List of 100 best universities in California, US
We ranked 100 best universities in California based on their reputation, research performance, and alumni impact. We processed 131M citations received by 2.2M publications made by 251 universities in California, measured the popularity of 10,727 recognized alumni, and utilized the largest available links database (to compare non-academic prominence).
- #1 in California
- #2 in the United States
- #2 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 4%
- Average SAT
- 1505
- Average ACT
- 34
- Net Price
- $16,779
- #2 in California
- #5 in the United States
- #5 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 16%
- Average SAT
- 1430
- Average ACT
- 33
- Receiving Aid
- 63%
- #3 in California
- #7 in the United States
- #7 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 12%
- Average SAT
- 1415
- Average ACT
- 32
- Receiving Aid
- 61%
- #4 in California
- #22 in the United States
- #23 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 11%
- Average SAT
- 1445
- Average ACT
- 33
- Net Price
- $37,521
- #5 in California
- #23 in the United States
- #24 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 31%
- Average SAT
- 1370
- Average ACT
- 30
- Receiving Aid
- 63%
- #6 in California
- #28 in the United States
- #30 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 39%
- Average SAT
- 1290
- Average ACT
- 28
- Receiving Aid
- 66%
- #7 in California
- #36 in the United States
- #38 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 64%
- Enrollment
- 3,180
- Male:Female
- 36:64
- Founded
- 1864
- #8 in California
- #42 in the United States
- #45 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 27%
- Average SAT
- 1295
- Average ACT
- 29
- Receiving Aid
- 63%
- #9 in California
- #43 in the United States
- #46 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 6%
- Average SAT
- 1545
- Average ACT
- 36
- Net Price
- $27,438
- #10 in California
- #57 in the United States
- #61 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 30%
- Average SAT
- 1355
- Average ACT
- 31
- Receiving Aid
- 63%
- #11 in California
- #88 in the United States
- #98 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 51%
- Average SAT
- 1290
- Average ACT
- 29
- Receiving Aid
- 70%
- #12 in California
- #94 in the United States
- #106 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 57%
- Average SAT
- 1230
- Average ACT
- 27
- Receiving Aid
- 85%
- #13 in California
- #116 in the United States
- #133 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 34%
- Average SAT
- 1215
- Average ACT
- 26
- Receiving Aid
- 60%
- #14 in California
- #181 in the United States
- #206 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 67%
- Average SAT
- 1045
- Average ACT
- 20
- Receiving Aid
- 77%
- #15 in California
- #185 in the United States
- #210 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 64%
- Average SAT
- 1140
- Average ACT
- 23
- Receiving Aid
- 73%
- #16 in California
- #194 in the United States
- #220 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 39%
- Average SAT
- 1145
- Average ACT
- 23
- Receiving Aid
- 81%
- #17 in California
- #202 in the United States
- #229 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 49%
- Average SAT
- 1360
- Average ACT
- 30
- Net Price
- $42,114
- #18 in California
- #205 in the United States
- #232 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 59%
- Average SAT
- 1020
- Average ACT
- 19
- Receiving Aid
- 86%
- #19 in California
- #216 in the United States
- #243 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 28%
- Average SAT
- 1340
- Average ACT
- 29
- Receiving Aid
- 63%
- #20 in California
- #224 in the United States
- #251 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 53%
- Average SAT
- 1115
- Average ACT
- 22
- Receiving Aid
- 77%
- #21 in California
- #230 in the United States
- #258 in North America
- Enrollment
- 4,462
- Male:Female
- 35:65
- Founded
- 1905
- #22 in California
- #239 in the United States
- #269 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 92%
- Average SAT
- 1085
- Average ACT
- 21
- Receiving Aid
- 83%
- #23 in California
- #240 in the United States
- #270 in North America
- Enrollment
- 2,841
- Male:Female
- 79:21
- Founded
- 1909
- #24 in California
- #249 in the United States
- #280 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 64%
- Average SAT
- 1230
- Average ACT
- 26
- Net Price
- $38,422
- #25 in California
- #268 in the United States
- #299 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 32%
- Average SAT
- 1340
- Average ACT
