List of colleges and universities in California

This is a list of colleges and universities in California.
Federal institutions
Graduate institutions
Other academic institutions
State institutions
Two-year institutions
Four-year institutions
University of California
| Name | City | County | Enrollment[1] (Fall 2024) |
Founded | Athletics |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of California, Berkeley | Berkeley | Alameda | 45,882 | 1869 | NCAA Div. I (ACC, MPSF, America East) |
| University of California, Davis | Davis | Yolo | 40,065 | 1905 | NCAA Div. I (Big Sky, MPSF, Big West, America East) |
| University of California, Irvine | Irvine | Orange | 37,297 | 1965 | NCAA Div. I (Big West, MPSF, GCC) |
| University of California, Los Angeles | Los Angeles | Los Angeles | 47,335 | 1882* | NCAA Div. I (Big Ten, MPSF) |
| University of California, Merced | Merced | Merced | 9,110 | 2005 | NCAA Div. II (CCAA) |
| University of California, Riverside | Riverside | Riverside | 26,384 | 1954 | NCAA Div. I (Big West) |
| University of California, San Diego | San Diego | San Diego | 44,256 | 1960 | NCAA Div. I (Big West, MPSF) |
| University of California, Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara | 26,133 | 1891** | NCAA Div. I (Big West, MPSF, GCC) |
| University of California, Santa Cruz | Santa Cruz | Santa Cruz | 19,938 | 1965 | NCAA Div. III (C2C, ASC) |
*University of California, Los Angeles was founded in 1882 as the southern branch of the California State Normal School. It joined the University of California system in 1919 as the southern branch of the University of California.
**University of California, Santa Barbara was founded in 1891 as an independent teachers' college. It joined the University of California system in 1944.
California State University
*California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo was founded as a vocational high school. It became a vocational school in 1924, and then started awarding bachelor's degrees in 1940.
**California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, was founded as a southern branch of California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo in 1938, but became independent in 1966.
State graduate institutions
Private institutions
| Name | City | County | Founded | Carnegie Classification[a] | Profit[b] | Enrollment (fall 2024) | Affiliation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academy of Art University | San Francisco | San Francisco | 1929 | Special Focus Four-Year: Arts, Music & Design Schools | for-profit | 5,498 | --- |
| Alliant International University | San Diego | San Diego | 1952 | Doctoral Universities: Moderate Research Activity | for-profit | 4,530 | --- |
| American Heritage University of Southern California | Ontario | San Bernardino | 2003 | Not classified | for-profit | --- | --- |
| American Jewish University | Los Angeles | Los Angeles | 1947 | Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts & Sciences Focus | not-for-profit | 424 | Judaism |
| American Management University | California | Los Angeles | 2018 | Not classified | Exempt verified private university | --- | International Alliance of Business Professionals (IABP) |
| Anaheim University | Anaheim | Orange | 1996 | Not classified | for-profit | --- | --- |
| Antioch University | Los Angeles & Santa Barbara | --- | 1972 | Master's Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs | not-for-profit | 1,173 | --- |
| ArtCenter College of Design | Pasadena | Los Angeles | 1930 | Special Focus Four-Year: Arts, Music & Design Schools | not-for-profit | 2,308 | --- |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa | Los Angeles | 1899 | Doctoral Universities: Moderate Research Activity | not-for-profit | 6,272 | Christian (interdenominational) |
| Biola University | La Mirada | Los Angeles | 1908 | Doctoral Universities: Moderate Research Activity | not-for-profit | 5,434 | Evangelical Christian |
| California Baptist University | Riverside | Riverside | 1950 | Master's Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs | not-for-profit | 11,902 | Christian (Southern Baptist) |
| California Coast University | Santa Ana | Orange | 1996 | Not classified | for-profit | --- | --- |
| California Health Sciences University | Clovis | Fresno | 2012 | Doctoral Universities: Health Professions Schools | for-profit | 607 | --- |
| California Institute of Integral Studies | San Francisco | San Francisco | 1968 | Doctoral Universities: Moderate Research Activity | not-for-profit | 1,874 | --- |
| California Institute of Technology | Pasadena | Los Angeles | 1891 | Doctoral Universities: Highest Research Activity | not-for-profit | 2,430 | --- |
