For students + families
California Colleges
at a Glance
A quick reference to California’s four-year colleges + universities.
Data shown from the most recent available year — admissions + enrollment Fall 2024, costs 2025–26. College names link to each institution’s official website.
◆Also participates in WUE, for students from other Western states (see WUE Colleges at a Glance).
University of California 9 colleges
| College | Location | Type | UndergradsFall 2024 | Admit rateFall 2024 | Tuition + fees2025–26 | Annual cost2025–26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UC Berkeley | Berkeley, CA | Public | 33,100 | 11% | $17,200 | $47,800 |
| UC Davis | Davis, CA | Public | 32,300 | 42% | $17,300 | $43,200 |
| UC Irvine | Irvine, CA | Public | 30,200 | 29% | $16,200 | $39,200 |
| UCLA | Los Angeles, CA | Public | 33,500 | 9% | $15,700 | $41,400 |
| UC Merced◆ | Merced, CA | Public | 8,400 | 91% | $16,300 | $41,000 |
| UC Riverside | Riverside, CA | Public | 22,600 | 76% | $16,100 | $38,400 |
| UC San Diego | La Jolla, CA | Public | 34,900 | 27% | $17,300 | $41,700 |
| UC Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara, CA | Public | 23,100 | 33% | $17,000 | $44,800 |
| UC Santa Cruz | Santa Cruz, CA | Public | 17,900 | 66% | $16,600 | $43,900 |
- Location
- Berkeley, CA
- Type
- Public
- Undergrads
- 33,100
- Admit rate
- 11%
- Tuition + fees
- $17,200
- Annual cost
- $47,800
- Location
- Davis, CA
- Type
- Public
- Undergrads
- 32,300
- Admit rate
- 42%
- Tuition + fees
- $17,300
- Annual cost
- $43,200
- Location
- Irvine, CA
- Type
- Public
- Undergrads
- 30,200
- Admit rate
- 29%
- Tuition + fees
- $16,200
- Annual cost
- $39,200
- Location
- Los Angeles, CA
- Type
- Public
- Undergrads
- 33,500
- Admit rate
- 9%
- Tuition + fees
- $15,700
- Annual cost
- $41,400
- Location
- Merced, CA
- Type
- Public
- Undergrads
- 8,400
- Admit rate
- 91%
- Tuition + fees
- $16,300
- Annual cost
- $41,000
- Location
- Riverside, CA
- Type
- Public
- Undergrads
- 22,600
- Admit rate
- 76%
- Tuition + fees
- $16,100
- Annual cost
- $38,400
- Location
- La Jolla, CA
- Type
- Public
- Undergrads
- 34,900
- Admit rate
- 27%
- Tuition + fees
- $17,300
- Annual cost
- $41,700
- Location
- Santa Barbara, CA
- Type
- Public
- Undergrads
- 23,100
- Admit rate
- 33%
- Tuition + fees
- $17,000
- Annual cost
- $44,800
- Location
- Santa Cruz, CA
- Type
- Public
- Undergrads
- 17,900
- Admit rate
- 66%
- Tuition + fees
- $16,600
- Annual cost
- $43,900
California State University 22 colleges
| College | Location | Type | UndergradsFall 2024 | Admit rateFall 2024 | Tuition + fees2025–26 | Annual cost2025–26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cal Poly Humboldt◆ | Arcata, CA | Public | 5,600 | 98% | $8,800 | $27,000 |
| Cal Poly Pomona◆ | Pomona, CA | Public | 25,000 | 75% | $8,100 | $22,600 |
| Cal Poly San Luis Obispo | San Luis Obispo, CA | Public | 22,000 | 31% | $15,000 | $36,500 |
| Cal State Bakersfield◆ | Bakersfield, CA | Public | 8,600 | 94% | $8,500 | $18,500 |
| Cal State Channel Islands◆ | Camarillo, CA | Public | 5,000 | 95% | $7,600 | $23,400 |
| Cal State Dominguez Hills◆ | Carson, CA | Public | 12,500 | 93% | $7,900 | $22,800 |
