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 | $83,130 Median Earnings (4yr) | $7,525 | 26.7% | 86.1% | |
| #2 | Berkeley, CA | $96,018 Median Earnings (4yr) | $5,311 | 11.0% | 92.8% | |
| #3 | Irvine, CA | $74,438 Median Earnings (4yr) | $8,123 | 28.6% | 86.9% | |
| #4 | Los Angeles, CA | $59,756 Median Earnings (4yr) | $2,877 | 91.3% | 53.0% | |
| #5 | Pomona, CA | $71,138 Median Earnings (4yr) | $7,851 | 75.2% | 68.4% | |
| #6 | Long Beach, CA | $63,140 Median Earnings (4yr) | $7,183 | 46.3% | 68.9% | |
| #7 | Davis, CA | $73,086 Median Earnings (4yr) | $9,211 | 41.8% | 85.7% | |
| #8 | Fullerton, CA | $63,753 Median Earnings (4yr) | $3,315 | 90.5% | 70.2% | |
| #9 | Sacramento, CA | $64,511 Median Earnings (4yr) | $6,501 | 94.0% | 56.3% | |
| #10 | Northridge, CA | $59,664 Median Earnings (4yr) | $4,905 | 93.5% | 57.0% | |
| #11 | San Jose, CA | $89,614 Median Earnings (4yr) | $9,730 | 84.6% | 69.2% | |
| #12 | Los Angeles, CA | $77,677 Median Earnings (4yr) | $5,579 | 9.0% | 92.6% | |
| #13 | Stanford UniversityPrivate | Stanford, CA | $136,959 Median Earnings (4yr) | -$2,536 | 3.6% | 91.9% |
| #14 | Fresno, CA | $59,992 Median Earnings (4yr) | $5,105 | 95.3% | 57.0% | |
| #15 | Riverside, CA | $64,926 Median Earnings (4yr) | $8,852 | 76.4% | 76.0% | |
| #16 | San Diego, CA | $68,268 Median Earnings (4yr) | $9,910 | 36.2% | 76.4% | |
| #17 | San Bernardino, CA | $55,441 Median Earnings (4yr) | $2,681 | 93.7% | 54.9% | |
| #18 | San Francisco, CA | $67,804 Median Earnings (4yr) | $9,341 | 96.4% | 50.4% | |
| #19 | Carson, CA | $58,922 Median Earnings (4yr) | $7,303 | 93.3% | 42.8% | |
| #20 | San Luis Obispo, CA | $90,662 Median Earnings (4yr) | $7,529 | 31.3% | 86.4% |
