Colleges In California WORK
Colleges in California offer students a variety of experiences with a mix of small liberal arts colleges and large research institutions located throughout the state. Dozens of the roughly 100 four-year, degree-granting institutions in California for which U.S. News has information are publicly funded. Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and the capital city of Sacramento are home to many of the top colleges in California.
colleges in california
The Best Colleges ranking is based on rigorous analysis of academic, admissions, financial, and student life data from the U.S. Department of Education along with millions of reviews from students and alumni. The ranking compares more than 1,000 top colleges and universities in the U.S. This year's rankings have reduced the weight of ACT/SAT scores to reflect a general de-emphasis on test scores in the college admissions process. Read more on how this ranking was calculated.
Are you thinking about attending college in California? Choosing a school can be daunting when you lack the right tools. It can be even harder to pick a school in a place like California, a state full of so many great school options. But here at Niche, we have all the tools you need to ensure that your decision-making process goes smoothly. Let us help you in your search for the best colleges in California. Our rankings are all 100% backed by facts, with a methodology based on data from academic, admissions, financial, student life, student outcomes, and student survey data, so you know that you are getting the best information possible with no bias.
On Niche, you will find that California is home to over 500 colleges and universities, a healthy mix of four-year and two-year institutions with program choices to meet your needs. Prestigious universities like Stanford University and the University of California - Los Angeles, among the best universities in California, offer world-renowned academic programs. They grant four-year bachelor and graduate degrees.
Two-year degree programs are great for any student, especially those looking for skills to enter the workforce. Two-year colleges typically offer transfer programs to make transferring into a four-year school later seamless. Several of the best-known two-year degree schools include Canada College and Lake Tahoe Community College.
California also has trade schools for students interested in learning a trade in two years or less. Trade schools tend to be less expensive than colleges and universities and offer programs that focus on high-skilled professions with high salary potential.
Busy dorms and student apartment complexes are hubs of campus life at four-year colleges throughout the state. Soon, residential campus life will be a reality at a growing number of California community college campuses as well. The state plans to spend $2.2 billion on student housing over three years, and a dozen community colleges have already been awarded construction grants totaling more than $500 million to build new dorms or expand existing ones.
The Harbour and another recently constructed student housing project at Imperial Valley College in El Centro offer a look into the future of student housing at the community college level. While the addition of affordable housing for these students can ease financial tension and provide a sense of community, colleges also must contend with concerns about safety, management accountability, and the need for other on-site services.
And demand for student housing at community colleges is only likely to grow: Another 70 colleges have been awarded smaller state grants to plan new projects, said California Community Colleges spokesperson Melissa Villarin.
Garcia was homeless before she moved into her tiny home, and believes that other colleges should pursue programs to house students struggling with housing insecurity, because the opportunity would lead to fewer students dropping out.
Other community colleges receiving state money to build student housing are also tailoring their projects to students with the most need. Compton College plans to build a four-story, 250-bed facility to house homeless and low-income students, with construction slated to start in 2024. Preliminary plans call for two buildings containing double rooms, suites and studio apartments arranged around a central courtyard with a playground and landscaping.
Meanwhile, some community colleges are moving ahead with long-planned projects. Santa Rosa Junior College plans to house more than 350 students in new dorms and apartments beginning in fall 2023. Prices will range from $990 per month for a shared double in the residence hall to $1,750 per month for a single room in a furnished, six-person apartment with living room and kitchenette.
Students evaluating online schools in California can expect an increase in online learning opportunities in the coming years. The OEI announced in June 2018 that it increased the number of colleges in its consortium from 23 to 56. This means nearly half of all California community colleges have expanded, or are in the process of expanding, their online program offerings, allowing more students to take advantage of distance learning.
Situated on a 1,200-acre campus overlooking the Pacific Ocean, UC San Diego is a very large research institution with over 36,000 total students. The school offers over 100 degrees and programs, such as engineering, global policy, medicine, oceanography, and social sciences. The university also provides distance education through UC San Diego Extension. Founded in 1966, UC San Diego Extension aims to expand the reach of the university's academic programs. Extension enlists business professionals and an advisory committee to assist with program development. Among the most comprehensive online colleges in California, the school currently offers more than 4,700 extension courses, many of which students complete online. Extension students can also earn a variety of certificates in a hybrid or fully online format.
Brandman's distance learners select from dozens of distance programs from the certificate to the post-doctoral level. Many degrees feature several specializations, including the master of business administration (MBA) which boasts 10 concentration areas. Master's in education students can choose from six focus areas. In addition, the school offers an accelerated BBA-to-MBA degree that students can complete entirely online. Unlike some other online colleges in California, Brandman requires incoming bachelor's students to complete 12 baccalaureate credits at an accredited institution. The school also expects applicants to hold at least a 2.0 GPA.
Unlike some other online colleges in California, CBU features unique bachelor's programs in kinesiology, Christian ministries, cybersecurity, and fitness management. The school also offers online options in more traditional fields such as nursing, information technology, psychology, and business administration. Master's degree options include communication, accounting, and education. Options for doctoral degrees include business and public administration.
Founded in 1891, the University of La Verne offers 60 undergraduate majors, 22 master's and doctoral programs, and many certificate options. The school enrolls students at six satellite campuses across California, including locations in Burbank, Irvine, and Ontario. La Verne also partners with military bases, community colleges, and businesses to make higher education more accessible. The school introduced its first online courses in 2000 and currently operates one of the best online colleges in California -- La Verne Online.
National University's broad selection of distance programs includes many unique options not found at other accredited online colleges in California. The school offers several bachelor of arts programs in social science, health sciences, and other fields that lead to a preliminary, single-subject teaching credential. Distance learners can also earn a bachelor's degree in digital journalism that prepares them to report and write stories for various audiences and mediums. Students interested in healthcare can pursue a bachelor's degree in public health, clinical laboratory science, or healthcare administration, among other areas. Other unique undergraduate options include online degrees in film arts, sport psychology, and homeland security.
The University of San Francisco is a private Jesuit Catholic institution established in 1855. The school offers 43 majors and over 70 minors, along with dozens of graduate, professional, and certificate programs. As one of the more flexible online colleges in California, USF offers courses and programs through several satellite campus locations in Sacramento, San Jose, Santa Rosa, and elsewhere.
Established in 1887, Chico State is the second oldest of the 23 schools in the California State University system. The school serves close to 18,000 students through 12 colleges and schools -- along with 27 centers and institutes. Students can choose from over 300 undergraduate and graduate programs of study, including majors, minors, credentials, certificates, and graduate programs.
One of the best online colleges in California for aspiring career counselors, Chico State boasts a three-course online program that leads to a career and life planning certificate from the National Career Development Association.
VUSC, a private, Christian liberal arts university in Costa Mesa, offers more than 30 undergraduate degrees across 14 departments. The school also offers master's degrees in six areas, including education, leadership, psychology, and theology. One of the best accredited online colleges in California for full-time professionals, VUSC delivers several professional studies programs to help students complete their degrees.
Students enrolled at CSUN go on to earn a degree from one of the best online colleges in California. The school holds regional accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, and many of CSUN's individual programs hold programmatic accreditation from well-respected specialty organizations. 041b061a72