| Cal State East Bay◆ | Hayward, CA | Public | 9,800 | 97% | $8,000 | $20,800 |
| Cal State Fullerton◆ | Fullerton, CA | Public | 38,500 | 91% | $8,000 | $17,800 |
| Cal State LA◆ | Los Angeles, CA | Public | 19,600 | 91% | $7,500 | $17,800 |
| Cal State Monterey Bay◆ | Seaside, CA | Public | 6,800 | 97% | $8,100 | $27,500 |
| Cal State Northridge◆ | Northridge, CA | Public | 32,700 | 93% | $7,800 | $20,000 |
| Cal State San Bernardino◆ | San Bernardino, CA | Public | 15,000 | 94% | $8,500 | $17,000 |
| Cal State San Marcos◆ | San Marcos, CA | Public | 14,900 | 95% | $8,500 | $23,100 |
| Chico State◆ | Chico, CA | Public | 13,600 | 93% | $8,900 | $26,800 |
| Fresno State | Fresno, CA | Public | 21,600 | 95% | $8,200 | $19,600 |
| Long Beach State | Long Beach, CA | Public | 35,900 | 46% | $8,300 | $22,900 |
| Sacramento State◆ | Sacramento, CA | Public | 28,400 | 94% | $9,000 | $25,900 |
| San Diego State | San Diego, CA | Public | 35,400 | 36% | $9,200 | $26,000 |
| San Francisco State◆ | San Francisco, CA | Public | 18,600 | 96% | $8,300 | $25,200 |
| San José State◆ | San Jose, CA | Public | 27,600 | 85% | $8,800 | $28,900 |
| Sonoma State◆ | Rohnert Park, CA | Public | 5,200 | 93% | $9,100 | $24,900 |
| Stanislaus State◆ | Turlock, CA | Public | 8,400 | 98% | $8,700 | $17,600 |
- Location
- Arcata, CA
- Type
- Public
- Undergrads
- 5,600
- Admit rate
- 98%
- Tuition + fees
- $8,800
- Annual cost
- $27,000
- Location
- Pomona, CA
- Type
- Public
- Undergrads
- 25,000
- Admit rate
- 75%
- Tuition + fees
- $8,100
- Annual cost
- $22,600
- Location
- San Luis Obispo, CA
- Type
- Public
- Undergrads
- 22,000
- Admit rate
- 31%
- Tuition + fees
- $15,000
- Annual cost
- $36,500
- Location
- Bakersfield, CA
- Type
- Public
- Undergrads
- 8,600
- Admit rate
- 94%
- Tuition + fees
- $8,500
- Annual cost
- $18,500
- Location
- Camarillo, CA
- Type
- Public
- Undergrads
- 5,000
- Admit rate
- 95%
- Tuition + fees
- $7,600
- Annual cost
- $23,400
- Location
- Carson, CA
- Type
- Public
- Undergrads
- 12,500
- Admit rate
- 93%
- Tuition + fees
- $7,900
- Annual cost
- $22,800
- Location
- Hayward, CA
- Type
- Public
- Undergrads
- 9,800
- Admit rate
- 97%
- Tuition + fees
- $8,000
- Annual cost
- $20,800
- Location
- Fullerton, CA
- Type
- Public
- Undergrads
- 38,500
- Admit rate
- 91%
- Tuition + fees
- $8,000
- Annual cost
- $17,800
- Location
- Los Angeles, CA
- Type
- Public
- Undergrads
- 19,600
- Admit rate
- 91%
- Tuition + fees
- $7,500
- Annual cost
- $17,800
- Location
- Seaside, CA
- Type
- Public
- Undergrads
- 6,800
- Admit rate
- 97%
- Tuition + fees
- $8,100
- Annual cost
- $27,500
- Location
- Northridge, CA
- Type
- Public
- Undergrads
- 32,700
- Admit rate
- 93%
- Tuition + fees
- $7,800
- Annual cost
- $20,000
- Location
- San Bernardino, CA
- Type
- Public
- Undergrads
- 15,000
- Admit rate
- 94%
- Tuition + fees
- $8,500
- Annual cost
- $17,000
- Location
- San Marcos, CA
- Type
- Public
- Undergrads
- 14,900
- Admit rate
- 95%
- Tuition + fees
- $8,500
- Annual cost
- $23,100
- Location
- Chico, CA
- Type
- Public
- Undergrads
- 13,600
- Admit rate
- 93%
- Tuition + fees
- $8,900
- Annual cost
- $26,800
- Location
- Fresno, CA
- Type
- Public
- Undergrads
- 21,600
