2027 Best Women’s Studies Schools in California
Women’s Studies degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their women’s studies programs.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 20 schools to find the best for women’s studies students.
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Best Schools for Women’s Studies in California
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the women’s studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Women’s Studies
Our analysis ranked University Of California Berkeley the best school in the country for a degree in women's studies. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. There were roughly 17 women's studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. Graduates of the women's studies program make about $34,559 in their early career. University Of California Berkeley graduates carry a median of $15,740 in student loans.
Get the full women's studies details for University Of California Berkeley
University Of California Santa Barbara is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in women's studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. About 17 women's studies degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent year. Women's Studies graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $32,341 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,500.
See the full women's studies program report for University Of California Santa Barbara
University Of California Santa Cruz came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best women's studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Santa Cruz. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 24 women's studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent data year. Women's Studies graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of $31,140 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,747.
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California State University Sacramento is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in women's studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. California State University Sacramento graduates 56% of students within six years. There were roughly 19 women's studies students who graduated with this degree at California State University Sacramento in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, women's studies 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.
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Foothill College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in women's studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public university. Foothill College awarded about 10 women's studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from Foothill College generally make around $94,152. Typical student debt for the program is $11,595.
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San Diego State University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best women's studies schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 18 women's studies degrees were awarded at San Diego State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $29,267. Students borrow a median of $20,499 to complete this degree.
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De Anza College earned the #7 position for women's studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Cupertino. De Anza College awarded about 10 women's studies degrees in the most recent data year. Typical student debt for the program is $7,271.
See the full women's studies program report for De Anza College
Santa Rosa Junior College earned the #8 position for women's studies this year. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 16 women's studies students who graduated with this degree at Santa Rosa Junior College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the women's studies program make about $80,047 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,692.
More information about a degree in women's studies from Santa Rosa Junior College
Diablo Valley College came in at #9 for women's studies this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. Diablo Valley College awarded about 17 women's studies degrees in the most recent data year. Women's Studies graduates of Diablo Valley College earn a median of $27,813 early in their careers. Diablo Valley College graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans.
More information about a degree in women's studies from Diablo Valley College
Evergreen Valley College earned the #10 position for women's studies this year. Evergreen Valley College is a large public school located in the city of San Jose. There were roughly 23 women's studies students who graduated with this degree at Evergreen Valley College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their women's studies degree from Evergreen Valley College earn around $82,879 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,981.
Read more about the women's studies program at Evergreen Valley College
California State University Fullerton earned the #11 position for women's studies this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Fullerton awarded about 11 women's studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $25,305. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000.
More information about a degree in women's studies from California State University Fullerton
Mt San Antonio College placed #12 among the best women's studies schools. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. There were roughly 30 women's studies students who graduated with this degree at Mt San Antonio College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Mt San Antonio College graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans.
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West Valley College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best women's studies schools. Set in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public institution. There were roughly 17 women's studies students who graduated with this degree at West Valley College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. West Valley College graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans.
See the full women's studies program report for West Valley College
City College Of San Francisco earned the #14 position for women's studies this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public institution. About 23 women's studies degrees were awarded at City College Of San Francisco in the most recent year. Students who receive their women's studies degree from City College Of San Francisco earn around $100,031 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,332 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in women's studies from City College Of San Francisco
Santa Monica College placed #15 among the best women's studies schools. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 women's studies degrees were awarded at Santa Monica College in the most recent year.
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East Los Angeles College came in at #16 for women's studies this year. Located in the suburb of Monterey Park, East Los Angeles College is a very large public university. East Los Angeles College awarded about 17 women's studies degrees in the most recent data year. Women's Studies graduates of East Los Angeles College earn a median of $33,595 early in their careers. East Los Angeles College graduates carry a median of $8,180 in student loans.
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Cerritos College landed the #17 spot for women's studies this year. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. About 10 women's studies degrees were awarded at Cerritos College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Typical student debt for the program is $11,306.
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Citrus College earned the #18 position for women's studies this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Glendora. Citrus College awarded about 16 women's studies degrees in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in women's studies from Citrus College
San Jose City College landed the #19 spot for women's studies this year. San Jose City College is a large public school located in the city of San Jose. San Jose City College awarded about 14 women's studies degrees in the most recent data year. Women's Studies graduates of San Jose City College earn a median of $23,253 early in their careers.
Read more about the women's studies program at San Jose City College
Sierra College came in at #20 for women's studies this year. Located in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public university. There were roughly 14 women's studies students who graduated with this degree at Sierra College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from Sierra College generally make around $29,214. Typical student debt for the program is $12,733.
Read more about the women's studies program at Sierra College
More Women's Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 20 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.