2026 Rankings · CA

Best Colleges in California

548 ranked colleges in California out of 5,439 nationally

548
Schools in CA
309
Full Data Rankings
239
Partial Data Rankings
5,439
Ranked Nationally

Top Colleges in California

Showing 1-10 of 548 schools
#1 in CA #13 nationally
#1

Los Angeles, CA

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
82.4 / 100
82.4
Completion
77.4%
89%
Retention
97%
91%
Productivity
15392 completions
51%

University of California-Los Angeles is a top-performing institution in the overall ranking with a score of 82, ranking in the 99th percentile for institutional scale.

The college enrolls 47,335 students with in-state tuition of $11,834 (excl. fees).

77% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 89th percentile nationally for completion.

#2 in CA #16 nationally
#2

Stanford, CA

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
81.5 / 100
81.5
Completion
94.4%
98%
Retention
98%
92%
Productivity
5549 completions
45%

Stanford University is a top-performing institution in the overall ranking with a score of 82, ranking in the 98th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 18,625 students with in-state tuition of $61,731 (excl. fees).

94% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 98th percentile nationally for completion.

#3 in CA #25 nationally
#3

La Jolla, CA

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
79.6 / 100
79.6
Completion
89.6%
96%
Retention
94%
88%
Productivity
12710 completions
42%

University of California-San Diego scores above average in the overall ranking at 80, ranking in the 99th percentile for institutional scale.

The college enrolls 44,256 students with in-state tuition of $11,834 (excl. fees).

90% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 96th percentile nationally for completion.

#4 in CA #44 nationally
#4

Malibu, CA

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
77.7 / 100
77.7
Completion
83.2%
92%
Retention
86%
76%
Productivity
3334 completions
58%

Pepperdine University scores above average in the overall ranking at 78, ranking in the 92th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 8,976 students with in-state tuition of $65,990 (excl. fees).

83% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 92nd percentile nationally for completion.

#5 in CA #45 nationally
#5

Garden Grove, CA

Complete Data Private For-Profit
Overall Score
77.7 / 100
77.7
Completion
82.6%
92%
Retention
93%
87%
Productivity
468 completions
99%

Concorde Career College-Garden Grove scores above average in the overall ranking at 78, ranking in the 99th percentile for program productivity.

The college enrolls 214 students.

83% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 92nd percentile nationally for completion.

#6 in CA #46 nationally
#6

Davis, CA

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
77.6 / 100
77.6
Completion
83.9%
93%
Retention
93%
87%
Productivity
11326 completions
41%

University of California-Davis scores above average in the overall ranking at 78, ranking in the 99th percentile for institutional scale.

The college enrolls 40,065 students with in-state tuition of $11,834 (excl. fees).

84% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 93rd percentile nationally for completion.

#7 in CA #59 nationally
#7

Berkeley, CA

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
76.9 / 100
76.9
Completion
87%
95%
Retention
97%
91%
Productivity
15348 completions
52%

University of California-Berkeley scores above average in the overall ranking at 77, ranking in the 99th percentile for institutional scale.

The college enrolls 45,882 students with in-state tuition of $11,834 (excl. fees).

87% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 95th percentile nationally for completion.

#8 in CA #65 nationally
#8

Los Angeles, CA

Complete Data Private For-Profit
Overall Score
76.3 / 100
76.3
Completion
98.1%
99%
Retention
100%
93%
Productivity
72 completions
90%

ABCO Technology scores above average in the overall ranking at 76, ranking in the 99th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 75 students.

98% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 99th percentile nationally for completion.

#9 in CA #68 nationally
#9

Irvine, CA

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
76.2 / 100
76.2
Completion
76.7%
88%
Retention
94%
88%
Productivity
11477 completions
47%

University of California-Irvine scores above average in the overall ranking at 76, ranking in the 99th percentile for institutional scale.

The college enrolls 37,297 students with in-state tuition of $11,834 (excl. fees).

77% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 88th percentile nationally for completion.

#10 in CA #75 nationally
#10

Los Angeles, CA

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
75.8 / 100
75.8
Completion
68.5%
80%
Retention
97%
91%
Productivity
18492 completions
60%

University of Southern California scores above average in the overall ranking at 76, ranking in the 99th percentile for institutional scale.

The college enrolls 46,566 students with in-state tuition of $66,640 (excl. fees).

69% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 80th percentile nationally for completion.

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