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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Best Schools in California

1 Colleges in the United States
445 Best Degrees Awarded
$63,303 Avg Early-Career Salary

Best is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their best programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 19 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for best students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Best in California

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the best degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Best

1
University Of San Francisco crest
University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

Our analysis ranked University Of San Francisco the best school in the country for a degree in best. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of San Francisco. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of San Francisco awarded about 18 best degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $65,223 in their early career. University Of San Francisco graduates carry a median of $23,935 in student loans. Read more about the best program at University Of San Francisco

2

University Of Southern California came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. University Of Southern California awarded about 208 best degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $75,677 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,625. More information about a degree in best from University Of Southern California

3

Students looking for a strong best program will find one at University Of The Pacific, which ranked #3. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Stockton. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of The Pacific awarded about 63 best degrees in the most recent data year. Best graduates of University Of The Pacific earn a median of $77,022 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,514 to complete this degree. See the full best program report for University Of The Pacific

4

California State University Long Beach is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in best, ranking #4. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 22 best students who graduated with this degree at California State University Long Beach in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $50,982. California State University Long Beach graduates carry a median of $15,671 in student loans. See the full best program report for California State University Long Beach

5

Saint Marys College Of California is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in best, landing the #5 spot this year. Saint Marys College Of California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Moraga. Saint Marys College Of California graduates 70% of students within six years. Saint Marys College Of California awarded about 18 best degrees in the most recent data year. Best graduates of Saint Marys College Of California earn a median of $59,760 early in their careers. Saint Marys College Of California graduates carry a median of $25,041 in student loans. More information about a degree in best from Saint Marys College Of California

6

University Of San Diego placed #6 among the best best schools. Set in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit institution. University Of San Diego graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 62 best students who graduated with this degree at University Of San Diego in the most recent data year. Best graduates of University Of San Diego earn a median of $68,281 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,795. Read more about the best program at University Of San Diego

7

University Of La Verne came in at #7 for best this year. Set in the suburb of La Verne, University Of La Verne is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. University Of La Verne graduates 63% of students within six years. University Of La Verne awarded about 26 best degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $35,364 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,314 to complete this degree. See the full best program report for University Of La Verne

8

Golden Gate University San Francisco came in at #8 for best this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, Golden Gate University San Francisco is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 18 best degrees were awarded at Golden Gate University San Francisco in the most recent year. Students who receive their best degree from Golden Gate University San Francisco earn around $88,638 in the first couple years of their career. Golden Gate University San Francisco graduates carry a median of $33,968 in student loans. More information about a degree in best from Golden Gate University San Francisco

9

California Institute Of Arts And Technology landed the #9 spot for best this year. This mid-sized private for-profit university is located in the suburb of National City. California Institute Of Arts And Technology awarded about 10 best degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from California Institute Of Arts And Technology generally make around $48,778. Students borrow a median of $21,696 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in best from California Institute Of Arts And Technology

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 19 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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