- Admit rate
- 95%
- Tuition + fees
- $8,200
- Annual cost
- $19,600
- Location
- Long Beach, CA
- Type
- Public
- Undergrads
- 35,900
- Admit rate
- 46%
- Tuition + fees
- $8,300
- Annual cost
- $22,900
- Location
- Sacramento, CA
- Type
- Public
- Undergrads
- 28,400
- Admit rate
- 94%
- Tuition + fees
- $9,000
- Annual cost
- $25,900
- Location
- San Diego, CA
- Type
- Public
- Undergrads
- 35,400
- Admit rate
- 36%
- Tuition + fees
- $9,200
- Annual cost
- $26,000
- Location
- San Francisco, CA
- Type
- Public
- Undergrads
- 18,600
- Admit rate
- 96%
- Tuition + fees
- $8,300
- Annual cost
- $25,200
- Location
- San Jose, CA
- Type
- Public
- Undergrads
- 27,600
- Admit rate
- 85%
- Tuition + fees
- $8,800
- Annual cost
- $28,900
- Location
- Rohnert Park, CA
- Type
- Public
- Undergrads
- 5,200
- Admit rate
- 93%
- Tuition + fees
- $9,100
- Annual cost
- $24,900
- Location
- Turlock, CA
- Type
- Public
- Undergrads
- 8,400
- Admit rate
- 98%
- Tuition + fees
- $8,700
- Annual cost
- $17,600
Private Colleges & Universities 30 colleges
| College | Location | Type | UndergradsFall 2024 | Admit rateFall 2024 | Tuition + fees2025–26 | Annual cost2025–26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | Private | 2,800 | 88% | $45,300 | $57,200 |
| Biola University | La Mirada, CA | Private | 3,500 | 74% | $50,900 | $65,300 |
| California Baptist University | Riverside, CA | Private | 8,200 | 85% | $42,800 | $54,400 |
| California Lutheran University | Thousand Oaks, CA | Private | 2,300 | 76% | $54,500 | $70,800 |
| Caltech | Pasadena, CA | Private | 1,000 | 3% | $68,200 | $90,800 |
| Chapman University | Orange, CA | Private | 7,500 | 65% | $67,900 | $85,300 |
| Claremont McKenna College | Claremont, CA | Private | 1,400 | 10% | $72,100 | $91,500 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | Private | 1,100 | 84% | $53,700 | $73,600 |
| Harvey Mudd College | Claremont, CA | Private | 900 | 13% | $73,100 | $93,100 |
| Loyola Marymount University | Los Angeles, CA | Private | 7,100 | 45% | $65,900 | $88,700 |
| Mount Saint Mary's University | Los Angeles, CA | Private | 1,700 | 73% | $51,100 | $69,100 |
| Occidental College | Los Angeles, CA | Private | 1,900 | 44% | $68,700 | $88,700 |
| Pepperdine University | Malibu, CA | Private | 3,600 | 63% | $72,700 | $95,200 |
| Pitzer College | Claremont, CA | Private | 1,200 | 25% | $67,800 | $89,700 |
| Point Loma Nazarene University | San Diego, CA | Private | 3,200 | 84% | $48,400 | $65,000 |
| Pomona College | Claremont, CA | Private | 1,700 | 7% | $68,700 | $89,400 |
| Saint Mary's College of California | Moraga, CA | Private | 1,900 | 87% | $59,800 | $80,700 |
| Santa Clara University | Santa Clara, CA | Private | 6,600 | 48% | $63,500 | $84,300 |
| Scripps College | Claremont, CA | Private | 1,100 | 38% | $68,500 | $90,900 |
| Soka University of America | Aliso Viejo, CA | Private | 500 | 43% | $39,500 | $58,500 |
| Stanford University | Stanford, CA | Private | 7,600 | 4% | $68,500 | $92,900 |
| Thomas Aquinas College | Santa Paula, CA | Private | 600 | 83% | $31,000 | $45,900 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, CA | Private | 3,000 | 71% | $49,600 | $62,600 |
