List of colleges and universities in California

Scripps College in Claremont

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

Name City County Enrollment[1]
(Fall 2024)
Founded Athletics
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo 23,069 1901* NCAA Div. I (Big West, Big Sky, Pac-12, MPSF)
California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt Arcata Humboldt 6,237 1913 NCAA Div. II (CCAA, GNAC)
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona Pomona Los Angeles 27,636 1938** NCAA Div. II (CCAA)
California State University, Bakersfield Bakersfield Kern 10,419 1965 NCAA Div. I (Big West, MPSF, Pac-12)
California State University Channel Islands Camarillo Ventura 5,592 2002 None
California State University, Chico Chico Butte 15,257 1887 NCAA Div. II (CCAA)
California State University, Dominguez Hills Carson Los Angeles 15,182 1960 NCAA Div. II (CCAA)
California State University, East Bay Hayward Alameda 12,326 1957 NCAA Div. II (CCAA, WWPA)
California State University, Fresno Fresno Fresno 24,427 1911 NCAA Div. I (Mountain West, Big 12, MPSF, GCC, NCEA)
California State University, Fullerton Fullerton Orange 43,662 1957 NCAA Div. I (Big West, MPSF)
California State University, Long Beach Long Beach Los Angeles 42,003 1949 NCAA Div. I (Big West, MPSF, GCC)
California State University, Los Angeles Los Angeles Los Angeles 23,163 1947 NCAA Div. II (CCAA, PacWest)
California State University, Monterey Bay Seaside-Marina Monterey 7,713 1994 NCAA Div. II (CCAA)
California State University, Northridge Northridge Los Angeles 38,313 1958 NCAA Div. I (Big West, MPSF)
California State University, Sacramento Sacramento Sacramento 31,943 1947 NCAA Div. I (Big Sky, WAC, AAC, Big West)
California State University, San Bernardino San Bernardino San Bernardino 18,492 1965 NCAA Div. II (CCAA)
California State University San Marcos San Marcos San Diego 16,237 1988 NCAA Div. II (CCAA)
California State University, Stanislaus Turlock Stanislaus 9,724 1957 NCAA Div. II (CCAA, PacWest)
San Diego State University San Diego San Diego 41,137 1897 NCAA Div. I (Mountain West)
San Francisco State University San Francisco San Francisco 22,563 1899 NCAA Div. II (CCAA)
San Jose State University San Jose Santa Clara 37,661 1857 NCAA Div. I (Mountain West, WAC, MPSF, WCC, Southland)
Sonoma State University Rohnert Park Sonoma 5,891 1960 NCAA Div. II (CCAA)

*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

Name City County Founded
California State University, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories Moss Landing Monterey 1966
University of California College of the Law, San Francisco San Francisco San Francisco 1878
University of California, San Francisco San Francisco San Francisco 1899

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

School Location Founded Closed
Berean Bible College Poway 1971 2018
Bethany University Scotts Valley 1911 2011
Bristol University Anaheim 1991 2017
Brooks Institute Ventura 1945 2016
California College of the Arts San Francisco 1907 2026
California College San Diego San Diego 1978 2021
California Concordia College Oakland 1906 1973
California Pacific University Pinole 1976 2016
California Southern Law School Riverside 1971 2020
California State University Maritime Academy Vallejo 1929 2025
Coleman University San Diego 1963 2018[2]
Cumnock College Los Angeles 1930 1942
Cumnock Junior College Los Angeles 1928 1930
Cumnock School of Expression Los Angeles 1894 1942
Drexel University Sacramento Sacramento 2009 2016
Eldorado College Escondido 1961 1997
Emperor's College of Traditional Oriental Medicine Santa Monica 1983 2025
Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising Los Angeles 1969 2025
Herguan University Sunnyvale 2008 2019
Holy Names University Oakland 1868 2023
ICDC College Huntington Park 1995 2016
Immaculate Heart College Los Angeles 1906 1981
John F. Kennedy University Pleasant Hill 1964 2021
Make School San Francisco 2012 2021
Marymount California University Rancho Palos Verdes 1932 2022
Mills College Oakland 1852 2022
Mt Sierra College Monrovia 1990 2019
National Hispanic University San Jose 1981 2015
Providence Christian College Pasadena 2002 2026
San Luis Rey College Oceanside 1950 1968
Shepherd University Los Angeles 1999 2017[2]
Silicon Valley University San Jose 1997 2018
Union Institute & University Multiple Locations 1964 2024
University of Antelope Valley Lancaster 1997 2024
University of Beverly Hills Beverly Hills 2007
University of Northern California, Lorenzo Patiño School of Law Sacramento 1983 2013
University of Northern California Petaluma 1993
Upland College Upland 1920 1965
Washington College of Science and Industry Irvington 1871 1894
Windsor University Los Angeles 1982

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Classification are based on the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.
  2. ^ School types are based on the control classification of the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

References

  1. ^ a b "College Navigator - California". nces.ed.gov. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  2. ^ a b "How many colleges and universities have closed since 2016?". Education Dive. Retrieved May 14, 2020.