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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #201 | Porterville CollegePublic | Porterville, CA | $36,940 Median Earnings (4yr) | $12,113 | — | — |
| #202 | Soka University Of AmericaPrivate | Aliso Viejo, CA | $53,646 Median Earnings (4yr) | $12,020 | 43.4% | 91.8% |
| #203 | Cet-SoledadPrivate | Soledad, CA | $40,676 Median Earnings (4yr) | $9,942 | — | — |
| #204 | Yuba City, CA | $36,445 Median Earnings (4yr) | $15,986 | — | — | |
| #205 | Simpson UniversityPrivate | Redding, CA | $59,198 Median Earnings (4yr) | $25,511 | 86.0% | 48.8% |
| #206 | Pitzer CollegePrivate | Claremont, CA | $69,786 Median Earnings (4yr) | $14,535 | 25.2% | 83.4% |
| #207 | Ventura, CA | $42,327 Median Earnings (4yr) | $9,761 | — | — | |
| #208 | Downey Adult SchoolPublic | Downey, CA | $39,366 Median Earnings (4yr) | $13,340 | — | — |
| #209 | Baldwin Park, CA | $38,116 Median Earnings (4yr) | $6,258 | — | — | |
| #210 | Columbia CollegePublic | Sonora, CA | $45,420 Median Earnings (4yr) | $10,095 | — | — |
| #211 | Monterey, CA | $71,188 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — | |
| #212 | San Diego, CA | $72,880 Median Earnings (4yr) | $30,999 | 83.7% | 77.2% | |
| #213 | San Francisco, CA | $52,742 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — | |
| #214 | Occidental CollegePrivate | Los Angeles, CA | $68,467 Median Earnings (4yr) | $20,705 | 44.2% | 80.9% |
| #215 | Northcentral UniversityPrivate | San Diego, CA | $75,912 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — |
| #216 | Art Center College Of DesignPrivate | Pasadena, CA | $74,009 Median Earnings (4yr) | $39,645 | 74.5% | 79.2% |
| #217 | Sacramento, CA | $45,986 Median Earnings (4yr) | $16,430 | — | — | |
| #218 | Westmont CollegePrivate | Santa Barbara, CA | $64,044 Median Earnings (4yr) | $20,899 | 77.0% | 70.3% |
| #219 | Santa Barbara, CA | $63,882 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — | |
| #220 | Scripps CollegePrivate | Claremont, CA | $75,301 Median Earnings (4yr) | $6,948 | 38.3% | 82.5% |
