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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #21 | San Luis Obispo, CA | $90,662 Median Earnings (4yr) | $7,529 | 31.3% | 86.4% | |
| #22 | Hayward, CA | $72,596 Median Earnings (4yr) | $6,360 | 97.4% | 47.9% | |
| #23 | Santa Barbara, CA | $70,323 Median Earnings (4yr) | $9,231 | 33.0% | 83.0% | |
| #24 | Mt San Antonio CollegePublic | Walnut, CA | $51,460 Median Earnings (4yr) | $5,267 | — | — |
| #25 | Turlock, CA | $58,952 Median Earnings (4yr) | $3,938 | 98.1% | 53.4% | |
| #26 | Bakersfield, CA | $59,109 Median Earnings (4yr) | $3,536 | 93.8% | 49.8% | |
| #27 | Los Angeles, CA | $95,739 Median Earnings (4yr) | $13,516 | 9.8% | 91.8% | |
| #28 | Chico, CA | $65,228 Median Earnings (4yr) | $9,902 | 92.7% | 62.8% | |
| #29 | Pasadena, CA | $152,843 Median Earnings (4yr) | -$2,133 | 2.6% | 94.4% | |
| #30 | Palomar CollegePublic | San Marcos, CA | $82,130 Median Earnings (4yr) | $4,268 | — | — |
| #31 | Santa Cruz, CA | $67,085 Median Earnings (4yr) | $8,717 | 65.8% | 75.1% | |
| #32 | Long Beach City CollegePublic | Long Beach, CA | $51,407 Median Earnings (4yr) | $5,505 | — | — |
| #33 | Berkeley, CA | $108,517 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — | |
| #34 | Southwestern CollegePublic | Chula Vista, CA | $48,974 Median Earnings (4yr) | $11,380 | — | — |
| #35 | Pasadena City CollegePublic | Pasadena, CA | $48,980 Median Earnings (4yr) | $3,051 | — | — |
| #36 | Cerritos CollegePublic | Norwalk, CA | $54,818 Median Earnings (4yr) | $1,538 | — | — |
| #37 | Torrance, CA | $60,046 Median Earnings (4yr) | $4,319 | — | — | |
| #38 | Seaside, CA | $62,324 Median Earnings (4yr) | $9,970 | 97.4% | 59.1% | |
| #39 | Fresno City CollegePublic | Fresno, CA | $46,885 Median Earnings (4yr) | $7,450 | — | 23.5% |
| #40 | Santa Monica CollegePublic | Santa Monica, CA | $46,731 Median Earnings (4yr) | $1,896 | — | 36.3% |
