by our College Data Analytics TeamBest programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 24 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best best schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall best education in California.
Leading the list is San Jose State University, our #1 school for best. This very large public university is located in the city of San Jose. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 36 best degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year. Get the full best details for San Jose State University
Grossmont College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in best, landing the #2 spot this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of El Cajon. About 48 best degrees were awarded at Grossmont College in the most recent year. Read more about the best program at Grossmont College
University Of California Davis is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in best, ranking #3. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Davis awarded about 16 best degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $65,299 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,404. See the full best program report for University Of California Davis
Students looking for a strong best program will find one at California State University Los Angeles, which ranked #4. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. California State University Los Angeles graduates 53% of students within six years. About 20 best degrees were awarded at California State University Los Angeles in the most recent year. Graduates of the best program make about $66,598 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,430. Get the full best details for California State University Los Angeles
East Los Angeles College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in best, landing the #5 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Monterey Park. About 69 best degrees were awarded at East Los Angeles College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from East Los Angeles College generally make around $33,595. Students borrow a median of $8,180 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in best from East Los Angeles College
Moreno Valley College came in at #6 for best this year. Located in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public university. There were roughly 22 best students who graduated with this degree at Moreno Valley College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Moreno Valley College generally make around $45,515. Students borrow a median of $12,643 to complete this degree. See the full best program report for Moreno Valley College
National University earned the #7 position for best this year. National University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. About 50% of students finish within six years. National University awarded about 94 best degrees in the most recent data year. Best graduates of National University earn a median of $50,462 early in their careers. National University graduates carry a median of $30,426 in student loans. Get the full best details for National University
Rio Hondo College landed the #8 spot for best this year. Rio Hondo College is a very large public school located in the rural area of Whittier. There were roughly 17 best students who graduated with this degree at Rio Hondo College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Rio Hondo College generally make around $95,666. Typical student debt for the program is $15,510. More information about a degree in best from Rio Hondo College
Long Beach City College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. Located in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public university. About 22 best degrees were awarded at Long Beach City College in the most recent year. Long Beach City College graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Get the full best details for Long Beach City College
Riverside City College landed the #10 spot for best this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Riverside. About 11 best degrees were awarded at Riverside City College in the most recent year. Graduates of the best program make about $37,102 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,767. Read more about the best program at Riverside City College
Norco College placed #11 among the best best schools. Set in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public institution. Norco College awarded about 11 best degrees in the most recent data year. Norco College graduates carry a median of $8,203 in student loans. More information about a degree in best from Norco College
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 24 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.