Finding the best college in the Golden State is quite the puzzle. Fortunately, aspiring students can use some key criteria to narrow down their choices.
For a college to be considered the best in an area, several factors go into consideration, such as the size, location, student housing options, extracurricular activities, available majors, security, and the likelihood of career success.
Ranked here are the best colleges in California in terms of overall student experience and academic quality based on current statistics. These rankings also account for the graduation rate of its students and their average postgraduate earnings. You may find a great selection for searching for the right college here.
Of course, you shouldn’t stop there; your search should also cover the institutions that cater to your needs, offer programs you care about pursuing, and provide options for financing and other forms of support you may need to continue your studies.
Before you start drafting your application essay, here are five of the best colleges you can start with and why they’re good choices:
- Stanford University
Stanford University is arguably the best college in California because of the quality of education it offers to students pursuing bachelor’s degrees.
The university was ranked the third best nationally according to leading news sites. The social scene is huge here, often serving as a breeding ground for networks that extend into the professional world. One example is the Stanford Pre-Business Association which has connections with many industry players in the global market.
Stanford also caters to students interested in sports such as football. This is supported by the college organizing an annual football competition where the winners get awarded the Stanford Axe.
Plus, Stanford provides students with housing. As a freshman, you’ll be required to live on-campus and be guaranteed accommodation throughout college. Though some students choose to live off-campus, most choose the dorm option thanks to its convenience and security.
- University Of California, Berkeley (UCB)
As the name suggests, it’s located in Berkeley, California. It’s also a public institution, which means it generally offers a wider ceiling of entry and more sustainable rates in terms of expenses.
UCB has a high retention rate for its first-year students, which explains why it’s often ranked as one of the best public universities in the country. It also boasts a cadre of remarkable faculty and alumni in its history, many of them having received a Nobel Prize, Turing Award, or Pulitzer Award.
In addition, the college has a great diversity in the majors and courses offered. This makes its graduates a priority to employers in various lines of work. It also has a wide variety of research programs for students pursuing more degrees.
- University Of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
This college has appeared in many Top 10 lists of the best colleges in the country. It’s a public college located in Los Angeles, California that has had almost 15,000 graduates with different bachelor’s degrees.
UCLA is another college with a high retention rate for first-years. Most graduates also get absorbed into the job market with high salaries within a few years of their graduation.
The college has a high score in its research indicators, making it a great place for students pursuing research.
- California Institute Of Technologies (Caltech)
Located in Pasadena, California, Caltech is among the best-performing institutions in the Golden State. It has a low student population that manages to achieve a high graduation rate from each course.
Such a rate of success may be explained by its student-to-faculty ratio of three to one, which creates an environment where people get more attention and support than they usually would in other settings.
Caltech is a popular choice for students pursuing science and engineering courses.
- University Of Southern California (USC)
USC is a non-profit private institution in Los Angeles, California, a sunny location that contributes to its popularity. The college is also a go-to institution because of its student-centered, high-quality education.
This institution’s curriculum offers opportunities for interdisciplinary collaborations, especially in research. This makes USC a prime location for private research and a worldwide center for technological, arts, and international business courses. Consequently, its undergraduate and graduate programs have a high graduation rate.
Which One Are You Planning To Choose?
California has some of the best colleges in the country, featuring in many Top 10 lists for high-quality institutions in the country. This small selection here is just a sampling of the many options you can pick for your educational pursuits. Feel free to explore even more places to study and prepare for your personal path to success.