2023 Most Popular Schools in California
There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which program is right for you. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. Also, there are a number of trade schools and bootcamps with offerings that you might find attractive.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Most Popular Schools in California ranking. This report analyzed 625 schools in California to see which ones were the most popular programs for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
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Most Popular Schools in California
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our analysis found University of Southern California to be the most popular school for students in California. USC is a private not-for-profit institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 17,749 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,661 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $489 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, USC graduates make an average of $65,044 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 55% were women.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Berkeley. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Popular Schools in California list. UC Berkeley is located in Berkeley, California and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 14,685 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,301 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $323, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UC Berkeley, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $60,587 during the early years of their career. Around 52% of those degree recipients were women.
The programs at University of California - Los Angeles helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular schools in California. Located in Los Angeles, California, the large public school awarded 14,587 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,277 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $278 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UCLA, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $53,838 during the early years of their career. Around 56% of those degree recipients were women.
Out of the 625 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Irvine landed the # 4 spot on the list. UC Irvine is a public institution located in Irvine, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 12,345 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,722 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $209 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UC Irvine, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $44,120 during the early years of their career. Around 54% of those degree recipients were women.
You’ll be in good company if you attend University of California - San Diego. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in California list. UCSD is located in La Jolla, California and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 11,974 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from UCSD accumulate an average of $17,172 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $242. During the early years of their career, UCSD graduates make an average of $50,251 annually. Around 49% of those degree recipients were women.
University of California - Davis ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in California list. UC Davis is located in Davis, California and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 11,996 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from UC Davis accumulate an average of $14,449 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $281 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UC Davis graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $46,065 during the early year of their career. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #7, California State University - Fullerton did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Cal State Fullerton is a public institution located in Fullerton, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 11,652 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,931 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $191 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Cal State Fullerton graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $47,875 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
California State University - Northridge came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in California ranking. CSUN is a large public school situated in Northridge, California. It awarded 11,443 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from CSUN accumulate an average of $18,166 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, CSUN graduates make an average of $44,924 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
California State University - Long Beach landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. Located in Long Beach, California, the large public school handed out 11,061 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $17,702 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, CSULB graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $45,445 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.
Read full report on California State University - Long Beach
San Diego State University landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. San Diego State University is a large public school located in San Diego, California that handed out 10,590 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,150 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $251 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from SDSU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,826 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.
San Jose State University landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. This large public school is located in San Jose, California, and it awarded 10,298 degrees in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, San Jose State graduates make an average of $52,886 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 55% were women.
With a ranking of #13, California State University - Sacramento did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Located in Sacramento, California, the large public school awarded 8,734 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Sac State accumulate an average of $19,924 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $172, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Sac State graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $45,098 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
Pasadena City College ranked #14 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in California list. This large public school is located in Pasadena, California, and it awarded 8,463 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $11,830 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Pasadena City College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,432 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.
With a ranking of #15, Santa Monica College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Santa Monica College is a large public school located in Santa Monica, California that handed out 8,388 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $13,428 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from SMC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $70,951 during the early years of their career. Around 63% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #16, San Francisco State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Located in San Francisco, California, the large public school handed out 7,889 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,529 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $196. During the early years of their career, SFSU graduates make an average of $46,645 annually. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #17, University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Located in Santa Barbara, California, the large public school awarded 7,875 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from UCSB accumulate an average of $16,986 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $287.After graduating from UCSB, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,268 during the early years of their career. Around 56% of those degree recipients were women.
University of California - Riverside ranked #18 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in California list. Located in Riverside, California, the large public school awarded 7,355 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $18,387 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $150 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UCR graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $32,967 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 54% were women.
East Los Angeles College landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. East Los Angeles College is a public institution located in Monterey Park, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 7,266 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from East Los Angeles College accumulate an average of $12,276 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, East Los Angeles College graduates make an average of $35,172 annually. Around 66% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #20, California State University - Los Angeles did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 7,062 students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,712 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Cal State LA graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,734 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 62% were women.
California State Polytechnic University - Pomona did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #21 on the list. Cal Poly Pomona is a large public school situated in Pomona, California. It awarded 6,998 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,789 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $171, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Cal Poly Pomona, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,201 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 50% were women.
National University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in California ranking. National University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in La Jolla, California. It awarded 6,953 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from National University accumulate an average of $31,362 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $198.After graduating from National University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $58,580 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.
Golden West College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #23 on the list. Golden West College is a public institution located in Huntington Beach, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 6,640 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,650 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Golden West College graduates make an average of $43,599 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.
Bakersfield College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in California ranking. Bakersfield College is located in Bakersfield, California and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 6,612 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from Bakersfield College accumulate an average of $15,475 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Bakersfield College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $74,197 during the early years of their career. Around 68% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #25, Saddleback College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Saddleback College is a public institution located in Mission Viejo, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 6,479 degrees in 2020-2021.
Once they receive their degree, Saddleback College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $73,348 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
Rest of the Top 50 Most Popular Schools in California
Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
Most Popular Schools in the Far Western US Region
View Most Popular Schools Nationwide >
Rest of the Top 15% Most Popular Schools in California
To learn more about the schools below, just click on their names:
Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our most popular schools ranking:
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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