CalChannel · California college guide
California College Guide: Admissions, Costs and Financial Aid
Acceptance rates, tuition and campus profiles for UC, Cal State, private and community colleges, plus plain-language guides to financial aid, scholarships and student loans.
37
college profiles across UC, Cal State, private and community colleges
9
undergraduate UC campuses, every one covered
20
guides to financial aid, scholarships, loans and applications
Popular profiles
College profiles
Find a California college
Each profile covers admissions, cost of attendance, campus size and location, so you can compare schools side by side before you apply.
Public · Research universities
University of California (UC)
The state’s most selective public universities, with nine undergraduate campuses from Davis to San Diego.
Public · Teaching universities
California State University (CSU)
The largest four-year public university system in the country, with campuses from Chico to San Diego.
- San Diego State
- Cal Poly SLO
- Cal State Long Beach
- Cal State Fullerton
- Cal State Northridge
- San José State
- CSU Monterey Bay
- Chico State
- CSU San Bernardino
- CSU Dominguez Hills
Compare Cal State campuses →
Estimate your cost of attendance →
Private · Nonprofit
Private colleges and universities
Higher sticker prices, but many offer generous need-based and merit aid.
- Stanford
- Caltech
- USC
- Loyola Marymount (LMU)
- Pomona College
- Harvey Mudd College
- Occidental College
- Pepperdine
- Chapman
- Santa Clara
- Univ. of San Francisco
- Univ. of the Pacific
- Cal Baptist (CBU)
Compare private colleges →
Scholarships that offset private tuition →
Public · Two-year
Community colleges
The lowest-cost start to a degree and a common path to transfer into a UC or CSU.
- Pasadena City College
- Santa Monica College
- Santa Barbara City College
- Orange Coast College
- Diablo Valley College
Compare community colleges →
Is community college free in California? →
Compare your options
UC vs. CSU vs. community college vs. private: at a glance
California’s college options work very differently. Here is how they compare before you dig into individual schools.
| University of California | California State University | Community colleges | Private colleges | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Research-focused bachelor’s and graduate study | Career-focused bachelor’s and master’s programs | Associate degrees, certificates and a low-cost start before transfer | Smaller classes or specialized programs; varies by school |
| Degrees | Bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral | Bachelor’s, master’s, some applied doctorates | Associate degrees, certificates, a few bachelor’s programs | Varies by school |
| Admission | Selective; A–G courses required; SAT/ACT not considered | A–G courses and GPA; SAT/ACT not used | Open to high school graduates and adults 18+ | Varies; many are test-optional |
| In-state cost | Highest of the public options | Lower than UC | Lowest; many students qualify for fee waivers | Highest sticker price, often reduced by aid |
| Start here | All UC campuses | All CSU campuses | All community colleges | All private colleges |
Admission rules and costs change. Check each college’s official admissions page for the current year.
Financial aid
Paying for college
Most students combine several sources: grants, scholarships, savings, work and, if needed, federal loans. Start with our step-by-step guide to paying for college.
Know the price
Costs and grants
Borrow and earn
Loans and work
Admissions timeline
Your road to college, season by season
What to do and when, from junior year to decision day. Exact dates change each year, so confirm them with each college and the California Student Aid Commission.
Junior year
Build your list
Explore college profiles and consider dual enrollment to earn college credit while still in high school.
Fall, senior year
Apply
Work through the application process, ask early for recommendation letters and track deadlines.
Fall to spring
Apply for aid
File the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application, check Pell Grant eligibility and apply for scholarships.
Spring
Compare offers and decide
Compare aid offers against each school’s cost of attendance before you commit.
New and updated
Latest guides
- College Application Process: UC, CSU and Private Colleges Step by Step
- How to Write a Scholarship Essay That Stands Out
- Scholarship Definition: What a Scholarship Is and How It Works
- College Application Deadlines for Fall 2027: UC, CSU and Private Colleges
- What Is Dual Enrollment? How It Works in California
- Expected Family Contribution: EFC to SAI Explained
FAQ
Common questions about college in California
What is the difference between a UC and a CSU?
The University of California focuses on research and offers doctoral programs, and its campuses are generally more selective. The California State University focuses on teaching and career-oriented bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and usually costs less. Compare them in our UC tuition guide and individual campus profiles.
Is community college free in California?
For many students, enrollment fees are waived through the California College Promise Grant, and some colleges cover the first year or two for first-time students. Books, housing and other costs still apply. See who qualifies and what it covers.
Do UC and CSU require the SAT or ACT?
No. Neither the UC nor the CSU system uses SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions. Grades in A–G courses matter most. Many private colleges are test-optional, so check each school’s policy.
Can I transfer from a community college to a UC or CSU?
Yes. Transfer is one of the most common paths into both systems. Several UC campuses offer a Transfer Admission Guarantee, and an Associate Degree for Transfer guarantees admission to the CSU system. Start with our Santa Monica College and Pasadena City College profiles.
How do California students pay for college?
Most combine federal and state grants, scholarships, savings, work and, if needed, federal loans. California residents may also qualify for the Cal Grant and the Middle Class Scholarship. Our guide to paying for college walks through each option.
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Our sources
About our data
Acceptance rates, tuition and aid rules change every year. We base our figures on each college’s own published data, the federal IPEDS database and the California Student Aid Commission, and we update pages when new numbers come out.
Deadlines and costs can still change, so confirm them with the college before you apply. Learn more about CalChannel