Ranking
Most Selective Colleges in California by Acceptance Rate 2026
California Institute of Technology leads this list with a reported acceptance rate of 2.6%. This page ranks only schools with standard reported admissions data.
The hardest California colleges to get into — ranked by lowest undergraduate acceptance.
- Schools ranked
- 25
- Cheapest net price
- $992
- Top earnings 10y
- $138,687
- Public / Private
- 8 / 15
California Institute of Technology
A+- Acceptance
- 2.6%
- Net price
- $16,075
- Earnings 10y
- $128,566
- Acceptance
- 2.6%
Stanford University
A+- Acceptance
- 3.6%
- Net price
- $13,807
- Earnings 10y
- $124,080
- Acceptance
- 3.6%
Pomona College
B- Acceptance
- 7.1%
- Net price
- $19,285
- Earnings 10y
- $77,779
- Acceptance
- 7.1%
University of California-Los Angeles
A+- Acceptance
- 9%
- Net price
- $12,548
- Earnings 10y
- $82,511
- Acceptance
- 9%
Claremont McKenna College
B- Acceptance
- 9.6%
- Net price
- $28,849
- Earnings 10y
- $104,736
- Acceptance
- 9.6%
University of Southern California
C- Acceptance
- 9.8%
- Net price
- $32,740
- Earnings 10y
- $92,498
- Acceptance
- 9.8%
Stanbridge University
D- Acceptance
- 10%
- Net price
- $45,372
- Earnings 10y
- $62,144
- Acceptance
- 10%
University of California-Berkeley
A+- Acceptance
- 11%
- Net price
- $13,481
- Earnings 10y
- $92,446
- Acceptance
- 11%
Harvey Mudd College
B- Acceptance
- 12.7%
- Net price
- $35,924
- Earnings 10y
- $138,687
- Acceptance
- 12.7%
Northeastern University Oakland
B- Acceptance
- 16.7%
- Net price
- $25,181
- Earnings 10y
- $92,538
- Acceptance
- 16.7%
Pitzer College
D- Acceptance
- 25.2%
- Net price
- $34,191
- Earnings 10y
- $69,512
- Acceptance
- 25.2%
University of California-San Diego
A+- Acceptance
- 26.7%
- Net price
- $12,470
- Earnings 10y
- $84,943
- Acceptance
- 26.7%
University of California-Irvine
A- Acceptance
- 28.6%
- Net price
- $14,251
- Earnings 10y
- $80,735
- Acceptance
- 28.6%
San Diego Christian College
A+- Acceptance
- 30.8%
- Net price
- $992
- Earnings 10y
- $49,766
- Acceptance
- 30.8%
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
A- Acceptance
- 31.3%
- Net price
- $16,665
- Earnings 10y
- $90,768
- Acceptance
- 31.3%
California Institute of the Arts
D- Acceptance
- 32.3%
- Net price
- $46,080
- Earnings 10y
- $41,198
- Acceptance
- 32.3%
University of California-Santa Barbara
A- Acceptance
- 33%
- Net price
- $16,109
- Earnings 10y
- $74,915
- Acceptance
- 33%
Hope International University
D- Acceptance
- 33%
- Net price
- $29,310
- Earnings 10y
- $49,697
- Acceptance
- 33%
San Diego State University
B- Acceptance
- 36.2%
- Net price
- $15,364
- Earnings 10y
- $64,909
- Acceptance
- 36.2%
Scripps College
D- Acceptance
- 38.3%
- Net price
- $36,294
- Earnings 10y
- $77,539
- Acceptance
- 38.3%
Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science
C- Acceptance
- 38.7%
- Net price
- $35,558
- Earnings 10y
- $83,438
- Acceptance
- 38.7%
SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary
D- Acceptance
- 40.7%
- Net price
- $21,680
- Earnings 10y
- $35,418
- Acceptance
- 40.7%
Gnomon
C- Acceptance
- 41.8%
- Net price
- $51,949
- Earnings 10y
- $114,785
- Acceptance
- 41.8%
University of California-Davis
A- Acceptance
- 41.8%
- Net price
- $14,741
- Earnings 10y
- $80,838
- Acceptance
- 41.8%
Casa Loma College-Los Angeles
D- Acceptance
- 42.6%
- Net price
- $27,596
- Earnings 10y
- $49,854
- Acceptance
- 42.6%
How we picked this list
This list starts with California colleges that report a standard admission rate, then sorts by acceptance rate. The set's average EduGradify ROI score is 14.70 (8 public, 15 private).
Source transparency: every figure comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard public data set. See our full methodology for the ROI formula, value grade rules and missing-data handling.
FAQ
Who leads this ranking?
California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, CA tops this ranking. Acceptance rate is 2.6%.
How does EduGradify pick this list?
We rank this set by acceptance using the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard — see our methodology for the full formula. No paid placements, no surveys.
How many California colleges are in this list?
93 California colleges qualified for this ranking based on available federal data.
What does net price mean here?
Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — not the sticker price. It is reported by each college to the U.S. Department of Education.
Can I use this ranking as a final college decision?
Use it as a shortlist, not a final decision. The ranking compares school-wide federal data; you should still confirm program fit, aid letters, graduation path, transfer policies and current costs with each college.