| California Institute of the Arts | Valencia | Los Angeles | 1961 | Special Focus Four-Year: Arts, Music & Design Schools | not-for-profit | 1,277 | --- |
| California Lutheran University | Thousand Oaks | Ventura | 1959 | Master's Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs | not-for-profit | 3,351 | Evangelical Lutheran Church in America |
| California Miramar University | San Diego | San Diego | 2005 | Special Focus Four-Year: Business & Management Schools | for-profit | 247 | --- |
| California Metropolitan University | Montclair | San Bernardino | 2020 | Exempt verified private university | non-profit sponsored | International Alliance of Business Professionals (IABP) | |
| California South Bay University | Sunnyvale | Santa Clara | 2007 | Not classified | --- | --- | --- |
| California Southern University | Costa Mesa | Orange | 1978 | Not classified | for-profit | --- | --- |
| California University of Management and Sciences | Anaheim | Orange | 1998 | Master's Colleges & Universities: Medium Programs | not-for-profit | --- | --- |
| California University of Management and Technology | San Jose | Santa Clara | --- | Not classified | --- | --- | --- |
| Chapman University | Orange | Orange | 1861 | Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity | --- | 9,760 | Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) |
| Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science | Willowbrook | Los Angeles | 1966 | Special Focus Four-Year: Other Health Professions Schools | not-for-profit | 852 | --- |
| Claremont Graduate University | Claremont | Los Angeles | 1925 | Doctoral Universities: Higher Research Activity | not-for-profit | 1,771 | Claremont Colleges |
| Claremont Lincoln University | Claremont | Los Angeles | 2011 | Master's Colleges & Universities: Small Programs | not-for-profit | 271 | --- |
| Claremont McKenna College | Claremont | Los Angeles | 1946 | Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts & Sciences Focus | not-for-profit | 1,393 | Claremont Colleges |
| Concordia University Irvine | Irvine | Orange | 1976 | Master's Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs | not-for-profit | 3,658 | Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod |
| The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone | St. Helena | Napa | 1995 | Special Focus Four-Year: Other Special Focus Institutions | not-for-profit | --- | --- |
| Deep Springs College | Deep Springs | Inyo | 1917 | Not classified | --- | --- | --- |
| Design Institute of San Diego | San Diego | San Diego | 1977 | Special Focus Four-Year: Arts, Music & Design Schools | for-profit | 94 | --- |
| DeVry University | various | various | 1931 | Master's Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs | for-profit | 2,403 | --- |
| Dharma Realm Buddhist University | Ukiah | Mendocino | 1976 | NC | Private, not-for-profit | 52 | Buddhism (Dharma Realm Buddhist Association) |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael | Marin | 1890 | Master's Colleges & Universities: Medium Programs | not-for-profit | 1,900 | Roman Catholic (Dominican Order) |
| Epic Bible College | Sacramento | Sacramento | 1974 | Special Focus Four-Year: Faith-Related Institutions | not-for-profit | 98 | Christian (non-denominational) |
| Fielding Graduate University | Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara | 1974 | Doctoral Universities | not-for-profit | 915 | --- |
| Frederick S. Pardee RAND Graduate School | Santa Monica | Los Angeles | 1970 | Special Focus Four-Year: Other Special Focus Institutions | not-for-profit | 230 | --- |
| Fresno Pacific University | Fresno | Fresno | 1944 | Master's Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs | not-for-profit | 2,879 | Mennonite Brethren Church |
| Fuller Theological Seminary | Pasadena | Los Angeles | 1947 | Special Focus Four-Year: Faith-Related Institutions | not-for-profit | 1,890 | Christian (multidenominational) |
| Gateway Seminary | Ontario | San Bernardino | 1944 | --- | not-for-profit | --- | Christian (Southern Baptist) |
| Golden Gate University | San Francisco | San Francisco | 1901 | Master's Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs | not-for-profit | 3,098 | --- |
| Graduate Theological Union | Berkeley | Alameda | 1962 | Special Focus Four-Year: Faith-Related Institutions | not-for-profit | 150 | --- |
| Gurnick Academy | San Mateo, California | San Mateo County | 2004 | Four or more years (Baccalaureate or higher degree) | for-profit | 3,437 | --- |
| Harvey Mudd College | Claremont | Los Angeles | 1955 | Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts & Sciences Focus | not-for-profit | 951 | Claremont Colleges |