| University of Redlands | Redlands, CA | Private | 2,000 | 83% | $62,700 | $80,200 |
| University of San Diego | San Diego, CA | Private | 5,700 | 52% | $62,400 | $83,500 |
| University of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA | Private | 5,300 | 62% | $62,500 | $81,800 |
| University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA | Private | 20,400 | 10% | $75,200 | $95,000 |
| University of the Pacific | Stockton, CA | Private | 3,200 | 71% | $58,800 | $73,200 |
| Westmont College | Santa Barbara, CA | Private | 1,300 | 77% | $55,700 | $73,500 |
| Whittier College | Whittier, CA | Private | 800 | 81% | $52,900 | $64,700 |
- Location
- Azusa, CA
- Type
- Private
- Undergrads
- 2,800
- Admit rate
- 88%
- Tuition + fees
- $45,300
- Annual cost
- $57,200
- Location
- La Mirada, CA
- Type
- Private
- Undergrads
- 3,500
- Admit rate
- 74%
- Tuition + fees
- $50,900
- Annual cost
- $65,300
- Location
- Riverside, CA
- Type
- Private
- Undergrads
- 8,200
- Admit rate
- 85%
- Tuition + fees
- $42,800
- Annual cost
- $54,400
California Lutheran University
- Location
- Thousand Oaks, CA
- Type
- Private
- Undergrads
- 2,300
- Admit rate
- 76%
- Tuition + fees
- $54,500
- Annual cost
- $70,800
- Location
- Pasadena, CA
- Type
- Private
- Undergrads
- 1,000
- Admit rate
- 3%
- Tuition + fees
- $68,200
- Annual cost
- $90,800
- Location
- Orange, CA
- Type
- Private
- Undergrads
- 7,500
- Admit rate
- 65%
- Tuition + fees
- $67,900
- Annual cost
- $85,300
- Location
- Claremont, CA
- Type
- Private
- Undergrads
- 1,400
- Admit rate
- 10%
- Tuition + fees
- $72,100
- Annual cost
- $91,500
Dominican University of California
- Location
- San Rafael, CA
- Type
- Private
- Undergrads
- 1,100
- Admit rate
- 84%
- Tuition + fees
- $53,700
- Annual cost
- $73,600
- Location
- Claremont, CA
- Type
- Private
- Undergrads
- 900
- Admit rate
- 13%
- Tuition + fees
- $73,100
- Annual cost
- $93,100
- Location
- Los Angeles, CA
- Type
- Private
- Undergrads
- 7,100
- Admit rate
- 45%
- Tuition + fees
- $65,900
- Annual cost
- $88,700
- Location
- Los Angeles, CA
- Type
- Private
- Undergrads
- 1,700
- Admit rate
- 73%
- Tuition + fees
- $51,100
- Annual cost
- $69,100
- Location
- Los Angeles, CA
- Type
- Private
- Undergrads
- 1,900
- Admit rate
- 44%
- Tuition + fees
- $68,700
- Annual cost
- $88,700
- Location
- Malibu, CA
- Type
- Private
- Undergrads
- 3,600
- Admit rate
- 63%
- Tuition + fees
- $72,700
- Annual cost
- $95,200
- Location
- Claremont, CA
- Type
- Private
- Undergrads
- 1,200
- Admit rate
- 25%
- Tuition + fees
- $67,800
- Annual cost
- $89,700
Point Loma Nazarene University
- Location
- San Diego, CA
- Type
- Private
- Undergrads
- 3,200
- Admit rate
- 84%
- Tuition + fees
- $48,400
- Annual cost
- $65,000
- Location
- Claremont, CA
- Type
- Private
- Undergrads
- 1,700
- Admit rate
- 7%
- Tuition + fees
- $68,700
- Annual cost
- $89,400
Saint Mary's College of California
- Location
- Moraga, CA
- Type
- Private
- Undergrads
- 1,900
- Admit rate
- 87%
- Tuition + fees
- $59,800
- Annual cost
- $80,700
- Location
- Santa Clara, CA
- Type
- Private
- Undergrads
- 6,600
- Admit rate
- 48%
- Tuition + fees
- $63,500
- Annual cost
- $84,300
- Location
- Claremont, CA
- Type
