2025 Best Bachelor's Degree Schools in California
When pursuing a college degree in today's world, there are many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its Best Bachelor's Degree Colleges in California ranking as one thing you can use to help make this decision.
What's on This Page: * Our Methodology
Your Choice of School Matters
After analyzing 84 schools in California, we came up with our list of those that offered the best bachelor's degree programs. Our ranking for the best schools is based on objective factors. We steer clear of subjective measures since they don't give a clear picture when determining how one school compares to another. The following gives more info on what goes into our ranking factors and why we consider those factors.
Early-Career Earnings
Average early-career salary of those graduating with a bachelor's degree is one indicator we use in our analysis to find the schools that offer the highest-quality education. This is because one of the main reasons people pursue a degree is to enable themselves to find better-paying positions.
Average Student Debt
In addition to average starting salaries, we also consider the average amount of student loans that students take on while pursuing their bachelor's degree.
The average debt load at a particular school may not be bad, but it's an important thing to consider in conjunction with post-graduation earnings.
Other Ranking Factors in Our Methodology
In addition to average post-graduation earnings and average student debt loads, we also look at a host of other factors to determining our Best Bachelor's Degree Schools ranking.
Several other factors - such as how much the school spends on educational resources, the demand of the school, the availability of online learning options, and the student body caliber - go into our rankings.
We go into more detail on these factors on our best schools ranking methodology page.
Check Out These Other Rankings
If you'd rather work on your bachelor's degree in a specific area of the country, you might be interested in our
rankings by place. Also, check out our other
college rankings to help you with your college decision.
Top Bachelor's Degree Schools in California
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
10,103
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$54,379
Average Early-Career Earnings
$26,995
Average Student Debt
University of California - Berkeley tops this year’s ranking as the best school for bachelor’s degrees in California for overall quality. Located in Berkeley, California, the large public school awarded 10,103 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from UC Berkeley go into careers with an average salary of $54,379 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $26,995 after getting their degree.
Read full report on University of California - Berkeley
1,699
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$70,459
Average Early-Career Earnings
Out of the 84 bachelor’s degree schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Stanford, California, the fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 1,699 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $70,459 during the early years of their career.
Full Stanford University Report
5,642
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$54,432
Average Early-Career Earnings
$45,550
Average Student Debt
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Southern California. The school came in at #3 in California on this year’s best bachelor’s degree schools ranking. University of Southern California is a large private not-for-profit school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 5,642 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $54,432 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $45,550.
Read full report on University of Southern California
9,851
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$43,922
Average Early-Career Earnings
$27,295
Average Student Debt
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Los Angeles. It ranked #4 on our 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California list. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 9,851 students in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from UCLA go into careers with an average salary of $43,922 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $27,295.
Learn More About University of California - Los Angeles
240
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$130,443
Average Early-Career Earnings
$35,445
Average Student Debt
A rank of #5 on our Best Bachelor’s Degree in California list means Harvey Mudd College is a great place for students working on their degree. Harvey Mudd College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Claremont, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 240 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from Harvey Mudd College go into careers with an average salary of $130,443 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $35,445 after getting their degree.
Full Harvey Mudd College Report
461
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$66,029
Average Early-Career Earnings
Claremont McKenna College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California list. Claremont McKenna College is a small private not-for-profit school located in Claremont, California that handed out 461 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from Claremont McKenna go into careers with an average salary of $66,029 during the early years of their career.
Learn More About Claremont McKenna College
6,839
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$44,160
Average Early-Career Earnings
$27,323
Average Student Debt
University of California - Santa Barbara came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California ranking. Santa Barbara, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 6,839 students in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from UCSB make an average of $44,160 per year during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $27,323.
Full University of California - Santa Barbara Report
9,422
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$44,968
Average Early-Career Earnings
$24,146
Average Student Debt
University of California - San Diego ranked #8 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California list. UCSD is a large public school situated in La Jolla, California. It awarded 9,422 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $44,968 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $24,146.
Learn More About University of California - San Diego
9,615
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$43,133
Average Early-Career Earnings
$25,419
Average Student Debt
University of California - Davis did quite well in the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California ranking, coming in at #9. Located in Davis, California, the large public school awarded 9,615 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from UC Davis is $43,133 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $25,419 after getting their degree.
Read full report on University of California - Davis
9,011
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$41,588
Average Early-Career Earnings
$20,621
Average Student Debt
University of California - Irvine landed the #10 spot on the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California ranking. Located in Irvine, California, the large public school awarded 9,011 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $41,588 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $20,621 after getting their degree.
