few highlights.

  • The University of California system held its first classes in 1869 with a total enrolment of 38 students. This year nearly 250,000 students are taking classes on campus and online. The UC system primarily accepts top California students in addition to competitive out-of-state applicants. The University of California in Berkeley is the top public university in the world by many measures.
  • The California State University System is the largest state university system in the US. It serves about 460,000 students/year on 23 college campuses, eight off-campus learning centers and online. The CSU System is a leader in high quality, affordable online learning for undergraduates, graduate students and continuing education students.
  • The California Community Colleges System includes more than 100 colleges. Here you can earn an associate degree for professional advancement or earn credits for transfer to a four-year college degree program. California community colleges offer a wide range of learning settings. You can study with radio classes, TV courses, online courses, classes based in community centers such as shopping malls, classes on California campuses — and even overseas.

See our list of top California colleges & universities below.

Rank School Name City State Net Cost School Level Retention Rate Distance Learning
1

Academy for Jewish Religion-California

Los Angeles

CA

N/A

4 year

N/A

No

2

Academy for Salon Professionals

Canoga Park

CA

N/A

Vocational

90.91%

No

3

Academy for Salon Professionals

Santa Clara

CA

N/A

Vocational

82.86%

No

4

Academy of Art University

San Francisco

CA

N/A

4 year

76.44%

Yes

5

Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences

Oakland

CA

N/A

4 year

N/A

No

6

Academy of Couture Art

Beverly Hills

CA

N/A

4 year

100%

No

7

Academy of Esthetics and Cosmetology

San Fernando

CA

N/A

Vocational

100%

No

8

Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine College-Berkeley

Berkeley

CA

N/A

4 year

N/A

No

9

Adrian's College of Beauty Modesto

Modesto

CA

N/A

Vocational

88.37%

No

10

Adrian's College of Beauty Turlock

Turlock

CA

N/A

Vocational

86.79%

No

11

Advance Beauty College

Garden Grove

CA

N/A

Vocational

92.86%

No

12

Advance Beauty Techs Academy

San Jacinto

CA

N/A

Vocational

45.45%

No

13

Advanced Career Institute

Visalia

CA

N/A

Vocational

N/A

No

14

Advanced College

South Gate

CA

N/A

2 year

80%

Yes

15

Advanced Computing Institute

Los Angeles

CA

N/A

2 year

76.25%

No

16

Advanced Training Associates

El Cajon

CA

N/A

2 year

86.67%

No

17

Alhambra Beauty College

Alhambra

CA

N/A

Vocational

85.42%

No

18

Allan Hancock College

Santa Maria

CA

$6,192

2 year

74.7%

Yes

19

Alliant International University-San Diego

San Diego

CA

N/A

4 year

83.33%

Yes

20

Allied American University

Laguna Hills

CA

N/A

4 year

42.86%

Yes

21

American Academy of Dramatic Arts-Los Angeles

Los Angeles

CA

N/A

2 year

59.7%

No

22

American Baptist Seminary of the West

Berkeley

CA

N/A

4 year

N/A

Yes

23

American Beauty College

West Covina

CA

N/A

Vocational

60%

No

24

American Career College at St Francis

Lynwood

CA

N/A

Vocational

83.33%

No

25

American Career College-Anaheim

Anaheim

CA

N/A

2 year

74.33%

No

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Fun Facts about California

  • “The Grizzly Bear State” was the original name for California. Now, it’s known as “The Golden State.”
    -Both the summer and winter Olympics were held in the state.
  • The fortune cookie was born in California, but the original idea came from the Japanese fortune tradition, o-mikuji.
  • The most populous state in the country is California.
  • The first McDonald’s restaurant in the world was opened in San Bernardino, CA.
  • Blue jeans were invented here.
  • California produces the most grapes and wine in the United States.
  • More national parks are located in California than any other state in the country.

Start planning your education today! Use our site to find the best California colleges for your success.