There are 365 accredited colleges and universities in California. They admit an average of 58% of applicants, and the average net price after aid is $19,383 per year. Compare acceptance rates, SAT/ACT scores, and net prices — and see your personal admission chances for free.
Find Your Matches FreeSource: IPEDS & College Scorecard (U.S. Department of Education). Data updated April 2026.
The most selective and highly ranked accredited universities in California. Click any school for its acceptance rate, SAT/ACT scores, net price, and a free admission-chance estimate.
Data from IPEDS & College Scorecard. Browse all 3,500+ universities →
Universities in California with the lowest average net price after grants and scholarships (federal College Scorecard data).
| University | Location | Avg Net Price |
|---|---|---|
| University of the People | Pasadena, CA | $1,639 |
| Skyline College | San Bruno, CA | $1,738 |
| Hartnell College | Salinas, CA | $2,039 |
| Irvine Valley College | Irvine, CA | $2,090 |
| San Joaquin Delta College | Stockton, CA | $2,407 |
| Yuba College | Marysville, CA | $2,576 |
| Santa Monica College | Santa Monica, CA | $2,779 |
| Modesto Junior College | Modesto, CA | $2,818 |
| Taft College | Taft, CA | $2,823 |
| Shasta College | Redding, CA | $2,878 |
| Santa Ana College | Santa Ana, CA | $3,133 |
| San Diego Miramar College | San Diego, CA | $3,337 |
Data from IPEDS & College Scorecard. Browse all 3,500+ universities →
There are 365 accredited colleges and universities in California in Admit Coach's database, sourced from federal IPEDS data. They admit an average of 58% of applicants and cost about $19,383 per year after aid.
Stanford University is the highest nationally ranked university in California. The best college depends on your major, budget, and admission chances, though. Admit Coach ranks all 365 California colleges by your personal fit using your GPA and test scores, not just national reputation.
The average net price — the real cost after grants and scholarships — at colleges in California is about $19,383 per year. Admit Coach shows net price by five income brackets for every school, so you see the estimate for your family's income bracket, not just the sticker price.
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