Learn More About University of California - Irvine
160
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$93,239
Average Early-Career Earnings
$19,310
Average Student Debt
With a ranking of #11, San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia did quite well on the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California list. San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia is a private for-profit institution located in Visalia, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 160 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $93,239 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $19,310 after getting their degree.
Read full report on San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia
1,587
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$67,632
Average Early-Career Earnings
$70,949
Average Student Debt
Santa Clara University landed the #12 spot on the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California ranking. Located in Santa Clara, California, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 1,587 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $67,632 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $70,949 after getting their degree.
Full Santa Clara University Report
76
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$81,255
Average Early-Career Earnings
With a ranking of #13, Foothill College did quite well on the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California list. Foothill College is a fairly large public school located in Los Altos Hills, California that handed out 76 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Foothill College is $81,255 during the early years of their career.
Read full report on Foothill College
4,744
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$38,113
Average Early-Career Earnings
$28,224
Average Student Debt
With a ranking of #14, University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well on the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California list. UC Santa Cruz is a fairly large public school situated in Santa Cruz, California. It awarded 4,744 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $38,113 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $28,224 in student loans.
Full University of California - Santa Cruz Report
146
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$77,752
Average Early-Career Earnings
Golden Gate University - San Francisco landed the #15 spot on the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California ranking. Golden Gate University - San Francisco is located in San Francisco, California and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 146 bachelor’s degrees to qualified graduate students.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from Golden Gate University - San Francisco make an average of $77,752 a year.
Learn More About Golden Gate University - San Francisco
1,526
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$41,921
Average Early-Career Earnings
$30,505
Average Student Debt
Azusa Pacific University did quite well in the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California ranking, coming in at #16. Azusa Pacific is a private not-for-profit institution located in Azusa, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,526 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from Azusa Pacific make an average of $41,921 a year. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $30,505.
Full Azusa Pacific University Report
115
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$33,432
Average Early-Career Earnings
With a ranking of #17, Thomas Aquinas College did quite well on the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California list. Located in Santa Paula, California, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 115 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from TAC go into careers with an average salary of $33,432 during the early years of their career.
Full Thomas Aquinas College Report
2,104
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$38,548
Average Early-Career Earnings
$46,448
Average Student Debt
Chapman University did quite well in the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California ranking, coming in at #18. This medium-sized private not-for-profit school is located in Orange, California, and it awarded 2,104 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from Chapman go into careers with an average salary of $38,548 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $46,448 after getting their degree.
Learn More About Chapman University
4,987
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$57,476
Average Early-Career Earnings
$35,683
Average Student Debt
With a ranking of #19, California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo did quite well on the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California list. Located in San Luis Obispo, California, the large public school handed out 4,987 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is $57,476 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $35,683.
Full California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo Report
429
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$49,489
Average Early-Career Earnings
$24,383
Average Student Debt
Mount Saint Mary’s University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California list. MSMU is located in Los Angeles, California and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 429 bachelor’s degrees to qualified graduate students.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from MSMU is $49,489 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $24,383.
Full Mount Saint Mary’s University Report
8,969
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$41,244
Average Early-Career Earnings
$24,094
Average Student Debt
San Diego State University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California ranking. San Diego State University is a large public school located in San Diego, California that handed out 8,969 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from SDSU make an average of $41,244 per year during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $24,094 in student loans.
Read full report on San Diego State University
1,626
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$47,204
Average Early-Career Earnings
$62,308
Average Student Debt
University of San Francisco ranked #22 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California list. Located in San Francisco, California, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 1,626 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from USFCA make an average of $47,204 a year. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $62,308.
Learn More About University of San Francisco
5,880
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$35,763
Average Early-Career Earnings
$15,948
Average Student Debt
With a ranking of #23, University of California - Riverside did quite well on the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California list. UCR is a large public school situated in Riverside, California. It awarded 5,880 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from UCR is $35,763 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $15,948.
Read full report on University of California - Riverside
627
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$43,869
Average Early-Career Earnings
$70,135
Average Student Debt
With a ranking of #24, Saint Mary’s College of California did quite well on the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California list. SMC is located in Moraga, California and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 627 bachelor’s degrees to qualified graduate students.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $43,869 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $70,135 after getting their degree.
Full Saint Mary’s College of California Report
6,087
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$40,833
Average Early-Career Earnings
$19,910
Average Student Debt
San Francisco State University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in California list. SFSU is a large public school situated in San Francisco, California. It awarded 6,087 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $40,833 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $19,910 after getting their degree.
Learn More About San Francisco State University
