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Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools in California

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2023 Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools in California

31 Schools Ranked
$21,127 Avg Student Debt

There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which program is right for you. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Also, there are a number of trade schools and bootcamps with offerings that you might find attractive.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools in California ranking. This report analyzed 31 schools in California to see which ones had the most popular online graduate certificate programs for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from schools with online programs.

Learn more about these popular schools with online programs:

#1

Northcentral University

San Diego, California
245 Total Awards
$18,207 Average Tuition & Fees
$22,015 Avg Student Debt

Our 2023 rankings named Northcentral University the most popular school in California for students working on their graduate certificate. San Diego, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out graduate certificates to 245 students in 2020-2021.

On average, graduate certificate students take out $22,015 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 79% of those degree recipients were women.

If you are interested in distance education, Northcentral University is an excellent choice, since graduate classes are offered online.

Read More…

#2

Brandman University

Irvine, California
145 Total Awards
$12,720 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Brandman University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools in California list. This medium-sized private not-for-profit school is located in Irvine, California, and it awarded 145 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Around 81% of those degree recipients were women.

Since the graduate programs at Brandman are primarily online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.

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#3

Naval Postgraduate School

Monterey, California
1,094 Total Awards

The excellent graduate certificate programs at Naval Postgraduate School helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular schools in California. Naval Postgraduate School is a small public school located in Monterey, California that handed out 1,094 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 22% were women.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 47% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

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190 Total Awards
$8,477 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Northridge. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools in California list. Located in Northridge, California, the large public school awarded 190 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

Around 75% of those degree recipients were women.

During the 2019-2020 year, about 91% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

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111 Total Awards
$23,918 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The Chicago School of Professional Psychology at Los Angeles. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools in California list. Located in Los Angeles, California, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 111 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 88% were women.

Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 89% took at least some of their classes online.

Full The Chicago School of Professional Psychology at Los Angeles Report

#6

Golden Gate University - San Francisco

San Francisco, California
71 Total Awards
$19,875 Average Tuition & Fees

Golden Gate University - San Francisco did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #6 on the list. Located in San Francisco, California, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 71 graduate certificate awards in 2020-2021.

Around 39% of those degree recipients were women.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 58% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#7

National University

La Jolla, California
66 Total Awards

With a ranking of #7, National University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their graduate certificate. This fairly large private not-for-profit school is located in La Jolla, California, and it awarded 66 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Around 83% of those degree recipients were women.

Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 48% took at least some of their classes online.

Full National University Report

#8

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California
962 Total Awards
$61,396 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Southern California came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools in California ranking. This large private not-for-profit school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 962 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.

During the 2019-2020 year, about 82% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Full University of Southern California Report

#9

Loyola Marymount University

Los Angeles, California
84 Total Awards
$19,922 Average Tuition & Fees

Loyola Marymount University ranked #9 on this year’s Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools in California list. Loyola Marymount is a private not-for-profit institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 84 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Around 70% of those degree recipients were women.

Since the graduate programs at Loyola Marymount are online, the school is an excellent choice for graduate students who need more flexibility than what is offered at some other schools.

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#9

Concordia University, Irvine

Irvine, California
41 Total Awards

With a ranking of #9, Concordia University, Irvine did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their graduate certificate. Irvine, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out graduate certificates to 41 students in 2020-2021.

Around 56% of those degree recipients were women.

Concordia University, Irvine is one of the schools on our list that is primarily online. Each graduate student at the school took at least one class online.

Full Concordia University, Irvine Report

#11

Fielding Graduate University

Santa Barbara, California
101 Total Awards

With a ranking of #11, Fielding Graduate University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their graduate certificate. Fielding is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Santa Barbara, California. It awarded 101 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Around 80% of those degree recipients were women.

In 2019-2020 about 97% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

23 Total Awards
$10,989 Average Tuition & Fees

West Coast University - Orange County did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #12 on the list. Located in Anaheim, California, the small private for-profit school awarded 23 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 70% were women.

