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 | $90,768 Median Earnings (10yr) | $6,476 | 29.8% | 85.2% | |
| #22 | Turlock, CA | $63,188 Median Earnings (10yr) | $3,218 | 97.5% | 58.0% | |
| #23 | Hayward, CA | $71,401 Median Earnings (10yr) | $8,059 | 96.8% | 45.5% | |
| #24 | San Marcos, CA | $62,908 Median Earnings (10yr) | $6,812 | 95.7% | 54.2% | |
| #25 | Los Angeles, CA | $92,498 Median Earnings (10yr) | $15,470 | 10.0% | 92.0% | |
| #26 | Bakersfield, CA | $59,009 Median Earnings (10yr) | $3,070 | 88.2% | 49.3% | |
| #27 | Pasadena, CA | $128,566 Median Earnings (10yr) | $1,667 | 3.1% | 93.2% | |
| #28 | Santa Cruz, CA | $68,396 Median Earnings (10yr) | $9,472 | 62.5% | 74.5% | |
| #29 | Merced, CA | $64,368 Median Earnings (10yr) | $8,572 | 39.2% | 69.2% | |
| #30 | Chico, CA | $64,172 Median Earnings (10yr) | $10,045 | 93.7% | 63.6% | |
| #31 | Claremont Mckenna CollegePrivate | Claremont, CA | $104,736 Median Earnings (10yr) | $13,267 | 11.1% | 95.2% |
| #32 | Camarillo, CA | $62,152 Median Earnings (10yr) | $7,077 | 93.1% | 53.4% | |
| #33 | Harvey Mudd CollegePrivate | Claremont, CA | $138,687 Median Earnings (10yr) | $17,340 | 13.1% | 93.8% |
| #34 | Seaside, CA | $59,247 Median Earnings (10yr) | $9,654 | 94.8% | 63.2% | |
| #35 | Sonoma State UniversityPublic | Rohnert Park, CA | $65,986 Median Earnings (10yr) | $9,406 | 94.7% | 60.5% |
| #36 | Los Angeles, CA | $72,379 Median Earnings (10yr) | $17,327 | 68.7% | 53.4% | |
| #37 | Pomona CollegePrivate | Claremont, CA | $77,779 Median Earnings (10yr) | $5,638 | 6.8% | 93.2% |
| #38 | Santa Clara UniversityPrivate | Santa Clara, CA | $109,183 Median Earnings (10yr) | $36,094 | 43.8% | 88.4% |
| #39 | University Of San FranciscoPrivate | San Francisco, CA | $89,812 Median Earnings (10yr) | $31,741 | 50.8% | 71.1% |
| #40 | Fresno Pacific UniversityPrivate | Fresno, CA | $58,896 Median Earnings (10yr) | $13,059 | 57.5% | 55.9% |
