Private Colleges in California
California can be a great state to go to college: it’s got diverse geography and culture, great weather, and a number of stellar schools. Many students opt for public schools, but there are also many who apply to private colleges. Private colleges in California are some of the best in the country, and the best private colleges in California are very competitive. If you can beat the competition, you’re in for a world-class education.
If you’re thinking about applying to one of the many private colleges in California, keep reading. We’ll go over everything you need to know.
Here’s a preview of what we’ll cover in our guide:
- Benefits of attending private colleges in California
- A selection of the best private colleges in California
- General differences between public vs. private college
- How to pay for private colleges in California and facts about need-based financial aid
- Details on individual colleges like USC — we’ll look at USC admission requirements, USC test optional policies, the new USC Early Decision option, and more
Keep reading to learn more about private colleges in California.
Why California Is a Popular Destination for College Students
Do you know one of the best things about going to one of the private colleges in California? Being in California!
Weather and Location
In terms of weather and geography, the state has almost everything you could want. At private colleges in southern California, you’ll get a perfect beach day every day. At private colleges in California’s northern half, like Stanford, the weather is temperate and beautiful year-round.
Career Opportunities
California is also rich with career opportunities. Most famously, San Francisco’s Silicon Valley is the beating heart of the tech industry. Many private colleges in California are perfect for students planning to own a startup or go into tech. There’s also Los Angeles, the best place to be for the film industry. Private colleges in California like USC have some of the best film-specific programs in the country.
Internship Possibilities
But of course, you’re not limited to tech or TV. At pretty much all private colleges in California, you can pursue internships in engineering, business, healthcare, and more. California’s advanced manufacturing sector for industries like electronics and aerospace is unparalleled, and healthcare is one of the state’s fastest-growing industries. Plus, opportunities in business, law, finance, and consulting abound, as California is home to some of America’s biggest and wealthiest cities.
Campus Settings
Moreover, private colleges in California also span a wide range of environments and neighborhoods. If you want to go to school in an urban setting, private colleges in California in Los Angeles or San Francisco might be your best choice. If you’d prefer suburban, there are great private campuses in California’s suburbs like Orange County. There are also several much smaller towns, to give you that more rural, small liberal arts feel.
Diversity
Lastly, at private colleges in California, you’ll encounter a lot of diversity. Especially within large urban areas, California is a diverse state. On top of that, private colleges in California attract both resident and non-resident students due to their academic reputations.
Public vs. Private Colleges in California
This guide is about private colleges in California, but we’d be remiss not to mention public institutions. After all, the state is home to some of the best public universities in the nation. California has two public university networks: the University of California system and the California State University system.
The UC’s are highly-regarded public universities. UC Berkeley and UCLA are the top two public universities in the country. To have such highly-ranked public universities as well as private universities makes California unique in higher education.
So how do you know whether to go to a public vs. private college?
One big difference is tuition. Tuition is generally higher at private colleges in California. The most prestigious institutions have strong need-based financial aid programs in order to attract a wider variety of students. On the other hand, public universities are state-funded and have lower tuition for California residents. University websites have tuition and fee information, so prospective students can see the difference between resident and non-resident tuition.
On the whole, public universities are also much bigger than private colleges in California. Compare Stanford’s sub-8,000 undergraduate enrollment to UCLA’s, which is over 33,000. Some public universities may have a higher admissions rate than private colleges in California, but this is not true for all schools. Since California’s public universities are so renowned, a few of them are more competitive than most private colleges, which is rare.
Other than the UC system, California also has the CSU system. The CSU system offers lower tuition and a more flexible university experience, with a sharper focus on practical career training. Both are statewide public university networks, and are overseen by the state. They stand in contrast to private colleges in California, which are run by their own boards and endowments.
Private colleges in California can be big, small, research-focused, or liberal arts colleges — each one is different. Public colleges are usually (though not always) larger; they often have a strong research component, home to graduate students as well as undergraduates. Are you looking for a specialized experience, like a faith-based institution or a specialized private school? If so, private colleges in California may be a better fit for you.
