by our College Data Analytics TeamWith all of the graduate school options in California, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. Our ranking highlights 527 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology.
To help you make your decision, College Factual evaluated graduate schools using more than 20 objective factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, and per-student spending, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
The best graduate school for you depends on what you want to study. Drill down by location and field of study, or explore other rankings below. Start by picking a degree level:
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Learn more about these excellent graduate schools below:
Stanford University earned the #1 spot in this year's Best Graduate Schools ranking in California. Based in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. Stanford University posts a six-year graduation rate of 92%. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Stanford University students take on a median of $10,492 in debt.
University Of California Berkeley came in at #2 on this year's Best Graduate Schools ranking in California. Located in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. University Of California Berkeley graduates report median early-career earnings of $70,847. Graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans.
Santa Clara University came in at #3 on this year's Best Graduate Schools ranking in California. Santa Clara University is a private not-for-profit school based in Santa Clara, CA. About 88% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $61,293 in tuition and fees. Early-career graduates earn a median of $79,380. Typical student debt is $20,144.
University Of Southern California came in at #4 on this year's Best Graduate Schools ranking in California. Located in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. University Of Southern California graduates report median early-career earnings of $75,677. Typical student debt is $15,625.
Out of the 527 graduate schools in California in this year's ranking, San Jose State University landed the #5 spot. Located in San Jose, CA, San Jose State University is a public institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo did well this year, earning the #6 position. This public school is set in San Luis Obispo, CA. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. Students from in state pay about $12,161 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates report median early-career earnings of $61,010. The median student debt is $19,273.
University Of California Los Angeles did well this year, earning the #7 position. This public school is set in Los Angeles, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Early-career graduates earn a median of $63,833. Graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans.
Samuel Merritt University did well this year, earning the #8 position. Samuel Merritt University is a private not-for-profit school based in Oakland, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $50,138. Samuel Merritt University graduates report median early-career earnings of $110,791. The median student debt is $25,000.
University Of California Davis did well this year, earning the #9 position. This public school is set in Davis, CA. University Of California Davis graduates 86% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Graduates go on to earn a median of $53,749 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,404 to complete a degree here.
University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Based in Santa Barbara, CA, University Of California Santa Barbara is a public institution. University Of California Santa Barbara posts a six-year graduation rate of 83%. Students from in state pay about $15,444 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,332. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates report median early-career earnings of $45,488. Graduates carry a median of $15,501 in student loans.
University Of California San Diego ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. Located in La Jolla, CA, University Of California San Diego is a public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. University Of California San Diego graduates report median early-career earnings of $60,797. The median student debt is $17,101.
Loma Linda University placed #12 among the best graduate schools in California. Loma Linda University is a private not-for-profit school based in Loma Linda, CA. In-state tuition and fees run about $29,960. Graduates go on to earn a median of $93,833 early in their careers. The median student debt is $25,094.
University Of California Irvine ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. Set in Irvine, CA, University Of California Irvine is a public institution. University Of California Irvine posts a six-year graduation rate of 87%. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Early-career graduates earn a median of $50,958. Graduates carry a median of $16,539 in student loans.
California Institute Of Technology landed the #14 spot in California this year. California Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit school based in Pasadena, CA. California Institute Of Technology graduates 94% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $65,898. Graduates go on to earn a median of $173,344 early in their careers.
Chapman University did well this year, earning the #15 position. Set in Orange, CA, Chapman University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 82% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $64,984. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,947 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $21,657.
Loyola Marymount University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. Located in Los Angeles, CA, Loyola Marymount University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 79% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,867. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $52,935. Loyola Marymount University students take on a median of $22,248 in debt.
Pepperdine University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. Located in Malibu, CA, Pepperdine University is a private not-for-profit institution. Pepperdine University graduates 83% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,918. Graduates go on to earn a median of $57,582 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $23,645.
Claremont Mckenna College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. Located in Claremont, CA, Claremont Mckenna College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,980. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $66,028. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete a degree here.
Harvey Mudd College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. Harvey Mudd College is a private not-for-profit school based in Claremont, CA. Harvey Mudd College posts a six-year graduation rate of 92%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,613. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $130,443. Typical student debt is $22,730.
University Of San Diego placed #20 among the best graduate schools in California. Based in San Diego, CA, University Of San Diego is a private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $59,486. University Of San Diego graduates report median early-career earnings of $68,281. Students borrow a median of $23,795 to complete a degree here.
University Of San Francisco did well this year, earning the #21 position. University Of San Francisco is a private not-for-profit school based in San Francisco, CA. University Of San Francisco posts a six-year graduation rate of 70%. In-state tuition and fees average $60,522. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $65,223. University Of San Francisco students take on a median of $23,935 in debt.
San Diego State University came in at #22 in this year's ranking. Set in San Diego, CA, San Diego State University is a public institution. San Diego State University graduates 76% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Early-career graduates earn a median of $51,162. Graduates carry a median of $16,417 in student loans.
Pomona College landed the #23 spot in California this year. Located in Claremont, CA, Pomona College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,420. Early-career graduates earn a median of $75,954.
University Of The Pacific came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Set in Stockton, CA, University Of The Pacific is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $57,080 in tuition and fees. University Of The Pacific graduates report median early-career earnings of $77,022. Graduates carry a median of $23,514 in student loans.
Saint Marys College Of California ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. Located in Moraga, CA, Saint Marys College Of California is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $57,803. Saint Marys College Of California graduates report median early-career earnings of $59,760. Students borrow a median of $25,041 to complete a degree here.
Not far behind, these graduate schools also landed in the top of this year’s ranking:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked graduate schools only.
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and per-student spending drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
References
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.
