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15 Best Universities in California [2023 Guide]

07 Mar, 2023
15 Best Universities in California [2023 Guide]

With its excellent higher education institutes, world-leading tech sector, and sun-soaked natural scenery, it’s little surprise that California is a prime destination for domestic and international students alike.

In this article, we’ll look at fifteen of the best colleges in the ‘golden’ state, including the pros and cons of each, and what you can expect as a student there.

Table of Contents

College #1: Stanford University

College #2: California Institute of Technology

College #3: University of California - Berkeley

College #4: University of California - Los Angeles

College #5: University of Southern California

College #6: University of California - Santa Barbara

College #7: University of California - Irvine

College #8: University of California - San Diego

College #9: University of California - Davis

College #10: Pepperdine University

College #11: Santa Clara University

College #12: Loyola Marymount University

College #13: University of California - Santa Cruz

College #14: University of California - Riverside

College #15: University of California - Merced

Study at a university in California with Kings

College #1: Stanford University


Image source: Stanford University

With an approximate 5:1 student-to-faculty ratio, students at Stanford enjoy close interaction with faculty. Its beautiful campus offers a fantastic setting for an education which is renowned globally as one of the very best, and as a result is guaranteed to open doors.

Who’s it best for?

  • Anyone with hopes of a career within the tech hub of Silicon Valley can particularly benefit from a Stanford education given the access to the tech companies in the region for internships.
  • Students who are very strong academically - Stanford is a highly selective university.

Pros

  • Access to world-class faculty and resources. The university is home to some of the brightest minds and most innovative thinkers in their respective fields. In addition, the university has an extensive library and research center, giving students access to a wealth of information and resources.
  • Excellent graduate prospects for alumni. Stanford University is known for its prestige, and is seen as a top destination for academics and future leaders. The university's impressive alumni network includes notable figures from politics, business, and the arts.
  • An enjoyable year-round climate and beautiful surroundings. The mild climate of the San Francisco Bay area is also a major benefit for those attending Stanford, especially those who enjoy outdoor activities. Additionally, the area is known for its beautiful scenery, close to both the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Cons:

  • High tuition fees. As is often the case with very prestigious establishments, studying at Stanford University is particularly expensive when compared with other universities. Tuition and fees are currently $56,169.
  • Very competitive admissions. Students applying to Stanford must demonstrate not only a high level of academic excellence, but also show a unique and outstanding commitment to extra-curricular activities and community service. With an acceptance rate of only 4.3%, competition to gain admission to Stanford University is extremely fierce.

Location, tuition and acceptance

Location: Stanford, Palo Alto

Tuition and fees: $56,169

Acceptance rate: 4%

College #2: California Institute of Technology


Image source: Caltech

The California Institute of Technology(Caltech) has been top of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings for the past three years and has produced 32 Nobel Laureates in just 123 years. Its small size (fewer than 1000 undergraduate students) and student to faculty ratio of 3:1 means students are able to fully immerse themselves in the university’s research culture, and gain close access to globally renowned professors.

Who’s it best for?

  • Anyone with a strong work and study ethic, and excellent academic credentials.
  • Students who are looking for real research opportunities, in a small academic setting.

Pros

  • It is truly interdisciplinary: Being so small means that academic interdisciplinarity is a must at Caltech. With just 300 professorial faculty and around 600 research scholars, academic staff need to share resources, work together and work beyond traditional disciplinary silos.
  • Faculty are among the very best in their field. With so few academics (some major fields such as information science and technology have around a dozen faculty) Caltech is very selective when it comes to making new appointments.
  • The whole system is based on trust. Caltech students’ Honor Code means that students are truly seen as active partners in their own learning, trusted to collaborate on assessments and to take exams without any supervision - even at home.

Cons

  • Caltech is known for its intensely rigorous workload. This can be extremely challenging - even for the most gifted students.
  • Its uniquely STEM focus means diversity (in terms of students doing a range of majors) can be a little lacking among the student cohort.