Benefits of Attending a Private College
What are the benefits of attending private colleges in California?
First, you’ll usually get a lower student-to-faculty ratio. Private colleges usually offer smaller class sizes, which can help you better get to know your professors. Making connections with professors is incredibly valuable, both for your education and potentially for your career. Obviously, smaller class sizes also allow for more one-on-one learning opportunities to enrich your education. When you know your professors well, you can receive better mentorship and get academic support when you need it. This goes the same for advisors: with fewer students to manage, advisors can be more focused on your individual needs.
Additionally, most private colleges offer a wealth of resources and opportunities. Many undergraduates do research while in college — another thing that’s helped by knowing your professors. Though they sometimes have less research capacity overall, you’re likely to find more specialized research at private colleges. Plus, you’ll have access to things like leadership programs and great study abroad opportunities.
And once you leave college, even more benefits of going to a private school can kick in. Private colleges often have strong alumni networks that the university works to cultivate and grow, which can help you in your career. You may be able to find alumni in your area who can help you find opportunities and develop beyond graduation.
How competitive are private colleges in California?
Admissions rates at private colleges in California vary significantly. Some of the best private colleges in California have rates as low as 3 and 4%. That expands significantly as you go down the list of the top ten best private colleges in California. Before talking about the higher acceptance rates, let’s take a look at just how competitive it gets in California.
Some of the most selective California private schools are Stanford, Caltech, and Pomona. The Stanford admission rate is 4%; accordingly, Stanford is currently ranked #1 in the best private colleges in California. There’s no set Stanford GPA needed to get in, but 73% of applicants in 2024 had a GPA of 4.0. It’s clear from the average incoming Stanford GPA and the current Stanford admission rate that getting in isn’t easy. And once you’re in, you have to contend with Stanford majors and coursework, to boot.
Even lower than the Stanford admission rate is Caltech’s, at only 3%. Caltech is a technical school, so it specializes in STEM fields and may not be for everyone. Like the Stanford GPA requirement, Caltech has no explicit GPA needed to apply. Their admissions office does specify, however, that students must display mastery in a number of STEM subjects. If you’re interested in things like engineering, computer science, artificial intelligence, or math, you could try your odds at Caltech. Just make sure your application is flawless.
Pomona, a small liberal arts college within the Claremont Colleges, is another one of the best private colleges in California. The Pomona College acceptance rate is 7%. The Pomona College ranking is a very impressive #7 in liberal arts colleges. With Pomona College ranking so high, their acceptance rate makes a lot of sense.
Approaching Highly Competitive Schools
So how do you get into one of the best private colleges in California? Admissions officers review applications holistically, which means that you need more than just great test scores or a 4.0 GPA. You need to put together a compelling overall application. The best applications combine your academic profile with your extracurriculars and your essays to tell a story of who you are. Admissions officers can learn what you value and why their university would be a good fit for you.
When you’re applying to schools, make sure you’re building a balanced college list that includes reach, target, and likely schools. That means that if you’re applying to schools like Stanford, you should also apply to schools with higher acceptance rates. When admissions rates are this low, there’s no guaranteeing that you’ll be admitted into one of these schools. Balance the 7% Pomona College acceptance rate with, say, the 44% Occidental College acceptance rate.
Above all, remember that the acceptance rate is only one metric by which you should evaluate schools. A low acceptance rate doesn’t indicate a good personal fit, only that the school is competitive. When researching private colleges in California, there’s a lot more to consider.
10 Best Private Colleges in California
While your best fit school is a personal choice, there are plenty of lists to help you in your search for the best colleges in California. Here’s ours:
10 Top Private Schools in California
1. Stanford University
Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, Stanford is a launchpad for the tech world. With around 7,600 undergrads, it’s been home to future billionaires and Nobel laureates, and the top Stanford majors include computer science, engineering, and economics. It also has a beautiful campus, world-class research labs, and an innovation-focused culture. The Stanford admission rate is around 4%.