- 30
- Net Price
- $42,135
- #26 in California
- #269 in the United States
- #300 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 44%
- Average SAT
- 1320
- Average ACT
- 29
- Net Price
- $47,292
- #27 in California
- #270 in the United States
- #301 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 56%
- Average SAT
- 1285
- Average ACT
- 28
- Net Price
- $43,767
- #28 in California
- #275 in the United States
- #306 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 49%
- Average SAT
- 1280
- Average ACT
- 29
- Net Price
- $35,936
- #29 in California
- #277 in the United States
- #308 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 48%
- Average SAT
- 985
- Average ACT
- 18
- Receiving Aid
- 94%
- #30 in California
- #294 in the United States
- #326 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 82%
- Average SAT
- 1040
- Average ACT
- 19
- Receiving Aid
- 85%
- #31 in California
- #296 in the United States
- #328 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 7%
- Average SAT
- 1465
- Average ACT
- 34
- Net Price
- $18,500
- #32 in California
- #300 in the United States
- #332 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 66%
- Average SAT
- 1240
- Average ACT
- 27
- Net Price
- $33,178
- #33 in California
- #310 in the United States
- #345 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 58%
- Average SAT
- 1035
- Average ACT
- 19
- Receiving Aid
- 89%
- #34 in California
- #320 in the United States
- #356 in North America
- Enrollment
- 1,950
- Male:Female
- 42:58
- Founded
- 1925
- #35 in California
- #333 in the United States
- #370 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 72%
- Average SAT
- 1090
- Average ACT
- 21
- Receiving Aid
- 76%
- #36 in California
- #348 in the United States
- #386 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 55%
- Average SAT
- 1140
- Average ACT
- 23
- Receiving Aid
- 78%
- #37 in California
- #359 in the United States
- #400 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 45%
- Enrollment
- 979
- Male:Female
- 41:59
- Founded
- 1878
- #38 in California
- #369 in the United States
- #412 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 91%
- Average SAT
- 1070
- Average ACT
- 20
- Receiving Aid
- 71%
- #39 in California
- #377 in the United States
- #420 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 14%
- Average SAT
- 1530
- Average ACT
- 34
- Net Price
- $39,411
- #40 in California
- #378 in the United States
- #421 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 69%
- Average SAT
- 1000
- Average ACT
- 17
- Receiving Aid
- 93%
- #41 in California
- #405 in the United States
- #450 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 37%
- Average SAT
- 1390
- Average ACT
- 30
- Net Price
- $35,362
- #42 in California
- #439 in the United States
- #487 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 77%
- Receiving Aid
- 92%
- Average Aid
- $10,198
- Enrollment
- 17,977
- #43 in California
- #442 in the United States
- #490 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 10%
- Average SAT
- 1435
- Average ACT
- 33
- Net Price
- $24,456
- #44 in California
- #454 in the United States
- #502 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 62%
- Average SAT
- 1045
- Average ACT
- 20
- Receiving Aid
- 81%
- #45 in California
- #477 in the United States
- #525 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 76%
- Receiving Aid
- 86%
- Average Aid
- $9,701
- Enrollment
- 16,064
- #46 in California
- #494 in the United States
- #542 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 67%
- Enrollment
- 3,536
- Male:Female
- 29:71
- Founded
- 2001
- #47 in California
- #505 in the United States
- #553 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 72%
- Average SAT
- 1090
- Average ACT
- 22
- Receiving Aid
- 93%
- #48 in California
- #508 in the United States
- #556 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 81%
- Average SAT
- 1150
- Average ACT
- 25
- Net Price
- $36,613
- #49 in California
- #526 in the United States
- #575 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 67%
- Average SAT
- 1145
- Average ACT
- 23
- Net Price
- $27,707
- #50 in California
- #537 in the United States
- #586 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 70%
- Average SAT
- 1195
- Average ACT
- 25
- Net Price
- $33,331
- #51 in California
- #548 in the United States
- #598 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 76%
- Average SAT
- 1148
- Average ACT
- 24
- Net Price
- $25,417
- #52 in California
- #549 in the United States
- #599 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 75%
