The Best Colleges In Southern California

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Welcome to Colleges in Southern California

Explore academic programs, student demographics, faculty details, housing options, and reviews.  Hear about alumni success stories, faculty reviews and other essential info to guide your college selection process.  Learn effective strategies for securing scholarships, grants and financing options.  Learn how to choose the right college and ace your admissions interviews.

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Best College Sports Teams in Southern California
2024 Most Expensive Colleges in Southern California
Best IT Schools in Southern California
Best Scholarships in California
Colleges in California with the Best Alumni Networks
Best Colleges in California for Political Science
Best Colleges in Southern California for Academics
Colleges in Southern California with the Best Financial Aid
Colleges in Southern California with the Worst Financial Aid
Colleges in California with the Happiest Students
The Largest College Campuses in California
Best Colleges in California for Architecture


southern California college students relaxing on campus

California College News:


Resources for College Planning

Government and Institutional official resources for college planning offer essential support, such as information on state and federal financial aid, college applications, and career planning.


California Student Aid Commission (CSAC)

  • Website: csac.ca.gov
  • Info on state financial aid programs.
  • Description: The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) provides information on state financial aid programs such as Cal Grants, the Middle Class Scholarship, and the Dream Act application.
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FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

  • Website: fafsa.ed.gov
  • Federal financial aid application.
  • Description: Completing the FAFSA is the first step in securing federal financial aid for college.
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College Board

  • Website: collegeboard.org
  • SAT, AP exams, college planning tools.
  • Description: The College Board provides resources for SAT and AP exams, college planning tools, and scholarship searches.
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Common Application

  • Website: commonapp.org
  • College application platform.
  • Description: The Common Application is a widely used platform that allows students to apply to multiple colleges with one application.
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California Dream Act Application

  • Website: dream.csac.ca.gov
  • Financial aid for undocumented students.
  • Description: The California Dream Act Application enables undocumented and nonresident students to apply for state financial aid.
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College Navigator

  • Website: nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator
  • Detailed college information.
  • Description: College Navigator provides detailed information about colleges in California and across the U.S.,
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California College Guidance Initiative (CCGI)

  • Website: californiacollege.edu
  • College planning and career exploration.
  • Description: The California College Guidance Initiative (CCGI) helps California students plan, prepare, and pay for college.
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UC Transfer Admission Planner (UC TAP)

  • Website: uctap.universityofcalifornia.edu
  • Transfer planning tool.
  • Description: The UC Transfer Admission Planner (UC TAP) is an online tool designed to help California community college students track and plan their coursework to transfer to a UC campus.
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Assist.org

  • Website: assist.org
  • Transfer information for community college students.
  • Description: Assist.org provides information on how community college courses can be applied when transferred to a CSU or UC campus.
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National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC)

  • Website: nacacnet.org
  • College admission resources.
  • Description: The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) offers resources on the college admission process, financial aid, and college fairs.
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American Association of Community Colleges (AACC)

  • Website: aacc.nche.edu
  • Advocacy and resources for community colleges.
  • Description: The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) provides resources and advocacy for community colleges nationwide.
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National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS)

  • Website: nslds.ed.gov
  • Federal student loan information.
  • Description: The National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) provides information on federal student loans and grants.
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Federal Student Aid (FSA)

  • Website: studentaid.gov
  • Federal financial aid information.
  • Description: Federal Student Aid (FSA) offers comprehensive information on federal financial aid, including grants, loans, and work-study programs.
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U.S. Department of Education

  • Website: ed.gov
  • National education policies and programs.
  • Description: The U.S. Department of Education provides information on national education policies, programs, and resources.
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Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH)

  • Website: bls.gov/ooh
  • Career information and job outlook.
  • Description: The Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) provides detailed information on various occupations, including job outlook, required education, and salary information.
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U.S. Department of Labor

  • Website: dol.gov
  • Labor market information and career resources.
  • Description: The U.S. Department of Labor offers resources on labor market trends, employment opportunities, and career planning.
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American Council on Education (ACE)

  • Website: acenet.edu
  • Higher education leadership and advocacy.
  • Description: The American Council on Education (ACE) is a leading advocacy organization for higher education institutions.
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National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

  • Website: nces.ed.gov
  • Education data and research.
  • Description: The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) provides extensive data and research on education in the United States.
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Scholarships.com

  • Website: scholarships.com
  • Scholarship search engine.
  • Description: Scholarships.com is a scholarship search engine that helps students find scholarships to fund their education.
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Peterson’s

