Home to 91 ranked institutions, California offers a diverse higher education landscape ranging from research powerhouses like University Of California-San Diego to specialized regional colleges. With 35% public universities and 65% private colleges, graduates earn a median of $68,460 ten years after enrollment—significantly above national benchmarks.
Graduates from California institutions earn between $28,891 and $138,687 ten years after enrollment—$12,643 higher than the national average. University Of California-San Diego leads the rankings with the highest Azimuth Score of 2.8, while the top three schools demonstrate exceptional median earnings: UC Berkeley at $92,446, UC San Diego at $84,943, and UC Irvine at $80,735.
While University Of California-San Diego dominates the rankings, students looking for more accessible admissions should consider California State Polytechnic University-Pomona. With an acceptance rate of 73%, it offers a strategic alternative for students prioritizing strong outcomes without the competitive admissions typical of UC schools, proving that graduation rate excellence doesn't require exclusivity.
Compare net price, debt, and earnings scenarios
| Rank | School | Location | Earnings | Net Price | Acceptance Rate | Grad Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | La Jolla, CA | $84,943 Median Earnings (10yr) | $7,487 | 24.5% | 87.6% | |
| #2 | Irvine, CA | $80,735 Median Earnings (10yr) | $6,485 | 25.6% | 86.0% | |
| #3 | Berkeley, CA | $92,446 Median Earnings (10yr) | $5,895 | 11.7% | 92.9% | |
| #4 | Davis, CA | $80,838 Median Earnings (10yr) | $8,594 | 41.6% | 85.1% | |
| #5 | Long Beach, CA | $64,403 Median Earnings (10yr) | $5,477 | 47.1% | 69.9% | |
| #6 | Los Angeles, CA | $82,511 Median Earnings (10yr) | $6,864 | 8.7% | 92.7% | |
| #7 | Pomona, CA | $71,902 Median Earnings (10yr) | $7,599 | 73.7% | 66.7% | |
| #8 | Los Angeles, CA | $59,211 Median Earnings (10yr) | $2,855 | 91.9% | 52.6% | |
| #9 | Fullerton, CA | $62,951 Median Earnings (10yr) | $2,675 | 86.7% | 69.2% | |
| #10 | Northridge, CA | $59,115 Median Earnings (10yr) | $5,153 | 93.2% | 56.2% | |
| #11 | Sacramento, CA | $64,876 Median Earnings (10yr) | $7,306 | 93.6% | 55.8% | |
| #12 | San Jose, CA | $78,988 Median Earnings (10yr) | $9,743 | 80.2% | 64.6% | |
| #13 | Riverside, CA | $67,699 Median Earnings (10yr) | $8,240 | 63.3% | 76.6% | |
| #14 | Stanford UniversityPrivate | Stanford, CA | $124,080 Median Earnings (10yr) | -$79 | 3.9% | 92.8% |
| #15 | Fresno, CA | $61,244 Median Earnings (10yr) | $4,447 | 96.4% | 54.8% | |
| #16 | San Bernardino, CA | $59,977 Median Earnings (10yr) | $3,298 | 98.3% | 54.6% | |
| #17 | San Diego, CA | $64,909 Median Earnings (10yr) | $9,655 | 34.4% | 78.3% | |
| #18 | San Francisco, CA | $68,077 Median Earnings (10yr) | $9,307 | 96.2% | 50.1% | |
| #19 | Carson, CA | $57,162 Median Earnings (10yr) | $2,624 | 91.3% | 46.9% | |
| #20 | Santa Barbara, CA | $74,915 Median Earnings (10yr) | $7,745 | 27.8% | 85.3% |
