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

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 best degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Best

1

Samuel Merritt University
Oakland, CA

41 Best Degrees Awarded

$67,061 Median Starting Salary

Our analysis ranked Samuel Merritt University the best school in the country for a degree in best. Set in the city of Oakland, Samuel Merritt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Samuel Merritt University awarded about 41 best degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from Samuel Merritt University earn around $67,061 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the best program at Samuel Merritt University

2

Western University Of Health Sciences
Pomona, CA

Doctoral Degree Highest Degree Type

37 Best Degrees Awarded

$65,634 Median Starting Salary

Western University Of Health Sciences is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in best, ranking #2. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Pomona. Western University Of Health Sciences awarded about 37 best degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Western University Of Health Sciences generally make around $65,634. Get the full best details for Western University Of Health Sciences

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.