  • Website: petersons.com
  • College and scholarship search.
  • Description: Peterson’s provides resources for college search, test preparation, and scholarship search.
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Top

List of Public Universities in California:

Name City Student Population
University of California, Berkeley Berkeley 45,307
University of California, Davis Davis 40,000
University of California, Irvine Irvine 36,032
University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles 46,430
University of California, Merced Merced 8,321
University of California, Riverside Riverside 26,847
University of California, San Diego La Jolla 39,576
University of California, Santa Barbara Santa Barbara 26,314
University of California, Santa Cruz Santa Cruz 19,161
California State University, Bakersfield Bakersfield 11,206
California State University, Channel Islands Camarillo 7,093
California State University, Chico Chico 16,630
California State University, Dominguez Hills Carson 17,027
California State University, East Bay Hayward 14,823
California State University, Fresno Fresno 24,403
California State University, Fullerton Fullerton 41,408
California State University, Long Beach Long Beach 39,359
California State University, Los Angeles Los Angeles 27,675
California State University, Maritime Academy Vallejo 1,100
California State University, Monterey Bay Seaside 7,585
California State University, Northridge Northridge 38,551
California State University, Sacramento Sacramento 31,136
California State University, San Bernardino San Bernardino 20,311
California State University, San Marcos San Marcos 14,434
California State University, Stanislaus Turlock 10,276
San Diego State University San Diego 36,334
San Francisco State University San Francisco 27,075
San Jose State University San Jose 36,085
Sonoma State University Rohnert Park 6,597
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo 21,812
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona Pomona 27,914
Humboldt State University (Cal Poly Humboldt) Arcata 6,001
California State University, Sacramento Sacramento 31,131

 


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California State University (CSU) Campuses:

Name City Student Population
California State University, Bakersfield Bakersfield 11,206
California State University, Channel Islands Camarillo 7,093
California State University, Chico Chico 16,630
California State University, Dominguez Hills Carson 17,027
California State University, East Bay Hayward 14,823
California State University, Fresno Fresno 24,403
California State University, Fullerton Fullerton 41,408
California State University, Long Beach Long Beach 39,359
California State University, Los Angeles Los Angeles 27,675
California State University, Maritime Academy Vallejo 1,100
California State University, Monterey Bay Seaside 7,585
California State University, Northridge Northridge 38,551
California State University, Sacramento Sacramento 31,136
California State University, San Bernardino San Bernardino 20,311
California State University, San Marcos San Marcos 14,434
California State University, Stanislaus Turlock 10,276
San Diego State University San Diego 36,334
San Francisco State University San Francisco 27,075
San Jose State University San Jose 36,085
Sonoma State University Rohnert Park 6,597
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo 21,812
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona Pomona 27,914
Humboldt State University (Cal Poly Humboldt) Arcata 6,001

 


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Best Sports Teams in Southern California:

Rank Team College  City
1 Trojans University of Southern California (USC) Los Angeles
2 Bruins University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Los Angeles
3 Cardinal Stanford University Stanford
4 Golden Bears University of California, Berkeley (Cal) Berkeley
5 Aztecs San Diego State University (SDSU) San Diego
6 Bulldogs California State University, Fresno (Fresno State) Fresno
7 Aggies University of California, Davis (UC Davis) Davis
8 Anteaters University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine) Irvine
9 Waves Pepperdine University Malibu
10 Toreros University of San Diego (USD) San Diego
11 Mustangs California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) San Luis Obispo
12 Spartans San Jose State University (SJSU) San Jose
13 Gauchos University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) Santa Barbara
14 Beach California State University, Long Beach (Long Beach State) Long Beach
15 Titans California State University, Fullerton (CSU Fullerton) Fullerton
16 Broncos Santa Clara University Santa Clara
17 Lions Loyola Marymount University (LMU) Los Angeles
18 Highlanders University of California, Riverside (UCR) Riverside
19 Tritons University of California, San Diego (UCSD) San Diego
20 Lancers California Baptist University (CBU) Riverside
21 Cougars Azusa Pacific University Azusa
22 Bobcats University of California, Merced (UC Merced) Merced
23 Gaels Saint Mary’s College of California Moraga
24 Panthers Chapman University Orange
25 Kingsmen California Lutheran University Thousand Oaks

 


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2024 Most Expensive Colleges in Southern California*:

Expensive California Colleges To Attend (collegeevaluator.com)
Highest Tuition in California (www.univstats.com)


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Best IT Schools in Southern California:


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Best Scholarships in California


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Colleges in California with the Best Alumni Networks:


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Best Colleges in California for Political Science:


