Best Colleges in California of 2023

Stanford University is one of the most prestigious universities - not just in California but across the globe. Even though it is not an Ivy League institution, it consistently ranks in the top 10 of lists by U.S. News & World Report and other outlets and is one of the most difficult undergraduate universities to get into, with an admit rate of just 5%. Stanford faculty are luminaries in their fields; among their ranks are dozens of Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, National Medal of Science recipients, and Macarthur fellows. Stanford is known for cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset in its students, no doubt thanks to its location in Silicon Valley. The School of Engineering is the most well-renowned, ranked #2 in the country by U.S. News & World Report.

When it comes to STEM, you can't do much better than California Institute of Technology, better known as Caltech. Times Higher Education has ranked Caltech #1 (or #2) in its World Universities Rankings, and with good reason: in just over 120 years, Caltech has produced 34 Nobel laureates and counting and has contributed to many advances in science and technology. Caltech is a small and highly research-oriented institution. Counting faculty and postdoctoral fellows, there's a 1:1 ratio of doctoral researchers to students on campus. Such a ratio provides many opportunities for students to take part in research projects and gain meaningful experiences in the lab. Caltech's core curriculum ensures you emerge as not only a better scientist but also a more critical, well-rounded problem-solver.

University of California, Berkeley is consistently ranked the #1 public university in California, United States, and the world by outlets such as U.S. News & World Report and Times Higher Education. Like Stanford and Caltech, UC Berkeley is home to an illustrious faculty who are known around the world for their research contributions. Because UC Berkeley is a public university, it is likely to be considerably less expensive than private options, especially if you're a resident of California and qualify for in-state tuition. Located in the San Francisco Bay Area, UC Berkeley is its own world within a world, with a range of multidisciplinary labs, research centers, museums and institutes all on one campus.

University of California, Los Angeles is another highly regarded university within the UC system - in fact, in 2022, UCLA beat out UC Berkeley for the #1 spot in U.S. News & World Report's ranking of top public universities. UCLA is known for stellar academics across disciplines, but it truly shines in Theater, Film, and Television. Taking advantage of its location in the heart of Los Angeles, UCLA has educated household name actors like Mayim Bialik, George Takei, and James Franco. Whatever your degree level and whatever your field, UCLA is bound to have a high-quality program that suits your needs and goals. In California, the United States, and beyond, the UCLA name carries significant weight and can open doors inside or outside of show business.

University of Southern California is a highly ranked, highly regarded private university located in the heart of Los Angeles. Apart from USC's stellar academic reputation, the university stands out for its strong athletics, school spirit, and alumni network. Graduates of USC are Trojans for life and benefit from the university's extensive, well-connected, and influential group of alumni across the globe. Notable alumni include Neil Armstrong, George Lucas, Jane Goodall, and even Will Ferrell. While many of USC's alumni are connected to Hollywood, the influence of the alumni network extends well beyond film and television; the USC name can open doors across industries that include business and tech.

University of California, Santa Barbara, considered one of the most beautiful campuses in the country, is located on a striking strip of Pacific coastline. But beyond its gorgeous beaches, UCSB is home to some unique joint-degree programs that can help you increase your earning potential and career prospects in less time than you would spend earning two degrees separately. In five years, you can complete joint bachelor's-master's degree programs in fields like Actuarial Science, Computer Engineering, Earth Science, Biochemistry-Molecular Biology, and many others. Admission to the five-year joint programs takes place in your sophomore or junior year at UCSB, depending on your field.

Although many locations in California boast breathtaking views and beach access, University of California, San Diego arguably takes the cake for best location. Situated in the swanky La Jolla neighborhood of San Diego, UCSD offers a seaside paradise with an average of 300 sunny days per year, coupled with nearly endless cultural and career opportunities. San Diego provides easy access to Los Angeles, but it's also a bustling city in its own right with everything from a historic district and theaters to thousands of businesses, including tech start-ups, large corporations, and everything in between. If you want to couple strong academics with a beautiful location and easy access to cultural outlets, multiple transit options, and plenty of internship and career opportunities, UCSD is worth checking out.

University of California, Irvine is home to one of the strongest Honors Colleges in the UC system. The highly selective Campuswide Honors Collegium provides unique opportunities for intellectually motivated students with a track record of academic excellence to engage in everything from a specialized curriculum and hands-on research with a faculty mentor to personalized one-on-one honors academic advising and special honors housing. As an honors student, your UCI degree will contain special honors notations on your transcript and diploma. UCI's Campuswide Honors Collegium is like a rigorous liberal arts college within a world-class research university. This means you get all the benefits and personal attention of a small school while maintaining access to the immense resources of UCI.

The history of University of California, Davis is deeply rooted in agriculture, as evidenced by its mascot, the Aggies, and its school newspaper, The California Aggie. Even today, agriculture features prominently on UCD's campus and curriculum. UCD devotes nearly half of its 5,300 acres of land to agriculture and even houses a dairy center and slaughterhouse. In the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, you can study everything from animal biology or biotechnology to sustainable agriculture and food systems or marine and coastal science. You can even major in Viticulture and Enology, also known as wine-making. You'll be hard-pressed to find another university that offers degree specializations that match the caliber of UCD's programs.

Pepperdine is a Christian university located in the breathtaking Malibu hills. Campus politics at Pepperdine tend to lean conservative, and the curriculum is informed by Christian values and doctrine. Beyond campus, Pepperdine's study abroad programs are particularly strong and popular; according to Niche.com, Pepperdine is frequently ranked #1 in the country for undergraduate study abroad participation. Compared to many other schools in California, especially those in the UC system, Pepperdine is quite small, which lends itself to a close-knit community. From its location and its academic reputation to its supportive faculty and emphasis on global leadership, Pepperdine is a great option if you're looking for a private Christian university in California.