Location, tuition and acceptance

Location: Pasadena

Tuition and fees: $60,864

Acceptance rate: 4%

College #3: University of California - Berkeley


Image source: University of California, Berkeley

The University of California, Berkeley, is widely viewed as the top public university in the world, and is the flagship campus of the massive University of California system. With access to field experts, national labs, Silicon Valley, and cutting-edge companies, Berkeley is a hub of innovation and exploration. It offers outstanding education to a diverse group of students, and at a lower cost than elite private schools.

Who’s it best for?

  • Students interested in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) courses; UC Berkeley is particularly renowned for its excellence in those disciplines.
  • Anyone looking for an active and varied student life on a campus-based university, and in an area whose climate lends itself to plenty of time outdoors.

Pros

  • World-class academics. All of Berkeley’s academic departments are considered world-class, but the most popular majors include social sciences, biological and biomedical sciences, engineering and language studies.
  • Excellent graduate prospects. Grad schools and top employers place a lot of value on a degree from Berkeley.
  • Campus life is renowned. There are over 1,200 recognized student groups, including clubs and organizations built around many cultural, political, and social perspectives at Berkeley.

Cons

  • It is a very big university, which means some students can get ‘lost in the crowd’. Berkeley, or Cal, as it is also known, tends to suit students who are adept at independent study.
  • The large size of the classes means that there is sometimes less chance to know your professors on a personal basis and therefore less chance to do research.

Location, tuition and acceptance

Location: Berkeley, San Francisco Bay

Tuition and fees: $43,980

Acceptance rate: 15%

College #4: University of California - Los Angeles


Image source: University of California, Los Angeles

Located in Westwood, minutes from Hollywood and the downtown city center of Los Angeles, UCLA leads the way in innovation, education, and athletics. One of the rare “Public Ivies” – public schools with academic output and reputation similar to those of the vaunted Ivy League schools, UCLA has a long list of impressive alumni and faculty.

Who’s it best for?

  • With over 150 majors and concentrations, UCLA offers a wide range of academic opportunities for its students, however, its location close to Hollywood means it enjoys particularly strong connections with the entertainment industry, so any student interested in film, music, and television in particular can benefit from a UCLA education.
  • With so many (over 1200) clubs and organizations, as well as the endless entertainment options of the surrounding area, students with strong focus and time management skills are best placed for academic success at UCLA.

Pros

  • A less competitive acceptance rate than other top universities. While nobody would consider its 11% acceptance rate easy, it is less competitive than some prestigious California schools.
  • Relatively small class sizes. Although it’s considered a large university, the school has 47.8% of its classes with fewer than 20 students.
  • An attractive, vibrant campus and excellent sports. UCLA is known for its award-winning sports program, its beautiful campus, and its friendly and diverse student body.

Cons

  • It can feel a little crowded: UCLA has a relatively small UC campus, but it has the most students of any of the University of California colleges.
  • There are lots of distractions. Being so close to Hollywood, and the beach, as well as the excellent campus life mean that there are a lot of potential distractions to anyone without a rock-solid study ethic!

Location, tuition and acceptance

Location: Los Angeles (Westwood neighborhood)

Tuition and fees: $44,830

Acceptance rate: 11%

College #5: University of Southern California


Image source: University of Southern California

Famed for its prestigious creative programs, particularly film, the University of Southern California (USC) is the oldest private research university in California. USC is highly selective and offers a wide range of top-ranked academic programs.

Who’s it best for?

  • High achieving students who are looking for a campus university in a big city.
  • Students who are planning to concentrate on business, art, or technology, as these are the areas for which it is enjoys particular global recognition.

Pros

  • A great student to faculty ratio. The student-faculty ratio at University of Southern California is 9:1, and the school has 62% of its classes with fewer than 20 students.
  • A well-rounded university experience. USC is known for offering a good balance of academics, extracurriculars and social life.
  • An exceptionally attractive campus, and great facilities. The USC campus is renowned for its beauty and offers students lovely surroundings in which to live and study. It also has some of the best facilities in the country, including the USC School of Architecture (the first in Southern California) and the School of Cinematic Arts (the oldest in the nation).