- Private
- Undergrads
- 1,100
- Admit rate
- 38%
- Tuition + fees
- $68,500
- Annual cost
- $90,900
- Location
- Aliso Viejo, CA
- Type
- Private
- Undergrads
- 500
- Admit rate
- 43%
- Tuition + fees
- $39,500
- Annual cost
- $58,500
- Location
- Stanford, CA
- Type
- Private
- Undergrads
- 7,600
- Admit rate
- 4%
- Tuition + fees
- $68,500
- Annual cost
- $92,900
- Location
- Santa Paula, CA
- Type
- Private
- Undergrads
- 600
- Admit rate
- 83%
- Tuition + fees
- $31,000
- Annual cost
- $45,900
- Location
- La Verne, CA
- Type
- Private
- Undergrads
- 3,000
- Admit rate
- 71%
- Tuition + fees
- $49,600
- Annual cost
- $62,600
- Location
- Redlands, CA
- Type
- Private
- Undergrads
- 2,000
- Admit rate
- 83%
- Tuition + fees
- $62,700
- Annual cost
- $80,200
- Location
- San Diego, CA
- Type
- Private
- Undergrads
- 5,700
- Admit rate
- 52%
- Tuition + fees
- $62,400
- Annual cost
- $83,500
- Location
- San Francisco, CA
- Type
- Private
- Undergrads
- 5,300
- Admit rate
- 62%
- Tuition + fees
- $62,500
- Annual cost
- $81,800
University of Southern California
- Location
- Los Angeles, CA
- Type
- Private
- Undergrads
- 20,400
- Admit rate
- 10%
- Tuition + fees
- $75,200
- Annual cost
- $95,000
- Location
- Stockton, CA
- Type
- Private
- Undergrads
- 3,200
- Admit rate
- 71%
- Tuition + fees
- $58,800
- Annual cost
- $73,200
- Location
- Santa Barbara, CA
- Type
- Private
- Undergrads
- 1,300
- Admit rate
- 77%
- Tuition + fees
- $55,700
- Annual cost
- $73,500
- Location
- Whittier, CA
- Type
- Private
- Undergrads
- 800
- Admit rate
- 81%
- Tuition + fees
- $52,900
- Annual cost
- $64,700
Understanding the Numbers
- Admit rates
- Overall first-year admission for fall 2024, the most recent cycle in federal data. Rates do not predict an individual student’s chances; selectivity can vary significantly by major, program, and residency.
- Undergrads
- Undergraduate degree-seeking students only, fall 2024, rounded to the nearest 100.
- Tuition + fees
- Published annual tuition and required fees before financial aid. California-resident rates are shown for UC and CSU campuses.
- Annual cost
- Federally reported average cost of attendance: tuition, fees, housing, meals, books, transportation, and personal expenses. It blends living situations, so on-campus budgets, especially at CSU campuses, may be higher.
- Financial aid
- Published costs are not necessarily what a family will pay. Grants and scholarships can substantially reduce the cost. Use each college’s Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate.
- Data reporting
- Figures come from different reporting years and are rounded for readability. Verify all data with each college before making application or financial decisions.
Sources: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard (most recent release). Cal Maritime is now part of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and is not listed separately. Data compiled: October 2026.

Numbers are a starting point.
Fit is about much more than size, selectivity, and cost. Print the four-page reference to compare schools side by side.
Download the PDFFind the California schools that fit.
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