What is the hardest college to get into in California?

According to fall 2022 data from NCES, the hardest colleges to get into in California are Minerva University (1% acceptance rate), Caltech (3% acceptance rate), and Stanford (4% acceptance rate). These schools are even more competitive than some Ivy League institutions.

Private Colleges in California: A Complete List

Updated on July 29, 2024

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Known for their beachy campuses and premier education, private colleges in California top many students’ lists of schools.

Private universities in California — like Stanford, Caltech, and USC — are among the most popular and prestigious in the country.

California is an attractive place for students to attend college, with the natural beauty of SoCal beaches and Northern California’s mesmerizing redwood forests. Proximity to major industry hubs like Silicon Valley, Hollywood, and Los Angeles may also appeal to students.

A private university could be a good fit if you want smaller class sizes, a tight alumni network, and a school with an impressive reputation.

5 Popular Private Colleges in California

We’ve highlighted five popular private colleges in California to help you learn more about your options. We chose these schools based on factors like number of applicants, selectivity, and overall reputation.

1. Stanford University

Avg. Annual Net Price: $17,998
Acceptance Rate: 4%
Total Student Enrollment: 18,283

Often mistaken as an Ivy League school, Stanford’s prestige rivals those of the best schools in the country. And with just a 4% acceptance rate, it’s an extremely selective university.

Spanning over 8,000 acres, Stanford is home to one of the largest campuses in the U.S. Here, you can find over 650 student groups and decades of tradition.

2. University of Southern California

Avg. Annual Net Price: $41,496
Acceptance Rate: 10%
Total Student Enrollment: 48,945

USC is the largest university in Los Angeles, attracting high-achieving students and impressive talent. The average starting salary for USC 2023 graduates was $86,578.

USC’s School of Cinematic Arts boasts notable alumni like George Lucas and Will Farrell. The institution is also renowned for its sports programs, which have produced more Olympians and medalists than any other U.S. university.

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3. California Institute of Technology

Avg. Annual Net Price: $23,397
Acceptance Rate: 3%
Total Student Enrollment: 2,401

Caltech is a highly respected school known primarily for its top-tier science and engineering programs. Students enjoy a 3-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio and small class sizes. Additionally, a whopping 90% of undergraduates participate in research.

The university is based in Pasadena, nestled between Los Angeles and the Angeles National Forest. Here, you can enjoy a historic downtown, mountain backdrops, and lush neighborhoods.

4. Pomona College

Avg. Annual Net Price: $17,423
Acceptance Rate: 7%
Total Student Enrollment: 1,716

Pomona is part of a unique cohort of universities called the Claremont Colleges. Five undergraduate colleges and two graduate universities partner together so students can share classes and resources across schools.

At Pomona, you’ll benefit from small class sizes and a tight-knit community while also having access to a larger university’s course catalog and campus resources.

5. Pepperdine University

Avg. Annual Net Price: $52,216
Acceptance Rate: 50%
Total Student Enrollment: 10,030

An attractive destination for students in California, Malibu is home to beautiful beaches and extravagant celebrity homes. Pepperdine’s mascot, Willie the Wave, reflects the school’s beachside culture.

Pepperdine is a prestigious Christian university with a reputation for student success. Just six months after graduation, 93% of 2023 Pepperdine graduates were employed or attending graduate school.

List of All Private Colleges in California

Here is a complete list of all four-year nonprofit private universities in California. Use the table below to compare data on student population, average net cost, acceptance rate, and number of applicants.

The following school data comes from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Schools with fewer than 500 undergrads were not included in this list.