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Best Colleges in Southern California for Academics:


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Colleges in Southern California with the Best Financial Aid:


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Colleges in Southern California with the Worst Financial Aid:


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Colleges in California with the Happiest Students:


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The Largest College Campuses in California:


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Best Colleges in Southern California for Architecture:


College Search Engines & Resources:


Resources for Grants:


College Prep Calculators:

Resource Description Website
College Cost Calculator Estimates the total cost of college, including tuition and other expenses. College Board
Financial Aid Calculator Provides an estimate of expected family contribution and financial aid eligibility. FAFSA4caster
Scholarship Search Tool Helps find scholarships based on qualifications and interests. Fastweb
Loan Repayment Calculator Calculates monthly loan payments and total interest. Federal Student Aid
SAT Score Calculator Helps target necessary SAT scores for college applications. The Princeton Review
ACT Score Calculator Assists in planning target ACT scores for colleges. PrepScholar
GPA Calculator Calculates cumulative GPA to help manage academic goals. College GPA Calculator
Net Price Calculator Estimates the actual cost of colleges after scholarships and grants. U.S. Department of Education
Student Budget Calculator Helps plan a budget for college expenses. Mapping Your Future
College Savings Plan Calculator Plans out savings needed to fund college education. Saving for College


Search

Free Reports
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    Seeking a professional education beyond the culinary basics?  Discover programs that encompass Southern California Valley’s agricultural richness, or San Diego’s coastal influences that […]
  • college hat made from dollar billsTop 20 Easiest Financing Resources in California
    California Small Business Loan Guarantee Program Description: Enables small businesses to secure capital for growth and operations by offering a guarantee that reduces risk for lenders. […]
  • american-jewish-universityAmerican Jewish University in Southern California Overview
    Nestled in the scenic hills of Los Angeles, the American Jewish University in Southern California (AJU) stands as a unique educational institution that merges rigorous academic programs with a deep […]
  • chaffey collegeChaffey College Engineering
    Chaffey College was founded by George and William Chaffey in Ontario, California, on March 17, 1883. Initially established as a school dedicated to agriculture, Chaffey College has grown dramatically […]
  • cet-logoCET Santa Maria – Empowering Individuals Through Vocational Training
    Nestled in the vibrant community of Santa Maria, California, the Center for Employment Training (CET) Santa Maria stands as a beacon of opportunity for individuals seeking practical and hands-on […]
  • harvey-mudd-collegePioneering STEM: Harvey University in California
    Harvey Mudd College, founded in 1955, quickly established itself as a pivotal force in the STEM fields within higher education. Located in Claremont, California, and part of the Claremont Colleges […]
  • The Impact of Studying at a Catholic University in California
    Catholic universities are bastions of academic Excellence infused with the values and teachings of the Catholic faith. These institutions provide students with a holistic education that fosters […]
  • Ventura collegeVentura College Acceptance Rate
    How to Get Accepted to Ventura College: A Comprehensive Guide Ventura College, located in Ventura, California, is known for its supportive learning environment, diverse programs, and commitment to […]
  • South western law campusSouthwestern Law School Acceptance Rate
    How to Get Accepted to Southwestern Law School: A Comprehensive Guide Southwestern Law School, located in Los Angeles, California, is known for its diverse student body, strong faculty, and […]
  • Rand Graduate SchoolA Guide to Rand Graduate School
    Rand Graduate School (RGS) is a distinguished institution that fosters excellence in policy research and analysis. Established as a division of the renowned Rand Corporation, RGS offers advanced […]
  • businessman checking his phoneThe Best Business Schools in Southern California
    A business college is an institution of higher education that offers programs and degrees focused on business and management disciplines. The Best Business Schools in Southern California provide […]
  • Biology student in the labThe Best Colleges in California for Biology Majors
    The Best Colleges in California for Biology Majors refer to institutions recognized for their exceptional academic programs, faculty expertise, research opportunities, resources, and student support […]
  • music student playing guitarMusic Studies in California
    Choosing the right college for music studies is a significant decision that can shape your future career and personal growth. Southern California is an ideal destination for aspiring musicians, […]
  • nursing students in classTop Nursing Schools in California Compared
    Choosing the right nursing school in California is a crucial step in your journey to a rewarding career in healthcare. California is home to numerous prestigious institutions that offer a variety of […]
  • moreno-valley-college campus arial photoHow Moreno Valley College Can Change Your Life
    Moreno Valley College (MVC), established in 1991, is a prominent community college located in Southern California’s Inland Empire. As part of the Riverside Community College District, MVC offers a […]
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