2026 Best Best Schools in California

1

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Our analysis ranked Stanford University the best school in the country for a degree in best. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Stanford. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 19 best students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data year. Best graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $41,156 early in their careers. Stanford University graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Get the full best details for Stanford University

2

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

Students looking for a strong best program will find one at University Of California Davis, which ranked #2. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Davis. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 best degrees were awarded at University Of California Davis in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $32,563. University Of California Davis graduates carry a median of $14,155 in student loans. See the full best program report for University Of California Davis

3

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

Students looking for a strong best program will find one at University Of Southern California, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. About 13 best degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Graduates of the best program make about $75,677 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in best from University Of Southern California

4

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in best, landing the #4 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. About 93% of students finish within six years. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 62 best degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from University Of California Los Angeles earn around $37,581 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Get the full best details for University Of California Los Angeles

5

California State University East Bay
Hayward, CA

Students looking for a strong best program will find one at California State University East Bay, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 33 best students who graduated with this degree at California State University East Bay in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $47,511 in their early career. California State University East Bay graduates carry a median of $18,638 in student loans. See the full best program report for California State University East Bay

6

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. University Of California Irvine awarded about 11 best degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $26,712 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,998 to complete this degree. Read more about the best program at University Of California Irvine

7

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego earned the #7 position for best this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. University Of California San Diego graduates 86% of students within six years. University Of California San Diego awarded about 31 best degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from University Of California San Diego earn around $30,984 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California San Diego graduates carry a median of $23,747 in student loans. Read more about the best program at University Of California San Diego

8

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University came in at #8 for best this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Francisco. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 28 best students who graduated with this degree at San Francisco State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $31,001 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,875 to complete this degree. Get the full best details for San Francisco State University

9

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona placed #9 among the best best schools. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 13 best degrees were awarded at California State Polytechnic University Pomona in the most recent year. Graduates of the best program make about $40,253 in their early career. California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates carry a median of $13,486 in student loans. Get the full best details for California State Polytechnic University Pomona

10

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento earned the #10 position for best this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Sacramento awarded about 27 best degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $30,628. California State University Sacramento graduates carry a median of $18,120 in student loans. More information about a degree in best from California State University Sacramento

11

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton landed the #11 spot for best this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fullerton. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Fullerton awarded about 10 best degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $25,305 in their early career. California State University Fullerton graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. See the full best program report for California State University Fullerton

12

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside landed the #12 spot for best this year. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. University Of California Riverside graduates 76% of students within six years. University Of California Riverside awarded about 25 best degrees in the most recent data year. Best graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $31,443 early in their careers. University Of California Riverside graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. See the full best program report for University Of California Riverside

13

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles earned the #13 position for best this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. There were roughly 13 best students who graduated with this degree at California State University Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Best graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $27,058 early in their careers. California State University Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Get the full best details for California State University Los Angeles