2. California Institute of Technology
A small school with only around 1,000 undergrads, Caltech is incredibly prestigious. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab is literally next door. And because the faculty-student ratio is so low, you can work on the cutting-edge research going on there early on.
3. Pomona College
One of the best liberal arts schools in the country, Pomona is sometimes called the “Harvard of the West.” The Pomona College acceptance rate is around 7%, and Pomona College ranking is #7 best liberal arts school in the U.S. Pomona College tuition is around $68,670, which is above average for the country. However, it’s also ranked the #5 best value, so though the Pomona College tuition is high, it may be worth it. And it’s one of the Claremont Colleges – more on that below.
4. Claremont McKenna College
Fun fact: Pomona is actually part of a group of five undergraduate colleges called the Claremont Colleges. As a student at one of the schools, you have access to academics, extracurriculars, and campus resources at any of the others. Another one of these five is Claremont McKenna, which has a focus on government and business majors. Though it has only around 1,400 undergrads, you’re part of a larger community within the Claremont Colleges.
5. Harvey Mudd College
Another of the five Claremont Colleges, Harvey Mudd is the most STEM-focused of the group. It has been ranked #1 for early-career salaries due to its focus on high-earning industries like engineering.
6. University of Southern California
Located right in Los Angeles, USC gives unmatched access to the entertainment, tech, and business industries. It’s one of the best private colleges in southern California, and its film program is one of the best in the world.
If you want to apply to USC, here’s what you should know. The USC admission requirements include high academic performance; most admitted students are ranked in the top 10% of their graduating class. The other USC admission requirements are fairly standard. At USC, test optional policies apply, so you don’t have to submit test scores. Though USC test optional is an option, if you do score in the top 5% of test-takers, it can be another strong data point in your favor. And, starting with this admission cycle, there is now a USC early decision option. Like at most other schools that use Early Decision, USC early decision is binding.
7. Santa Clara University
Back up north in the Bay Area, Santa Clara is a Jesuit school. It blends its strong business and tech program with an emphasis on social justice and ethics. It has around 6,000 undergrad students, and its location is prime for internships and networking opportunities at companies like Apple, Google, and Intel.
8. Pepperdine University
Another of the best private colleges in southern California, Pepperdine is located in gorgeous Malibu. Perched on cliffs above the Pacific, it’s hard to find a better spot to study. Pepperdine has around 3,500 students, and popular majors include businesses, communications, and psychology.
9. Loyola Marymount University
Located in West Los Angeles, LMU is a medium-sized school with strong ties to the entertainment industry. It’s another Jesuit school, so it prioritizes public service and faith. Top majors are film and TV, as well as business and liberal arts in general.
10. Chapman University
Another film-centered school, Chapman’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts is one of the top programs in the country. It’s in downtown Orange, which is a suburb outside of LA and Orange County. Chapman has around 8,000 undergrads.
More Private Colleges in California
Want more of the best colleges in California? Here are 12 more private colleges, including private colleges in southern California, schools in the Bay Area, and everywhere in between. If you’re already looking in the state, one of these schools may be a good fit for you.
12 More Private Colleges in CA
1. Occidental College
2. Pitzer College
3. Scripps College
4. Soka University of America
5. Thomas Aquinas College
6. Whittier College
7. University of San Diego
8. University of San Francisco
9. University of the Pacific
10. University of La Verne
11. Biola University
12. Azusa Pacific University
A lot of different factors go into picking a college. Make sure that you’re looking beyond prestige or name-recognition when you’re searching for your perfect fit. Always tour a school, ask questions, and try getting to know some of the current students or professors before committing. Just because a school is one of the best colleges in California doesn’t mean it’s necessarily one of the best colleges for you.
How much does a private college in California cost?
When you’re looking at private colleges in California, you may experience some sticker shock. Many private schools have very high tuition, charging more than $50,000 each year in tuition alone.