- Average SAT
- 1063
- Average ACT
- 20
- Receiving Aid
- 81%
- #54 in California
- #566 in the United States
- #618 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 76%
- Average SAT
- 1170
- Average ACT
- 26
- Net Price
- $31,180
- #55 in California
- #580 in the United States
- #633 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 81%
- Receiving Aid
- 90%
- Average Aid
- $10,599
- Enrollment
- 11,531
- #56 in California
- #594 in the United States
- #648 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 89%
- Receiving Aid
- 90%
- Average Aid
- $9,738
- Enrollment
- 10,974
- #57 in California
- #610 in the United States
- #665 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 14%
- Net Price
- $36,552
- Receiving Aid
- 48%
- Average Aid
- $36,748
- #58 in California
- #615 in the United States
- #670 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 5%
- Enrollment
- 91
- Male:Female
- 34:66
- Founded
- 1994
- #59 in California
- #622 in the United States
- #678 in North America
- Enrollment
- 2,432
- Male:Female
- 51:49
- Founded
- 1901
- #61 in California
- #715 in the United States
- #779 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 91%
- Average SAT
- 1125
- Average ACT
- 23
- Net Price
- $34,905
- #62 in California
- #730 in the United States
- #796 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 57%
- Average SAT
- 1129
- Average ACT
- 23
- Net Price
- $26,363
- #63 in California
- #735 in the United States
- #802 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 55%
- Average SAT
- 1115
- Average ACT
- 22
- Net Price
- $27,933
- #64 in California
- #748 in the United States
- #815 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 71%
- Average SAT
- 1160
- Average ACT
- 24
- Net Price
- $29,693
- #65 in California
- #769 in the United States
- #836 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 100%
- Net Price
- $43,409
- Receiving Aid
- 69%
- Average Aid
- $11,327
- #66 in California
- #795 in the United States
- #862 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 65%
- Average SAT
- 1215
- Average ACT
- 26
- Net Price
- $32,663
- #67 in California
- #808 in the United States
- #875 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 65%
- Enrollment
- 1,476
- Male:Female
- 25:75
- Founded
- 1968
- #68 in California
- #809 in the United States
- #876 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 100%
- Receiving Aid
- 67%
- Average Aid
- $5,000
- Enrollment
- 13,048
- #69 in California
- #821 in the United States
- #889 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 32%
- Average SAT
- 1412
- Average ACT
- 32
- Net Price
- $39,702
- #70 in California
- #823 in the United States
- #891 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 40%
- Average SAT
- 1335
- Average ACT
- 29
- Net Price
- $14,439
- #71 in California
- #829 in the United States
- #897 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 25%
- Net Price
- $54,594
- Receiving Aid
- 94%
- Average Aid
- $16,651
- #72 in California
- #848 in the United States
- #916 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 79%
- Enrollment
- 792
- Male:Female
- 28:72
- #73 in California
- #853 in the United States
- #921 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 100%
- Net Price
- $20,415
- Receiving Aid
- 89%
- Average Aid
- $4,701
- #74 in California
- #854 in the United States
- #923 in North America
- Enrollment
- 3,792
- Male:Female
- 39:61
- Founded
- 1977
- #75 in California
- #860 in the United States
- #929 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 74%
- Average SAT
- 1225
- Average ACT
- 27
- Net Price
- $33,183
- #76 in California
- #897 in the United States
- #966 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 85%
- Net Price
- $42,065
- Receiving Aid
- 86%
- Average Aid
- $24,342
- #77 in California
- #911 in the United States
- #980 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 100%
- Receiving Aid
- 57%
- Average Aid
- $5,489
- Enrollment
- 27,497
- #78 in California
- #914 in the United States
- #983 in North America
- Enrollment
- 981
- Male:Female
- 23:77
- Founded
- 1974
- #79 in California
- #916 in the United States
- #985 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 78%
- Average SAT
- 1100
- Average ACT
- 21
- Net Price
- $23,055
- #80 in California
- #939 in the United States
- #1008 in North America
- Enrollment
- 688
- Male:Female
- 20:80
- Founded
- 1971
- #81 in California
- #946 in the United States
- #1015 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 89%
- Average SAT
- 960