| Hope International University | Fullerton | Orange | 1928 | Master's Colleges & Universities: Medium Programs | not-for-profit | 1,025 | Christian churches and churches of Christ |
| Hult International Business School | San Francisco | San Francisco | 1964 | Special Focus Four-Year: Business & Management Schools | not-for-profit | --- | --- |
| Humphreys University | Stockton | San Joaquin | 1896 | Baccalaureate Colleges: Diverse Fields | not-for-profit | 699 | --- |
| Imago Dei College | Oak Glen | San Bernardino | 2010 | Not classified | --- | --- | Evangelical |
| International Technological University | San Jose | Santa Clara | 1994 | Master's Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs | not-for-profit | --- | --- |
| Institute of Buddhist Studies | Berkeley | Alameda | 1966 | Special Focus Four-Year: Faith-Related Institutions | not-for-profit | --- | Buddhism (Jodo Shinshu) |
| Jessup University | Rocklin | Placer | 1939 | Baccalaureate Colleges: Diverse Fields | not-for-profit | 1,865 | Evangelical Christian |
| John Paul the Great Catholic University | Escondido | San Diego | 2003 | Baccalaureate Colleges: Diverse Fields | not-for-profit | 286 | Roman Catholic |
| Keck Graduate Institute | Claremont | Los Angeles | 1997 | Master's Colleges & Universities: Small Programs | not-for-profit | 622 | Claremont Colleges |
| La Sierra University | Riverside | Riverside | 1992 | Master's Colleges & Universities: Small Programs | not-for-profit | 1,574 | Seventh-day Adventist Church |
| Laguna College of Art and Design | Laguna Beach | Orange | 1961 | Special Focus Four-Year: Arts, Music & Design Schools | not-for-profit | 775 | --- |
| Life Pacific University | San Dimas | Los Angeles | 1923 | Special Focus Four-Year: Faith-Related Institutions | not-for-profit | 621 | International Church of the Foursquare Gospel |
| Lincoln University | Oakland | Alameda | 1926 | Special Focus Four-Year: Business & Management Schools | not-for-profit | 436 | --- |
| Loma Linda University | Loma Linda | San Bernardino | 1905 | Special Focus Four-Year: Medical Schools & Centers | not-for-profit | 4,210 | Seventh-day Adventist Church |
| Los Angeles College of Music | Pasadena | Los Angeles | 1996 | Special Focus Four-Year: Arts, Music & Design Schools | for-profit | 261 | --- |
| Loyola Marymount University | Los Angeles | Los Angeles | 1911 | Master's Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs | not-for-profit | 10,179 | Roman Catholic (Society of Jesus (Jesuits), Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary (Marymount Sisters), Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange) |
| The Master's University | Santa Clarita | Los Angeles | 1927 | Master's Colleges & Universities: Small Programs | not-for-profit | 2,860 | Christian (non-denominational) |
| Menlo College | Atherton | San Mateo | 1927 | Special Focus Four-Year: Business & Management Schools | not-for-profit | 810 | --- |
| Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey | Monterey | Monterey | 1955 | Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts & Sciences Focus | not-for-profit | 526 | Middlebury College |
| Minerva University | San Francisco | San Francisco, California | 2011 | Special Focus Four-Year: Science, Management and Arts courses | not-for-profit | 669 | --- |
| Mount St. Mary's University | Los Angeles | Los Angeles | 1925 | Master's Colleges & Universities: Medium Programs | not-for-profit | 2,312 | Roman Catholic (Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet) |
| National University | La Jolla | San Diego | 1971 | Master's Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs | not-for-profit | 22,115 | --- |
| New York Film Academy | Los Angeles | Los Angeles | 1992 | Special Focus Four-Year: Arts, Music & Design Schools | for-profit | 1,132 | --- |
| NewSchool of Architecture and Design | San Diego | San Diego | 1980 | Special Focus Four-Year: Arts, Music & Design Schools | for-profit | 273 | Laureate International Universities |
| Northwestern Polytechnic University | Fremont | Alameda | 1984 | Not classified | not-for-profit | --- | --- |
| Notre Dame de Namur University | Belmont | San Mateo | 1851 | Master's Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs | not-for-profit | 306 | Roman Catholic (Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur) |
| Oak Valley College | San Dimas | San Bernardino | 2016 | Not classified | not-for-profit | 75 | Christian |
| Occidental College | Los Angeles | Los Angeles | 1887 | Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts & Sciences Focus | not-for-profit | 1,881 | --- |
| Oikos University | Oakland | Alameda | 2004 | Not classified | not-for-profit | --- | --- |