Cons

  • High tuition fees. USC has pretty high tuition fees compared to a lot of US universities, which makes it inaccessible to some students.
  • A very urban location. Whilst the USC campus itself is known for being very attractive, some students might find that the area immediately surrounding it suffers with some of the problems that very urban, inner city locations are often known for.

Location, tuition and acceptance

Location: USC's central campus, referred to as the University Park campus, is located in LA's Downtown Arts and Education Corridor.

Tuition and fees: $64,726

Acceptance rate: 13%

College #6: University of California - Santa Barbara


Image source: University of California, Santa Barbara

Situated in close proximity to California’s beautiful Pacific coastline, University of California, Santa Barbara is a prestigious research institute and ‘public ivy’ university, which specializes in liberal arts. It is one of the ten colleges united under the University of California public university system, and boasts some of the best outdoor facilities of any US university.

Who’s it best for?

  • Those looking for a high caliber academic institute with a supportive community and a less intense study environment than other schools. It is particularly known for its strong Engineering programs.
  • Students with an interest - academically or recreationally - in the ocean.

Pros

  • A lovely campus with excellent amenities and facilities. UCSB’s premises cover over 4 km² of land between the ocean and the Santa Ynez Mountains. It has exceptional outdoor facilities, including its own beach; a lagoon and specially designed walking and bicycle paths, which encourage and enable students to stay active, even during in busy exam periods.
  • Small class sizes. The student-faculty ratio at University of California, Santa Barbara is 17:1, and the school has 55.9% of its classes with fewer than 20 students.
  • Excellent academic credentials. UCSB is currently ranked 32 in the National Universities category by US News and World Report, which is reflective of the high quality programs if offers.

Cons

  • Limited amenities and diversity off-campus. Although it enjoys a stunning coastal location, the town immediately adjacent to the campus, Isla Vista, is very much a student town, and there is not as much diversity there, or as much to do, as in bigger towns and cities.
  • Affluent area means prices can be high. There are certainly upsides to living in an affluent place, but it does make the cost of living higher than average.

Location, tuition and acceptance

Location: Santa Barbara

Tuition and fees: in-state $14,450; out-of-state $44,204

Acceptance rate: 29%

College #7: University of California - Irvine


Image source: University of California, Irvine

Situated on a beautiful, safe campus in affluent Orange County, UC Irvine is an internationally-renowned institution offering a world class education at a reasonable cost. It offers something for everyone and is not only an outstanding research university, but it has an inclusive and diverse student body and excels in many fields of study.

Who’s it best for?

  • Students interested in majoring in biology, economics or social psychology.
  • Those who enjoy nature and outdoor pursuits in a temperate climate.

Pros

  • A great location. One of the greatest perks of UCI is its stunning location. The campus is five miles from California’s Orange County beaches and enjoys a Mediterranean climate throughout the year. The campus is full of large open spaces and is designed with a huge central park in the middle.
  • Small class sizes. Over half of UC Irvine’s classes have fewer than 20 students, allowing learners to grow closer with their professors and develop strong intrapersonal skills.
  • Excellent academic credentials. UCI is consistently ranked among the nation's best universities, and currently has top 50 national rankings for more than 40 academic programs.

Cons

  • Limited social activities. Some students struggle with how quiet the UC Irvine social scene is. The city of Irvine is not known for being the most exciting place, and the UC Irvine campus is said to be quieter than others.

Location, tuition and acceptance

Location: Irvine, Orange County

Tuition and fees: in-state $13,985; out-of-state $43,739

Acceptance rate: 29%

College #8: University of California - San Diego

Image source: University of California, San Diego

UCSD is located in La Jolla, an affluent community in the northern part of San Diego, close to the Pacific Ocean. It's home to the Scripps Institute of Oceanography, one of the first centers dedicated to ocean, earth, and atmospheric science research and education. UC San Diego is widely regarded by students as one of the top science universities in the United States.

Who’s it best for?

  • Students who place academics at the forefront of their university experience, in particular relating to the Sciences.
  • Those who enjoy beachside living, rather than a central location in a large, bustling city.

