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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #101 | Valley Glen, CA | $52,988 Median Earnings (4yr) | $11,225 | — | 32.1% | |
| #102 | Claremont, CA | $103,151 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — | |
| #103 | Golden Gate UniversityPrivate | San Francisco, CA | $115,758 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — |
| #104 | Fielding Graduate UniversityPrivate | Santa Barbara, CA | $100,937 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — |
| #105 | Citrus CollegePublic | Glendora, CA | $46,839 Median Earnings (4yr) | $3,221 | — | — |
| #106 | Golden West CollegePublic | Huntington Beach, CA | $54,736 Median Earnings (4yr) | $3,417 | — | — |
| #107 | College Of The DesertPublic | Palm Desert, CA | $44,605 Median Earnings (4yr) | $14,872 | — | — |
| #108 | Allan Hancock CollegePublic | Santa Maria, CA | $55,202 Median Earnings (4yr) | $3,970 | — | — |
| #109 | Riverside, CA | $68,600 Median Earnings (4yr) | $22,298 | 84.9% | 61.9% | |
| #110 | College Of San MateoPublic | San Mateo, CA | $69,861 Median Earnings (4yr) | -$1,310 | — | — |
| #111 | San Diego, CA | $97,824 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — | |
| #112 | University Of San DiegoPrivate | San Diego, CA | $85,309 Median Earnings (4yr) | $15,586 | 52.4% | 83.7% |
| #113 | Sierra CollegePublic | Rocklin, CA | $47,159 Median Earnings (4yr) | $5,042 | — | — |
| #114 | Calexico, CA | $68,268 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — | |
| #115 | Los Angeles City CollegePublic | Los Angeles, CA | $52,028 Median Earnings (4yr) | $9,814 | — | — |
| #116 | Los Angeles, CA | $94,681 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — | |
| #117 | Napa Valley CollegePublic | Napa, CA | $71,587 Median Earnings (4yr) | $12,795 | — | — |
| #118 | The Wright InstitutePrivate | Berkeley, CA | $91,098 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — |
| #119 | Wright Institute (The) -Private | Berkeley, CA | $91,098 Median Earnings (4yr) | — | — | — |
| #120 | Arcata, CA | $51,571 Median Earnings (4yr) | $8,483 | 98.2% | 48.5% |