If you are interested in distance education, West Coast University - Orange County is an excellent choice, since graduate classes are offered online.

Read More…

#13

California State University - San Marcos

San Marcos, California
16 Total Awards
$9,161 Average Tuition & Fees

California State University - San Marcos ranked #13 on this year’s Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools in California list. Located in San Marcos, California, the fairly large public school awarded 16 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

Around 88% of those degree recipients were women.

In 2019-2020 about 99% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full California State University - San Marcos Report

#14

Pacific School of Religion

Berkeley, California
14 Total Awards
$13,834 Average Tuition & Fees

Pacific School of Religion came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools in California ranking. Pacific School of Religion is a very small private not-for-profit school located in Berkeley, California that handed out 14 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.

Pacific School of Religion is one of the schools on our list that is primarily online. Each graduate student at the school took at least one class online.

Read full report on Pacific School of Religion

#15

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
175 Total Awards
$9,570 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #15, San Diego State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their graduate certificate. Located in San Diego, California, the large public school awarded 175 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 74% were women.

Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 91% took at least some of their classes online.

Full San Diego State University Report

#16

Samuel Merritt University

Oakland, California
8 Total Awards
$54,521 Average Tuition & Fees

Samuel Merritt University landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular graduate certificate programs. Samuel Merritt University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Oakland, California. It awarded 8 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 88% were women.

During the 2019-2020 year, about 23% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#17

Westcliff University

Irvine, California
7 Total Awards
$13,100 Average Tuition & Fees

Westcliff University landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular graduate certificate programs. This small private for-profit school is located in Irvine, California, and it awarded 7 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.

Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 59% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Westcliff University

#18

Alliant International University

San Diego, California
6 Total Awards
$19,874 Average Tuition & Fees
$21,733 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #18, Alliant International University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their graduate certificate. Located in San Diego, California, the small private for-profit school awarded 6 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

Graduate Certificate recipients from Alliant accumulate an average of $21,733 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 67% were women.

Alliant is one of the schools on our list that is primarily online. Each graduate student at the school took at least one class online.

Read More…

32 Total Awards
$8,494 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #19, California State University - Dominguez Hills did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their graduate certificate. California State University - Dominguez Hills is a fairly large public school located in Carson, California that handed out 32 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Around 78% of those degree recipients were women.

Around 97% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on California State University - Dominguez Hills

#20

Starr King School for Ministry

Berkeley, California
1 Total Awards
$23,290 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #20, Starr King School for Ministry did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their graduate certificate. Located in Berkeley, California, the very small private not-for-profit school handed out 1 graduate certificate awards in 2020-2021.

If you are interested in distance education, Starr King School for Ministry is an excellent choice, since graduate classes are offered online.

Full Starr King School for Ministry Report

#20

Hope International University

Fullerton, California
1 Total Awards
$14,916 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #20, Hope International University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their graduate certificate. Located in Fullerton, California, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 1 graduate certificate awards in 2020-2021.

In 2019-2020 about 72% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Hope International University Report

$26,247 Average Tuition & Fees

University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools in California ranking.

USAHS is one of the schools on our list that is primarily online. Each graduate student at the school took at least one class online.

Full University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences Report

#22

Abraham Lincoln University

Los Angeles, California
$5,000 Average Tuition & Fees

Abraham Lincoln University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools in California ranking.

Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out Abraham Lincoln University. Every graduate student at the school took at least one class online.

Read full report on Abraham Lincoln University

$12,965 Average Tuition & Fees

California Intercontinental University landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular graduate certificate programs.

If you are interested in distance education, California Intercontinental University is an excellent choice, since graduate classes are offered online.

Full California Intercontinental University Report

#22

Sofia University

Palo Alto, California
$14,915 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #22, Sofia University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their graduate certificate.

Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 99% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Sofia University

Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools in the Far Western US Region

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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