Pros

  • Excellent academic credentials. UCSD is ranked 34th out of all schools in the nation and 8th out of all public schools in the nation. The faculty has achieved multiple honors, such as a Nobel Peace Prize, Pulitzer Prize, National Medal of Science, Academy Award, Tony Award, and National Humanities Medal. Also, all of the majors and programs at UCSD are ranked very high, especially the science based programs.
  • A great location. UCSD is 10 minutes from the beach and a quick ride away from downtown San Diego.
  • A smaller college feel, despite its large size. UC San Diego is organized into six residential colleges that help give it a smaller college feel within a large university.

Cons

  • A large and sprawling campus. The UC San Diego is very large, which means that students have to do a lot of walking, and it can make the school feel like less of a community because everything is so spread out.
  • A limited social scene, comparatively. Compared to other California universities, it is said that UC San Diego doesn't have a huge social scene on campus.

Location, tuition and acceptance

Location: La Jolla

Tuition and fees: in-state $15,348; out-of-state $46,374

Acceptance rate: 34%

College #9: University of California - Davis

Image source: University of California, Davis

Located in Northern California, close to Sacramento, the town of Davis is known for its friendly community and small town feel. The University of California, Davis’ small and peaceful campus, surrounded by nature, is a draw for many students.

Who’s it best for?

  • Students who are looking for a highly ranked university in a small town setting.
  • Students who are looking to specialize in the biological sciences; the school is also known for high-quality research, particularly in this area. US News ranks UC Davis' vet school as the #1 vet school in the country.

Pros

  • A full campus life. Because the campus is somewhat secluded, the on-campus culture at UC Davis is very active.
  • Excellent programs. UC Davis is ranked 38th for universities in the US and 10th for public universities in the US. It is also ranked 2nd in the world for Agriculture and Forestry and 5th for Environmental Engineering. It also has the best Veterinary Medicine degree program in the entire United States.

Cons

  • Limited transport options. UC Davis is primarily a bike campus which can be difficult if you're used to driving and having your car nearby. Many students find a bike absolutely necessary for getting around campus.
  • Remote location, compared to others. UC Davis is in the middle of Northern California (Norcal), which means it is a fairly long drive to get to bigger hubs. For instance, there is around an hour drive to get to San Francisco from UC Davis.

Location, tuition and acceptance

Location: 5 miles from Sacramento

Tuition and fees: in-state $14,740; out-of-state $44,494

Acceptance rate: 49%

College #10: Pepperdine University


Image source: Pepperdine University

Nestled among the Santa Monica Mountain foothills, Pepperdine University is a Christian college known for its picturesque location in Malibu. It has a rigorous liberal arts curriculum that integrates Christian learning. Pepperdine offers more than 40 majors in its undergraduate school, Seaver College.

Who’s it best for?

  • Anyone looking for an academically rigorous school that offers easy access to the ocean.
  • Students who are looking for a relatively conservative student lifestyle.

Pros

  • Small classes. The student-faculty ratio at Pepperdine University is 13:1, and the school has 71.3% of its classes with fewer than 20 students.
  • The campus is very attractive, with beautiful ocean views. The stunning 830-acre Malibu campus overlooks the Pacific Ocean and is just 29 miles from Downtown Los Angeles.
  • It is a Top 100 US university. Pepperdine is currently ranked 55 in the National Universities category of the US News and World Report’s educational rankings.

Cons

  • Tuition fees are quite expensive. Pepperdine University's tuition is $63,142, compared with the national average cost of tuition of $41,568.
  • The campus can be conservative in comparison to others. Some students consider the university fairly conservative, with stricter rules than other institutes.

Location, tuition and acceptance

Location: Malibu

Tuition and fees: $63,142

Acceptance rate: 53%

College #11: Santa Clara University

Founded in 1851, Santa Clara University sits in the heart of Silicon Valley—the world’s most innovative and entrepreneurial region. Ranked among the top 15 percent of national universities by U.S. News & World Report, SCU has among the best four-year graduation rates in the nation and is included in the top 1 percent of universities with the highest-paid graduates according to PayScale.

Who’s it best for?

  • Students looking for a small, attractive university with an excellent academic reputation and good graduate prospects.
  • A university with close links to Silicon Valley.