First, when you’re evaluating costs, make sure that you’re considering the full price tag. Your tuition is the amount that you pay just to attend the school. Room and board is another cost, and textbooks and meal plans can push up the bill even further. However, the total cost of attendance might not be your net price. If you get need-based financial aid or take out student loans, then the cost of your college education will be lower.
Let’s look at Stanford, for example. Stanford tuition is $67,731 per year, and the typical cost of housing and food for first-year students is $22,167. Most students also need fees, books and supplies, and some anticipated personal expenses and travel. All told, it comes out to just a little less than $100,000 a year. While that seems inconceivable, Stanford has significant need-based financial aid to help families cover the cost. If your family income is less than $100,000, your tuition, housing, and food costs are all covered. If it’s over $150K, there’s a sliding scale of financial aid.
Some colleges are seen as good value, because even if they are expensive to attend, their graduates make a higher income than average. Many of the Ivy League universities and similar schools fall into this category. Even though they, like Stanford, are expensive, they also have the resources to provide significant need-based financial aid.
Most Affordable Private Colleges in California
When you’re looking at how much a college costs, the sticker price is only part of the picture. As we discussed above, the net price — what you actually pay after grants, scholarships, and financial aid — is what really matters. Especially when you’re thinking about public vs. private college, the math may work out in unexpected ways. A private college with high tuition might end up costing you less out of pocket than a school with lower tuition and weaker financial aid. For example, Stanford University has high tuition, but a very comprehensive financial aid program.
That said, some private colleges in California do stand out for having lower tuition prices. Here’s a list of some schools to consider.
3 Lower-Tuition Private Colleges
1. Thomas Aquinas College
At $43,700 per year (tuition and room and board), Thomas Aquinas is one of the most affordable private colleges in California, because there are no additional fees, and its renowned great books curriculum is entirely funded by their “benefactors.”
2. Soka University of America
Without health insurance, this small liberal arts college in Aliso Viejo is $54,486 per year. Every student receives some amount of financial aid, making its net price significantly lower.
3. Azusa Pacific University
APU is a Christian University in the San Gabriel Valley where all first-year students receive some form of financial aid. The sticker price is $58,070, but the real cost will be much lower than that for many students.
Before you commit to any school, use their estimated cost calculator to figure out how much it will really cost for you. University websites usually have a page to help you factor in financial aid, loans, grants, or other scholarships.
How to Choose a Private College in California
With so many great private colleges in California, how do you figure out which ones to apply to? First, look inward: what do you want out of the experience?
Think through your priorities before building your list. Are there any specific majors you’re interested in? Would you rather go to a small school or a big one? Do you want to be in a big city like LA or San Francisco? Would you rather have a more rural, campus-focused experience, like at the Claremont Colleges? How does cost factor in, and what’s your family’s budget? And what kind of campus culture are you looking for?
Always research the schools you want to apply to – before you apply! Learn about their graduation rates, any internship opportunities, career outcomes, and student support services. Whenever you can, visit the campus. Campus tours, whether in-person or virtual, can give you a much better understanding of a campus than a webpage full of words could.
Then, when you’ve gone through the whole process and finally have your acceptance letters, think back again on what you want. Compare academic programs, financial aid packages, and the overall campus environment. You might have a favorite among Stanford majors, but you prefer a more SoCal vibe. The Pomona College tuition may look great after aid, but maybe they don’t have your major. The best private college in California doesn’t have to be the most prestigious one – it’s the one that’s the best fit for you.
Private Colleges in California – Final Takeaways
California’s private colleges offer something for every student. There are technical powerhouses like Caltech, creative, entertainment-focused schools like USC, and Jesuit institutions focused on giving back like Santa Clara. Whatever you’re looking for, there is somewhere in California where you’ll be able to thrive.
Applying to private colleges in California is a big undertaking, and CollegeAdvisor is here to help you every step of the way. We offer one-on-one advising, interview prep, essay revision, and more. At any point during your college process, CollegeAdvisor can help give you confidence in your application.
This article was written by Rachel Kahn. Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.