Private Colleges in California
School	Total Student Enrollment	Avg. Annual Net Price	Acceptance Rate	Number of Applicants
Art Center College of Design	2,420	$53,306	75%	1,339
Azusa Pacific University	7,169	$26,117	79%	3,850
Biola University	5,387	$30,510	60%	4,003
California Baptist University	11,495	$28,596	74%	7,935
California College of the Arts	1,501	$49,945	73%	3,661
California Institute of Technology	2,401	$23,397	3%	13,107
California Institute of the Arts	1,440	$57,288	26%	2,023
California Lutheran University	3,615	$27,080	89%	5,290
Chapman University	10,014	$48,037	56%	15,914
Claremont McKenna College	1,389	$29,978	11%	5,799
Concordia University Irvine	3,744	$29,413	60%	4,564
Dominican University of California	1,877	$51,292	96%	2,011
Fresno Pacific University	3,032	$15,668	58%	1,516
Harvey Mudd College	922	$42,720	13%	4,792
Hope International University	1,116	$30,514	35%	828
La Sierra University	1,614	$28,076	93%	2,238
Laguna College of Art and Design	760	$44,285	78%	268
Los Angeles Pacific University	1,895	$19,075	100%	N/A
Loyola Marymount University	10,165	$54,471	40%	23,361
Menlo College	800	$28,158	68%	3,041
Minerva University	660	$16,556	4%	9,856
Mount Saint Marys University	2,440	$27,434	69%	3,430
National University	18,631	$28,115	100%	N/A
Occidental College	1,942	$47,113	40%	6,573
Otis College of Art and Design	1,312	$49,440	84%	2,459
Pacific Union College	870	$22,799	42%	1,323
Pepperdine University	10,030	$52,216	50%	12,457
Pitzer College	1,212	$34,801	17%	3,464
Point Loma Nazarene University	4,319	$36,370	82%	3,065
Pomona College	1,716	$17,423	7%	12,121
Saint Mary’s College of California	2,765	$31,615	89%	4,308
Santa Clara University	9,178	$49,651	44%	18,843
Scripps College	1,099	$45,505	34%	3,082
Simpson University	874	$28,453	99%	823
Stanford University	18,283	$17,998	4%	53,733
The Master’s University and Seminary	2,606	$33,463	76%	1,157
Thomas Aquinas College	516	$23,039	79%	263
University of La Verne	5,662	$27,216	48%	10,813
University of Redlands	3,460	$28,054	81%	3,622
University of San Diego	8,815	$37,675	47%	15,953
University of San Francisco	9,688	$44,104	51%	25,709
University of Southern California	48,945	$41,496	10%	80,808
University of the Pacific	6,277	$30,975	95%	5,763
Vanguard University of Southern California	2,256	$20,273	65%	3,422
Westmont College	1,284	$36,412	80%	2,244
Whittier College	1,192	$32,436	85%	2,797
William Jessup University	1,624	$28,171	77%	699
Woodbury University	943	$31,257	73%	1,312

Source: NCES

What Is the Cost of Private College in California?

When it comes to tuition, private colleges can have a hefty price tag — especially for California residents.

Private college tuition in California is about $7,000 higher than the national average private school tuition, according to 2022-2023 NCES data. Meanwhile, in-state public college tuition in California is about $1,000 cheaper than the national average.

In 2023, the average tuition cost for private universities in California was $42,017, whereas the average in-state tuition cost for public colleges was about $8,637. Students who live in California can save a significant amount of money by opting for an in-state public university.

That said, private colleges often provide larger financial aid packages and have programs to support students with demonstrated financial need.

Cost of College in California 2022-2023
Institution Type	Average Tuition & Required Fees
Public Four-Year (In-State)	$8,637
Public Four-Year (Out-of-State)	$32,967
Private Four-Year	$42,017
Public Two-Year (In-State)	$1,286
Public Two-Year (Out-of-State)	$9,338

Source: NCES

Frequently Asked Questions About Private Colleges in California

Many students find their private college education worth the effort and expense. Private universities are typically well known for their high-quality education and elite communities.

Attending a prestigious private college can open many doors for employment and connect you with a tight-knit alumni association.

There can be a few downsides to attending a private college. For starters, private universities often have much higher tuition fees than public colleges, especially for in-state students.

Private colleges sometimes offer fewer majors and degree programs as well. If you’re looking for an affordable education or want to explore various majors, a public college may be a better fit.

UCLA is a public research university and part of the University of California system.

The school is often mistaken for a private college due to its renowned reputation and selective admissions process. In 2023, UCLA received 146,000 applications and admitted just 9%.

According to fall 2023 data from NCES, the hardest colleges to get into in California are Caltech (3% acceptance rate), Minerva University (4% acceptance rate), and Stanford (4% acceptance rate). These schools are even more competitive than some Ivy League institutions.

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