Pros

  • Small classes. With a small student-to-faculty ratio and small class sizes, students have the opportunity to genuinely get to know their professors and vice versa.
  • An excellent location. Not only is Santa Clara driving distance from the beach and the city, but it is also located less than 20 minutes away from some of the largest technology and innovation companies in America. Apple's headquarters is approximately 15 minutes away, and Google's headquarters is about 20 minutes away, and there are plenty more to list.
  • A beautiful campus. The University’s 106-acre campus is stunningly landscaped, and includes the historic Mission Santa Clara de Asís.

Cons

  • Tuition fees are quite expensive. Santa Clara University’s tuition is $57,534, compared with the national average of $41,568.
  • Lack of cultural diversity. Some might consider Santa Clara University lacking in cultural diversity when compared to other California colleges.

Location, tuition and acceptance

Location: Santa Clara, an hour from San Francisco

Tuition and fees: $57,534

Acceptance rate: 54%

College #12: Loyola Marymount University

LMU, located in Los Angeles, offers a rich campus life set against the backdrop of a big city setting. Its main campus sits adjacent to Silicon Beach, a thriving coastal startup community stretching from Santa Monica to El Segundo. It is currently ranked 77 in the US News and World Report National University rankings.

Who’s it best for?

  • Students looking for a small university in a big city setting.
  • Those looking to study among a diverse student population.

Pros

  • Favorable student to faculty ratios. LMU maintains an average class size of 19 and a student-faculty ratio of 11:1, ensuring that every classroom experience exemplifies the university’s commitment to hands-on learning and collaboration between students and faculty in small, discussion-style seminars.
  • A wide range of programs. With over 60 majors and 55 minor undergraduate degrees and programs, students can double-major, triple-major, or explore interdisciplinary opportunities.
  • Excellent location. Students have easy access to L.A.’s beautiful beaches, museums, art galleries, and significant landmarks such as the Hollywood Bowl, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Griffith Observatory, and many more.

Cons

  • Many people leave campus on the weekends and for that reason some students find campus life a little quiet during the weekend.
  • Tuition fees are quite expensive; they are $55,441, compared with the national average cost of tuition of $41,568.

Location, tuition and acceptance

Location: Los Angeles

Tuition and fees: $55,441

Acceptance rate: 46%

#13: University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is known for its coastline, redwood forests, and for being socially liberal. The campus of UC Santa Cruz is located within a forest, and the campus sprawls across 2,000 acres overlooking Monterey Bay. Because it's smaller than many of the other UCs, it arguably has a more of a community feel.

The university has a satellite campus in Silicon Valley and a Coastal Science Campus dedicated to marine research.

Who’s it best for?

  • Students who enjoy being close to nature, and who prefer the close-knit nature of a campus university near a small town, rather than big city living.
  • Students with an interest in either biological sciences and computer science - the university has historically been strong in both subject areas.

Pros

  • It has a beautiful campus.The beautiful campus woven within the forest and the view of the beaches that are within easy reach is one of the many reasons why UCSC is a great place to learn. It boasts one of the most visually spectacular settings in US higher education,
  • It’s a university which is proud to inspire. Princeton Review has named UC Santa Cruz the No. 2 public university in the nation for students focused on making an impact on the world. The honor underscores the university’s commitment to encouraging positive social impact.
  • It has a wide range of programs. At the University of California, Santa Cruz, undergraduates pursue bachelor's degrees in 66 different majors supervised by divisional deans of arts, engineering, humanities, physical and biological sciences, and social sciences.

Cons

  • It can feel a little isolated. The downside of its stunning location means that there are nowhere near as many ‘immediate’ off campus amenities as you’d get with a big city university. Downtown Santa Cruz is about a half hour bus ride away from campus.
  • Competition for on campus housing is strong. This means not all students can be guaranteed housing on campus.

Location, tuition and acceptance

Location: Santa Cruz

Tuition and fees: $14,634 for in-state and $45,660 for out-of-state

Acceptance rate: 59%

College #14: University of California - Riverside

UC Riverside is located in Riverside, about 60 miles east of Los Angeles. It is the largest city in what is known as the Inland Empire of Southern California. One of the most commonly mentioned strengths of UC Riverside is its supportive environment, but it is also known for being a very diverse school that welcomes all students.

Who’s it best for?

  • Students looking for access to large cities, but a largely campus-based existence.
  • Those who would like to study at a very inclusive and socially diverse university.

Pros

  • A very diverse student body. UC Riverside is well known for having one of the most diverse student populations in the region.
  • An attractive campus with excellent facilities. These include a 80,000 square foot Student Recreation Center; a central hub for recreational, intramural and club sports on campus.
  • Faculty-led research for all undergrads. UC Riverside is one of the only universities to offer this, meaning students here can dive straight into their subject—whether they’re studying Agricultural Sciences, or training to become a leader in Business Administration.

Cons

  • Lack of social options at the weekend. Student opinion of campus social life is mixed. Some mention that you can have a very active social life if you join Greek life or a lot of clubs, but others feel that the school's high number of commuters makes it difficult to find many things to do on weekends.
  • Not much to do off campus. The area surrounding the university isn’t generally known for its appeal, but thankfully the large and well-equipped campus offers everything students need.

Location, tuition and acceptance

Location: Riverside

Tuition and fees: $14,276 for in-state and $45,302 for out-of-state

Acceptance rate: 66%

College #15: University of California - Merced

Located near Yosemite National Park in the San Joaquin Valley, two hours from San Francisco, UC-Merced is the smallest and newest campus in the University of California system. It is the only “small/mid-sized” public college in California that is building a true residential campus community while offering academic programs that undergraduates are more likely to find at a much larger school.

Who’s it best for?

  • Students who have an interest in sustainability; UC- Merced is the only college in the country to have all of its campus buildings “built green from the ground up.”
  • UC-Merced is also a great option for those who enjoy outdoor recreation. Among many programs, the university’s Outdoor Experience office offers a 'Week of Wilderness', inviting incoming freshmen and transfer students to backpack and camp in Yosemite National Park.

Pros

  • Opportunity to do research with faculty. Since UC-Merced has few graduate students—less than 800 compared to thousands at other UC campus—there are more opportunities for undergraduates to do research with faculty, especially in the sciences and engineering.
  • A nice community feel. UC Merced’s relatively small size means there is a strong sense of community among students, and since the school is so new, many of them feel they get to have an input into how the university develops and evolves.
  • Small classes. It is likely that students will start their education at UC-Merced with smaller classes than at another UC campus—less than ten percent of UC Merced’s classes have over 100 students.

Cons

  • Although the tight-knit atmosphere at UC Merced is a draw for many, the campus can feel a little quiet and isolated, and as it’s not nestled within a bustling college town, sometimes it can be hard to find things to do.
  • Also, as a fairly small and new school, UC Merced doesn't have the diversity of majors and classes that many of the other UC schools offer. However, this is expected to change as the school continues to expand.

Location, tuition and acceptance

Location: Merced

Tuition and fees: $13,680 for in-state and $43,434 for out-of-state

Acceptance rate: 87%

Study at a university in California with Kings

At Kings, we have designed our GO (Guaranteed Outcome) programs specifically to offer streamlined paths to the very best universities in California, and the wider USA.

Students begin their university life at one of our partner schools, then with on-the-ground guidance and support from experts, apply as a transfer student in their second or third year to a Top 50 or Top 100 school. It’s from one of these gold-standard institutions that they graduate.

Our California-based partner university, California State University Fullerton (CSUF) is part of the California State University system – one of the largest and most respected state universities in the US.

Through our GO: California program we offer our students at CSU Fullerton three options:

  • to complete a four-year degree at CSU Fullerton (students will need to go through the application process)
  • to transfer after two years at Fullerton to any campus in the California State University System
  • to transfer after two years at Fullerton to a top University in California, like UC Berkeley, UCLA, USC, UC Santa Barbara and many more

Learn more about how Kings can help you get into a top California university.

If you would like to receive more detailed information about our programs and locations, please get in touch with us at us.admissions@kingseducation.com.