| Open Christian University | Laguna Beach | Orange County | 2023 | Exempt Religious Provider | not-for-profit | --- | Non-denominational institution |
| Otis College of Art and Design | Westchester | Los Angeles | 1918 | Special Focus Four-Year: Arts, Music & Design Schools | not-for-profit | 1,267 | --- |
| Pacific College of Health and Science | San Diego | San Diego | 1986 | not classified | for-profit | 786 | --- |
| Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary | Berkeley | Alameda | 1950 | Special Focus Four-Year: Faith-Related Institutions | not-for-profit | --- | Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, California Lutheran University |
| Pacific Oaks College | Pasadena | Los Angeles | 1958 | Special Focus Four-Year: Other Special Focus Institutions | not-for-profit | 1,068 | --- |
| Pacific School of Religion | Berkeley | Alameda | 1866 | Special Focus Four-Year: Faith-Related Institutions | not-for-profit | 124 | United Church of Christ, United Methodist Church, Disciples of Christ |
| Pacific Union College | Angwin | Napa | 1882 | Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts & Sciences Focus | not-for-profit | 974 | Seventh-day Adventist Church |
| Pacifica Graduate Institute | Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara | 1976 | Special Focus Four-Year: Other Health Professions Schools | for-profit | 833 | --- |
| Palo Alto University | Palo Alto | Santa Clara | 1975 | Special Focus Four-Year: Other Health Professions Schools | not-for-profit | 1,065 | --- |
| Patten University | Oakland | Alameda | 1944 | Baccalaureate Colleges (Diverse Fields) | for-profit | --- | --- |
| Pepperdine University | Malibu | Los Angeles | 1937 | Doctoral Universities: Moderate Research Activity | not-for-profit | 8,976 | Churches of Christ |
| Pitzer College | Claremont | Los Angeles | 1963 | Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts & Sciences Focus | not-for-profit | 1,242 | Claremont Colleges |
| Point Loma Nazarene University | San Diego | San Diego | 1902 | Master's Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs | not-for-profit | 4,757 | Church of the Nazarene |
| Pomona College | Claremont | Los Angeles | 1887 | Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts & Sciences Focus | not-for-profit | 1,700 | Claremont Colleges |
| St. John's University (California) | Temecula | Riverside County | 1969 | Baccalaureate/associate's colleges, Distance learning | not-for-profit | --- | Christian |
| Saint Mary's College of California | Moraga | Contra Costa | 1863 | Master's Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs | not-for-profit | 2,734 | Roman Catholic (De La Salle Brothers) |
| St. Photios Orthodox Theological Seminary | Etna | Siskiyou | 2015 | Not classified | not-for-profit | --- | Orthodox Christian |
| Samuel Merritt University | Oakland | Alameda | 1909 | Special Focus Four-Year: Other Health Professions Schools | not-for-profit | 1,926 | --- |
| San Diego Christian College | Santee | San Diego | 1970 | Baccalaureate Colleges: Diverse Fields | not-for-profit | 96 | Christian |
| San Diego University for Integrative Studies | San Diego | San Diego | 1999 | Not classified | --- | --- | --- |
| San Francisco Conservatory of Music | San Francisco | San Francisco | 1917 | Music conservatory; bachelors and masters degree in performance, composition, recording, and technology | 439 | ||
| San Francisco Institute of Architecture | Berkeley | Alameda | 1990 | Not classified | --- | --- | --- |
| San Joaquin College of Law | Clovis | Fresno | 1969 | Special Focus Four-Year: Law Schools | not-for-profit | 154 | --- |
| San Joaquin Valley College | Multiple Locations | 1977 | Not classified | for proft | 7,581 | -- | |
| Santa Clara University | Santa Clara | Santa Clara | 1851 | Master's Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs | not-for-profit | 9,728 | Roman Catholic (Society of Jesus (Jesuits)) |
| Saybrook University | Oakland | Alameda | 1971 | Special Focus Four-Year: Other Health Professions Schools | not-for-profit | 1,057 | --- |
| Scripps College | Claremont | Los Angeles | 1926 | Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts & Sciences Focus | not-for-profit | 1,137 | Claremont Colleges |
| Simpson University | Redding | Shasta | 1921 | Master's Colleges & Universities: Small Programs | not-for-profit | 992 | Christian and Missionary Alliance |
| Soka University of America | Aliso Viejo | Orange | 2001 | Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts & Sciences Focus | not-for-profit | 495 | --- |
