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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #181 | Beaumont Adult SchoolPublic | Beaumont, CA | $58,318 Median Earnings (4yr) | $28,990 | — | — |
| #182 | Cet-CoachellaPrivate | Coachella, CA | $40,676 Median Earnings (4yr) | $15,500 | — | — |
| #183 | Cet-San JosePrivate | San Jose, CA | $40,676 Median Earnings (4yr) | $16,088 | — | — |
| #184 | Cbd CollegePrivate | Los Angeles, CA | $54,889 Median Earnings (4yr) | $22,935 | — | 82.1% |
| #185 | Humphreys College-ModestoPrivate | Salida, CA | $56,489 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — |
| #186 | Thousand Oaks, CA | $69,695 Median Earnings (4yr) | $22,161 | 75.7% | 69.6% | |
| #187 | Stockton, CA | $49,494 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — | |
| #188 | Clovis Community CollegePublic | Fresno, CA | $39,542 Median Earnings (4yr) | $3,529 | — | — |
| #189 | Loyola Marymount UniversityPrivate | Los Angeles, CA | $78,039 Median Earnings (4yr) | $32,268 | 45.1% | 78.9% |
| #190 | Concord, CA | $53,556 Median Earnings (4yr) | $7,579 | — | — | |
| #191 | Trinity Law SchoolPrivate | Santa Ana, CA | $51,985 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — |
| #192 | Cet-SalinasPrivate | Salinas, CA | $40,676 Median Earnings (4yr) | $6,580 | — | — |
| #193 | Victorville, CA | $44,779 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — | |
| #194 | Chapman UniversityPrivate | Orange, CA | $73,336 Median Earnings (4yr) | $33,559 | 65.4% | 81.9% |
| #195 | Cet-WatsonvillePrivate | Watsonville, CA | $40,676 Median Earnings (4yr) | $4,468 | — | — |
| #196 | College Of The SiskiyousPublic | Weed, CA | $57,487 Median Earnings (4yr) | $9,816 | — | — |
| #197 | Moraga, CA | $74,325 Median Earnings (4yr) | $19,462 | 86.5% | 70.3% | |
| #198 | Woodbury UniversityPrivate | Burbank, CA | $66,794 Median Earnings (4yr) | $28,815 | 81.7% | 60.0% |
| #199 | Columbia College - ImperialPrivate | Imperial, CA | $57,679 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — |
| #200 | Columbia College - San DiegoPrivate | San Diego, CA | $57,679 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — |
