10 Best Universities & Colleges in California

10 Best Universities & Colleges in California

California state stretches from the Mexican border along the Pacific for almost 1448 kilometres.   

This vast state comprises cliff-lined beaches, redwood forest, the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Central Valley farmland and the Mojave Desert.

Its capital city is Los Angeles, home to the Hollywood entertainment industry. Other popular cities such as San Francisco is popular for the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island and cable cars.

When it comes to education, this state has some of the best colleges and ivy league universities in America.

These universities are located in various parts of the state. There are hundreds of private colleges, liberal arts institutions and large research universities. 

Institutions in California offer students different experiences as well as known to be student centred.  They also provide scholarships and funding for research.

So if you are considering furthering your education in California, keep reading. We have put together the 10 best universities and colleges in California.

1. University of California (UCLA) – Los Angeles

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The University of California-Los Angeles is a public research university. It was established in 1919 and is located in the flourishing city of Los Angeles, California.

It is ranked the 2^nd best public university in the United States and the 11th best in the world. UCLA sits on 419-acres in the vicinity of a city that 4 million people call home.

About 40% of undergraduate students at UCLA receive Pell Grants. This is the highest percentage of any top-tier university in the United States.

There are several opportunities for students here such as internships, research, experiential learning among others.

UCLA is known for its prestigious School of Theater, Film, and Television and School of Dentistry.

Website: https://www.ucla.edu/

Notable alumni: MacArthur Fellows, Fields medalists

2. University of California, Berkeley

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This university was established in 1868. Furthermore, it is a non-profit public state higher-education institution.

Other than the main campus in Berkley, there are other campuses in Merced, Riverside, San Diego, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz.

The university has a student population of 45,000, both undergraduates and postgraduates.

UC-Berkley is popularly known for its esteemed engineering, natural science, and social science programs, as well as for its top-10 graduate programs in law and education

The admission policy to this university is selective and one has to sit for an entrance exam. The admission rate is therefore 20% making UC-Berkley very competitive.

Like most universities in the United States, international students get admission too.

Website: https://www.berkeley.edu/

Notable alumni: supreme court judge Earl Warren, G. William Miller, Jennifer Granholm

3. University of California, San Diego

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UC-San Diego was established in 1960. Like its Berkley counterpart, the University of California-San Diego is a non-profit public state higher-education institution.

The University was recognized as the 6^th best public university, according to U.S. News and World Report’s 2021 Best Global Universities.

It has some of the leading programs in both undergraduate and postgraduate programs.

About 5,586 active international students at the University of California-San Diego are undergraduates.  

It also has a selective admission policy with potential students expected to sit an entrance exam.

UC San Diego comprises four academic divisions; Arts and Humanities, Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, and Social Sciences.

Website: https://ucsd.edu/

4. San José State University (SJSU), San Jose

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This is one of the oldest public universities on the West Coast as well as one of the founding campuses of the California State University system. The university is located in downtown San Jose.

Its enrolment rate is 33,025 with about 5,400 graduate students. This student population is one of the most ethnically diverse in the United States.

The international student population at SJSU is one of the highest. The majority of graduates from this institution get absorbed in Silicon Valley technology firms.

As an institution with an average selection system, 50-60% of students that send in their applications get admission letters.

Some of the most popular majors at San Jose State University include Business, Management, Marketing, Engineering, Communication, and Journalism.

Website: https://www.sjsu.edu/

5. Chapman University – Orange County

Chapman University is located in a suburban city in Orange county. It was founded in 1861 as a private higher education institution.

The university has undergraduate and postgraduate programs in several majors including Business Administration and Management, General; Cinematography and Film/Video Production; Business/Corporate Communications, General; Psychology, General; Speech Communication and Rhetoric.

As a private institution, its selection process involves an entrance exam and the past academic record of the student.

The institution provides housing for the students, financial aid and scholarships as well as exchange programs. Students get to enjoy several out of class activities such as sports, social clubs. 

Website:  https://www.chapman.edu/

6. Claremont Mckenna College (CMC) – Claremont

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Claremont McKenna College is a private liberal arts college that was founded in 1946 as a men’s college. Later in 1976, it admitted its first female students becoming coeducational.

The campus sits on 69 acres about 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. It was ranked 2^nd among the institutions with the happiest students.

As a leading institution in liberal arts, CMC offers majors in economics, government and public affairs with the mission of raising leaders in all fields.

While CMC primarily offers undergraduate programs, they have introduced one master’s program in collaboration with the Robert Day School of Economics and Finance.

A majority of the students at CMC live on campus. There are more than 40 clubs and student-led organizations at CMC.

Website: https://www.cmc.edu/

7. Occidental College (Oxy)– Los Angeles

Occidental College was established in 1887 as a non-profit private liberal arts higher-education institution.

Programs and courses offered at this college lead to recognized higher education degrees in several areas of study.

The most popular majors at Occidental College include Econometrics and Quantitative Economics; International Relations and Affairs; Biology/Biological Sciences, General; Political Science and Government.

Popularly referred to as Oxy, the college has a highly selective admission policy that is based on the student’s past academic record. Its admission rate is between 30% & 40%.

If you are an international student and is considering Occidental college, send your application because you are eligible.  

Website: https://www.oxy.edu/

8. Mills College (MC) – Oakland

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It was founded in 1852 as a non-profit private higher education institution. Furthermore, Mills is a private women’s liberal arts college.

It offers undergraduate programs for women and gender non-binary students. Additionally, there are graduate programs for students of all genders.

There are more than 45 undergraduate majors and 30 graduate degrees, certificates, and credentials. It is home to the Mills College School of Education and the Lorry I. Lokey School of Business & Public Policy.

Students get to access several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, and exchange programs.

Website: https://www.mills.edu/

9. Southwestern Law School – Los Angeles

Southwestern Law School is a private law school in Mid-Wilshire, Los Angeles. As an accredited institution by the American Bar Association, SWLS has an enrolment of about 1000 students.

This college was ranked 147 out of 193 in Best Law Schools as well as No. 43 in Part-time Law.

Programs and courses offered at this college lead to officially recognized higher education degrees such as master degrees and doctorate degrees.

Its admission policy is very selective and is based on an entrance exam.

Website: https://www.swlaw.edu/

10. Pacific Union College (PUC) – Angwin

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Pacific Union College is a non-profit private multidisciplinary higher-education institution. It was established in 1882 and is affiliated with the Christian-Adventist religion.

As a Seventh-day Adventist learning institution, it offers an excellent Christ-centred education. It has programs in biology, aviation, business administration, education, communication among others.

This prepares the students for productive lives of useful human service and uncompromising personal integrity. It was ranked no. 229 out of 1,472 for value nationwide.

Website: https://www.puc.edu/