| Southern California Institute of Architecture | Los Angeles | Los Angeles | 1972 | Special Focus Four-Year: Arts, Music & Design Schools | not-for-profit | 418 | --- |
| Southern States University | San Diego | San Diego | 1983 | Not classified | for-profit | --- | --- |
| Southwestern Law School | Los Angeles | Los Angeles | 1972 | Special Focus Four-Year: Law Schools | not-for-profit | 1,006 | --- |
| Stanford University | Stanford | Santa Clara | 1891 | Doctoral Universities: Highest Research Activity | not-for-profit | 18,625 | --- |
| Starr King School for Ministry | Berkeley | Alameda | 1904 | Special Focus Four-Year: Faith-Related Institutions | not-for-profit | 77 | Unitarian Universalist |
| Thomas Aquinas College | Santa Paula | Ventura | 1971 | Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts & Sciences Focus | not-for-profit | 566 | Roman Catholic |
| Touro University California | Vallejo | Solano | 1997 | Special Focus Four-Year: Medical Schools & Centers | not-for-profit | 1,144 | Judaism |
| Trident University International | Cypress | Orange | 1998 | Doctoral Universities: Moderate Research Activity | for profit | --- | --- |
| University of Massachusetts Global | Multiple locations | --- | 2009 | Master's Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs | not-for-profit | 8,996 | --- |
| University of La Verne | La Verne | Los Angeles | 1891 | Doctoral/Professional Universities | not-for-profit | 5,021 | Church of the Brethren |
| University of Redlands | Redlands | San Bernardino | 1907 | Master's Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs | not-for-profit | 3,087 | --- |
| University of San Diego | San Diego | San Diego | 1949 | Doctoral Universities: Moderate Research Activity | not-for-profit | 9,714 | Roman Catholic |
| University of San Francisco | San Francisco | San Francisco | 1855 | Doctoral Universities: Moderate Research Activity | not-for-profit | 8,913 | Roman Catholic (Society of Jesus (Jesuits)) |
| University of Silicon Valley | Sunnyvale | Santa Clara | 1887 | Baccalaureate Colleges: Diverse Fields | for-profit | 477 | --- |
| University of Southern California | Los Angeles | Los Angeles | 1880 | Doctoral Universities: Highest Research Activity | not-for-profit | 46,566 | --- |
| University of the Pacific | Stockton | San Joaquin | 1851 | Doctoral Universities: Moderate Research Activity | not-for-profit | 6,944 | --- |
| University of the People | Pasadena | Los Angeles | 2009 | Master's Colleges & Universities: Small Programs | not-for-profit | 41,961 | --- |
| University of the West | Rosemead | Los Angeles | 1990 | Baccalaureate Colleges: Diverse Fields | not-for-profit | 138 | Buddhism (Fo Guang Shan) |
| University of West Los Angeles | Inglewood | Los Angeles | 1966 | Special Focus Institutions (Law) | for-profit | 367 | --- |
| Vanguard University | Costa Mesa | Orange | 1920 | Master's Colleges & Universities: Small Programs | not-for-profit | 2,246 | Assemblies of God |
| Western Seminary, Sacramento Campus | Sacramento | Sacramento | 1927 | Special Focus Four-Year: Faith-Related Institutions | not-for-profit | --- | Christian |
| Western Seminary, San Jose Campus | Santa Clara | Santa Clara | 1927 | Special Focus Four-Year: Faith-Related Institutions | not-for-profit | --- | Christian |
| Western University of Health Sciences | Pomona | Los Angeles | 1977 | Special Focus Four-Year: Medical Schools & Centers | not-for-profit | 3,665 | --- |
| Westcliff University | Irvine | Orange | 1993 | Special Focus Four-Year: Business & Management Schools | for-profit | 7,686 | --- |
| Westmont College | Montecito | Santa Barbara | 1937 | Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts & Sciences Focus | not-for-profit | 1,310 | Evangelical Christian |
| Whittier College | Whittier | Los Angeles | 1887 | Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts & Sciences Focus | not-for-profit | 795 | --- |
| Woodbury University | Burbank | Los Angeles | 1884 | Master's Colleges & Universities: Medium Programs | not-for-profit | 849 | --- |
| Zaytuna College | Berkeley | Alameda | 2008 | Not classified | not-for-profit | --- | Islam |
Defunct institutions
See also
- List of college athletic programs in California
- Higher education in the United States
- List of American institutions of higher education
- List of recognized higher education accreditation organizations
- List of colleges and universities in San Francisco
Notes
- ^ Classification are based on the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.
- ^ School types are based on the control classification of the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.
References
- ^ a b "How many colleges and universities have closed since 2016?". Education Dive. Retrieved May 14, 2020.