Colleges in California
Why go to College in California?
California offers a diversity of experiences at its more than 1,000 colleges and universities. California, the most populated state in the country, offers many school settings, including large public research institutions and private liberal arts colleges. You'll find campuses that are walking distance from the beach and ones that are nestled in the mountains. Many of the California schools offer an online education as well.
What Options are Available for Colleges in California?
On-Campus
On-campus programs are ideal for students planning to attend college straight from high school and those who do not have many responsibilities, like full-time jobs or family care. On-campus students often live in dorms and participate in extracurricular activities. Some students benefit from taking classes in person because of the structured environment and the chance to physically interact with students and teachers.
Online Programs
Online programs offer the same quality education that on-campus learners receive. Online students log into their classes from the comfort of their homes and listen to lectures, participate in discussions, complete coursework, and take exams. Most online programs are taught by the same faculty who teach on campus.
Online programs are ideal for non-traditional students who have full-time jobs and family responsibilities. They have often been out of school for a period of time. Many online programs allow students to complete coursework asynchronously, as long as they meet specified deadlines. This allows students to continue working and managing other responsibilities while they earn their degree. Online programs sometimes cost less than on-campus programs, because many schools offer in-state tuition for all distance learners and accelerated programs. There are also no commuting costs.
Hybrid Programs
Hybrid programs combine elements of traditional, on-campus learning with aspects of online education. Hybrid programs are not taken completely online; they have some in-person requirements. These programs usually have students complete specific curriculum requirements on campus, like exams, labs, and cohort work.
The amount of time students must spend on campus varies between programs. In some cases, students complete all of their coursework online then travel to campus to participate in a weekend or week-long intensive seminar. In other cases, a substantial part of the program takes place on campus.
Popular Degree Programs in California
California's dominant industries influence what majors college students pursue in the state. The motion picture industry, tourism, tech, and aerospace are some of the most prominent industries.
Film, video, and photographic arts Film, video, and photographic arts degrees prepare students for careers in artistic and creative fields. Students learn skills like production, editing, and cinematography. These types of degrees are popular in California because of the state's association with Hollywood and film-making, as well as the support for the arts.
Business management and administration A degree in business management and administration covers starting, running, organizing, and managing organizations. Students learn leadership and management skills that are transferrable to many business situations. Business management and administration is the most common major in the U.S. Its popularity in California has to do with the state's large economy.
What Are the Best Online Colleges in California?
With so many schools to choose from, it's difficult to know where to start the search for an online college in California. Factors to consider include variety and type of programs offered, accreditation status, degree completion length, cost, and breadth of online student resources. Each college and program has different requirements; there is no one-size-fits-all school.
Below you'll find a collection of the best online colleges in California. This resource is designed to help students find the right college for their educational needs.
Top 25 Colleges in California for 2019
Admissions Rate
47%
Graduation Rate
64%
Online Enrollment
10%
Retention Rate
85%
Default Rate
5%
ULV is a private nonprofit university that was founded in 1891 in La Verne, California. It is one of many online schools in California to offer a variety of undergraduate and graduate distance learning programs. ULV offers a diverse range of degree paths, including a bachelor's degree in criminology and criminal justice and an MS in childhood development.
All courses are delivered asynchronously online through the school's distance learning platform, allowing students to complete coursework at their own pace. Applicants must be at least 23 years old and have completed at least 28 transferable credits of college coursework with a minimum GPA of 2.0 to be considered. At this time, only California residents may apply to this online college. ULV is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
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What Are the Best Online Community Colleges in California?
California has hundreds of community colleges and universities. At a university, students can earn bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. Community colleges usually offer two-year degrees and career and technical certificates. Students can often complete the first two years of school at a community college and then transfer to an on-campus or online school in California to complete the remaining bachelor's degree requirements.
Whether you should go to a community college or a university depends on your academic and career goals, lifestyle, and budget. The resources below outline the best online colleges in California and will aid in deciding what path you should follow.
Top 15 Online Community Colleges in California for 2019
Graduation Rate
26%
Online Enrollment
22%
Retention Rate
71%
Default Rate
0%
Founded in 1922, Taft College offers 50 degrees and 50 certificate programs. Students may choose from career-focused programs in petroleum technology, welding, and court reporting. Learners interested in the liberal arts can complete a program in fields such as English, studio art, and history. All of Taft's online courses easily transfer to community colleges and most apply towards four-year degrees. Although they follow an asynchronous format, online courses are not self-paced. Taft limits enrollment in each online course to approximately 35 students, depending on the topic and level. Unlike many online community colleges in California, Taft offers certain courses in an entirely offline format that requires no internet access. Students in these classes submit assignments through mail, hand delivery, or fax. Taft College assists students through grants, work-study programs, and the Taft community scholarship.
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How We Ranked the Schools
To determine the best programs, we looked at the most important factors prospective students, mainly common predictors of future success and a school's commitment to online programs. This boils down to admissions rate, student loan default rate, retention rate, graduation rate, and the percent of students enrolled in online classes. All data points are taken from information provided by colleges and universities to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Each factor is weighted evenly in order to give an objective view and determine the best online master's in management information systems programs. To calculate our rankings, we looked at a school's ranking when organized by a single factor, and then averaged each category's ranking to find an overall score: Admissions Rate (20%) + Default Rate (20%) + Retention Rate (20%) + Graduation Rate (20%) + Percent of Students Enrolled in Online Classes (20%) = Final score.
