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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #41 | Merced, CA | $65,410 Median Earnings (4yr) | $7,945 | 90.5% | 68.7% | |
| #42 | Shasta CollegePublic | Redding, CA | $71,612 Median Earnings (4yr) | $2,107 | — | 23.3% |
| #43 | Riverside City CollegePublic | Riverside, CA | $49,751 Median Earnings (4yr) | $6,931 | — | — |
| #44 | Contra Costa CollegePublic | San Pablo, CA | $95,545 Median Earnings (4yr) | $8,523 | — | — |
| #45 | Modesto Junior CollegePublic | Modesto, CA | $46,619 Median Earnings (4yr) | $1,658 | — | 29.6% |
| #46 | Lancaster, CA | $46,723 Median Earnings (4yr) | $3,012 | — | 34.4% | |
| #47 | Bakersfield CollegePublic | Bakersfield, CA | $51,238 Median Earnings (4yr) | $14,493 | — | 20.7% |
| #48 | Glendale, CA | $49,295 Median Earnings (4yr) | $7,902 | — | — | |
| #49 | Camarillo, CA | $59,304 Median Earnings (4yr) | $6,857 | 94.8% | 51.3% | |
| #50 | University Of The PacificPrivate | Stockton, CA | $81,820 Median Earnings (4yr) | $17,004 | 71.3% | 69.0% |
| #51 | Harvey Mudd CollegePrivate | Claremont, CA | $137,100 Median Earnings (4yr) | $27,979 | 12.7% | 91.9% |
| #52 | Chaffey CollegePublic | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | $46,799 Median Earnings (4yr) | $4,529 | — | — |
| #53 | East Los Angeles CollegePublic | Monterey Park, CA | $49,823 Median Earnings (4yr) | $10,536 | — | — |
| #54 | Los Angeles, CA | $79,546 Median Earnings (4yr) | $23,849 | 73.1% | 53.3% | |
| #55 | Rio Hondo CollegePublic | Whittier, CA | $55,379 Median Earnings (4yr) | $14,549 | — | 24.5% |
| #56 | San Francisco, CA | $138,968 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — | |
| #57 | Pomona, CA | $142,369 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — | |
| #58 | San Francisco, CA | $151,742 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — | |
| #59 | Claremont Mckenna CollegePrivate | Claremont, CA | $110,798 Median Earnings (4yr) | $15,308 | 9.6% | 91.4% |
| #60 | Fullerton CollegePublic | Fullerton, CA | $52,754 Median Earnings (4yr) | $4,944 | — | — |