- Net Price
- $29,382
- Receiving Aid
- 33%
- #82 in California
- #953 in the United States
- #1022 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 71%
- Net Price
- $47,352
- Receiving Aid
- 57%
- Average Aid
- $17,168
- #83 in California
- #962 in the United States
- #1031 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 55%
- Average SAT
- 1030
- Average ACT
- 20
- Net Price
- $25,414
- #84 in California
- #977 in the United States
- #1047 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 32%
- Average SAT
- 889
- Net Price
- $16,103
- Receiving Aid
- 93%
- #85 in California
- #982 in the United States
- #1052 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 45%
- Enrollment
- 580
- Male:Female
- 40:60
- Founded
- 1997
- #86 in California
- #1003 in the United States
- #1074 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 13%
- Enrollment
- 2,999
- Male:Female
- 18:82
- Founded
- 1979
- #87 in California
- #1006 in the United States
- #1077 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 59%
- Enrollment
- 793
- Male:Female
- 44:56
- Founded
- 1924
- #88 in California
- #1041 in the United States
- #1114 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 86%
- Receiving Aid
- 83%
- Average Aid
- $8,972
- Enrollment
- 7,525
- #89 in California
- #1045 in the United States
- #1119 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 53%
- Average SAT
- 1060
- Average ACT
- 21
- Net Price
- $22,585
- #90 in California
- #1053 in the United States
- #1127 in North America
- Enrollment
- 4,353
- Male:Female
- 32:68
- Founded
- 1973
- #91 in California
- #1079 in the United States
- #1153 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 46%
- Enrollment
- 819
- Male:Female
- 42:58
- Founded
- 1911
- #92 in California
- #1090 in the United States
- #1164 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 100%
- Enrollment
- 1,125
- Male:Female
- 29:71
- Founded
- 1964
- #93 in California
- #1091 in the United States
- #1165 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 100%
- Net Price
- $1,489
- Receiving Aid
- 31%
- Average Aid
- $912
- #94 in California
- #1103 in the United States
- #1177 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 56%
- Enrollment
- 2,029
- Male:Female
- 24:76
- Founded
- 1909
- #95 in California
- #1112 in the United States
- #1186 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 69%
- Net Price
- $34,835
- Receiving Aid
- 47%
- Average Aid
- $5,078
- #96 in California
- #1113 in the United States
- #1187 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 66%
- Average SAT
- 1080
- Average ACT
- 22
- Net Price
- $26,349
- #97 in California
- #1123 in the United States
- #1197 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 100%
- Receiving Aid
- 45%
- Average Aid
- $4,661
- Enrollment
- 15,123
- #98 in California
- #1143 in the United States
- #1217 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 49%
- Average SAT
- 1065
- Average ACT
- 21
- Net Price
- $20,376
- #100 in California
- #1164 in the United States
- #1238 in North America
- Acceptance Rate
- 31%
- Enrollment
- 1,075
- Male:Female
- 18:82
- Founded
- 1975
Closest to California states
| State | Universities Unis | Best university country rank Best uni  rank |
|---|---|---|
| Nevada | 10 | 136 |
| Oregon | 33 | 64 |
| Utah | 21 | 45 |
| Arizona | 28 | 33 |
| Idaho | 10 | 155 |
| Washington | 57 | 6 |
| Wyoming | 1 | 140 |
| Colorado | 38 | 46 |
| New Mexico | 12 | 79 |
| Montana | 12 | 147 |
| Nebraska | 23 | 72 |
| South Dakota | 15 | 248 |
| Kansas | 32 | 66 |
| Texas | 119 | 19 |
| Oklahoma | 31 | 93 |
| North Dakota | 14 | 192 |
| Minnesota | 49 | 13 |
| Iowa | 39 | 47 |
| Missouri | 68 | 35 |
| Arkansas | 24 | 126 |
| Louisiana | 27 | 77 |
| Wisconsin | 48 | 14 |
| Illinois | 100 | 15 |
| Mississippi | 18 | 138 |
| Indiana | 55 | 31 |
| Michigan | 62 | 4 |
| Tennessee | 57 | 50 |
| Alabama | 35 | 89 |
| Kentucky | 40 | 60 |
| Ohio | 91 | 25 |
| Georgia | 65 | 48 |
| West Virginia | 26 | 104 |
| South Carolina | 37 | 91 |
| North Carolina | 66 | 16 |
| Virginia | 63 | 39 |
| Alaska | 6 | 184 |
| Pennsylvania | 155 | 11 |
| Florida | 110 | 27 |
| District of Columbia | 15 | 67 |
| Maryland | 34 | 12 |
| New York | 221 | 8 |
| Delaware | 5 | 85 |
| New Jersey | 47 | 24 |
| Vermont | 20 | 105 |
| Hawaii | 10 | 190 |
| Connecticut | 29 | 10 |
| Massachusetts | 89 | 1 |
| New Hampshire | 17 | 71 |
| Rhode Island | 12 | 52 |
| Maine | 19 | 159 |
| Puerto Rico | 52 | 421 |
| Virgin Islands | 1 | 784 |
| American Samoa | 1 | 1890 |
| Northern Marianas | 1 | 1949 |
| Guam | 2 | 604 |