Education Trends in California
California spends significantly more money on students in postsecondary education than most other states. The average amount of postsecondary education spending per full-time student in the U.S. is $6,954, while California spends $8,522 per student. Another indication of the state's high regard for education is demonstrated by the higher than average percentages of Californians that hold either a bachelor's or graduate degree.
| California | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary Education Spending per Full-Time Student | $8,522 | $6,954 |
| Percent of Tax Revenue Allocated to Higher Education | 5.7% | 5.8% |
| Percentage of adults over 25 with associate degree | 7.8% | 8.1% |
| Percentage of adults over 25 with bachelor's degree | 19.8% | 18.5% |
| Percentage of adults over 25 with graduate degree or higher | 11.6% | 11.2% |
| Source: SHEEO and U.S. Census | ||
Paying for College in California
Tuition can vary depending on school location. California's lower-than-average cost of tuition, it's substantially higher spending per postsecondary student, and its wealth of financial aid and scholarship opportunities highlight the state's commitment to affordable higher education. When determining how to pay for college in California, students should also calculate the cost of living in the area they plan to go to school.
Tuition Prices
The cost of a two-year degree from a public college in California is $1,429, substantially cheaper than the U.S. average of $3,440. The cost for attending a four-year public institution is also less than the U.S. average. Make sure to consider other school costs that are not factored into the price of tuition, including books, transportation, rent, and other living expenses.
Financial Aid
The first step to qualifying for financial aid is to fill out the Federal Application For Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is a form that college students fill out each year to determine eligibility for receiving financial aid. Types of financial aid include scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not need to be repaid. Federal work-study is a needs-based program that finds part-time jobs for college students to help pay for school-related expenses. Work-study jobs often relate to the student's field.
Cost for Online Programs in California
The FAFSA and all financial aid opportunities described above apply to online colleges in California. Online students qualify for federal student loans and many scholarships and grants. Some online programs offer work-study opportunities, although it depends on the school.
Online students can save money by avoiding the costs of commuting, on-campus housing, and childcare. The flexibility of online programs generally allows students to keep their current jobs, and online courses frequently offer less expensive or free textbooks.
Cost of Living by Region
The cost of living in the U.S. varies from city to city. Depending on where you attend college, the cost of living could be one of your largest expenses. Geographic location impacts how much you will need to take out in student loans and how much you'll need to work while in school. Cost of living can affect how much you pay for your education.
Scholarships for California College Students
Can All Scholarships Be Used for Online Programs?
College students have thousands of scholarships to choose from, most of which can be used online or on campus. Scholarships do not usually stipulate that learners must attend an on-campus program. However, it's important to verify that any scholarship you decide to apply for can be used for an online program, as some scholarships may have additional programmatic requirements. In some cases, students may find scholarships available exclusively for online learners.
Employment Outlook in California
As one of the largest states in the country, California has employment opportunities in a wide variety of industries. Hollywood and Silicon Valley include some of the state's largest employers. Other large California industries include tourism, service, food, agriculture, aerospace, finance, and business services. Although California's unemployment rate is slightly higher than the national average, that number is getting smaller. California is outpacing the national average in terms of new jobs added to the economy, a promising sign for new graduates. California residents also make a higher annual salary than the U.S. average. On-campus and online schools in California prepare students for rewarding careers.
| California | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate, May 2017 | 5.1% | 4.3% |
| Annual Mean Wage, May 2016 | $56,840 | $49,630 |
| Source: BLS and BLS | ||
Top Employers and Industries in California
Top Industries in California
Office and Administrative Support Occupations: Office and administrative support occupations include legal secretaries, meter readers, and postal service clerks. Workers in this industry find jobs in the local government, medical offices, and hospitals.
Sales and Related Occupations: The sales industry includes the real estate, insurance, advertising, and telemarketing industry. Most people in sales work at grocery stores, other general merchandise stores, department and clothing stores, and gas stations.
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations: The food industry consists of chefs, fast food workers, dishwashers, hostesses, waiters, and bartenders. Employees in this industry work at restaurants, schools, grocery stores, bars, hotels, and more.
Top Employers in California
Retail Salespersons: 440,440 employees
Cashiers: 404,500 employees
Food Preparation and Serving Workers, Including Fast Food: 372,200 employees
Accreditation for Colleges in California
Students searching for online or on-campus colleges in California should verify that any school they are considering is accredited. Accreditation is a voluntary process that postsecondary schools undergo in order to prove that they are qualified to provide the degrees they offer. Selecting an accredited school is one way students can ensure they receive a quality education and that their degree is recognized by employers.
The most common types of accreditation are regional and national. Regional accreditation is generally considered to be more prestigious than national accreditation. Most nonprofit schools are regionally accredited, while for-profit institutions tend to have national accreditation. Other schools are more likely to accept transfer credit from regionally-accredited institutions. Accreditation for online schools in California is no different than accreditation for on-campus programs. When choosing an online school in California, look for accreditation agencies like the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The U.S. Department of Education maintains a current list of all active accrediting agencies in the country.
Resources for Students in California
Early Academic Outreach Program (EAOP): The University of California created the EAOP to increase the number of students from underserved communities in college. The organization helps students understand college options, apply to schools, select courses, manage finances, and more.
College Futures Foundation: This group helps low-income students get the resources they need to earn their degrees in a timely manner. CFC also works to remove systemic barriers to higher education by providing grants and working with other organizations.
California Virtual Campus: Funded by the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office Online Education Initiative, California Virtual Campus provides information about the state's online higher education programs, including an extensive list of resources helpful to students.
California Colleges: The California College Guidance Initiative created this free guide to help college students learn about financial aid, plan for their careers, and discover the benefits of going to school.
Campaign for College Opportunity: The CCO brings equal opportunity to higher education. The group supports this goal through its policy initiatives, advocacy, partnerships, and public awareness campaigns.