2026 Best Best Schools in California

Best programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 2 schools to find the best for best students.

What’s on this page:

• Best Best Schools in California

Best Schools for Best in California

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall best education in California.

Top Schools in Best

1

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

Doctoral Degree Highest Degree Type

75 Best Degrees Awarded

$75,677 Median Starting Salary

Our analysis ranked University Of Southern California the best school in the country for a degree in best. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. There were roughly 75 best students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Best graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $75,677 early in their careers. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. Read more about the best program at University Of Southern California

2

California Baptist University
Riverside, CA

Doctoral Degree Highest Degree Type

19 Best Degrees Awarded

$51,999 Median Starting Salary

Students looking for a strong best program will find one at California Baptist University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. About 19 best degrees were awarded at California Baptist University in the most recent year. Graduates of the best program make about $51,999 in their early career. California Baptist University graduates carry a median of $28,169 in student loans. More information about a degree in best from California Baptist University

Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 2 schools evaluated.

• The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
• Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).

More about our data sources and methodologies.