List of colleges and universities in California

This is a list of colleges and universities in California.

Scripps College in Claremont

Federal institutions

Graduate institutions

• Naval Postgraduate School (Monterey)

Other academic institutions

• Defense Language Institute (Monterey)

State institutions

Two-year institutions

Main article: California Community Colleges system

• See: List of California Community Colleges

Four-year institutions

University of California

Main article: University of California

Name	City	County	Enrollment[1] Fall 2022	Founded	Athletics
University of California, Berkeley	Berkeley	Alameda	45,307	1869	NCAA Div. I (ACC, MPSF, America East)
University of California, Davis	Davis	Yolo	39,679	1905	NCAA Div. I (Big Sky, MPSF, Big West, America East)
University of California, Irvine	Irvine	Orange	35,937	1965	NCAA Div. I (Big West, MPSF, GCC)
University of California, Los Angeles	Los Angeles	Los Angeles	46,430	1882*	NCAA Div. I (Big Ten, MPSF)
University of California, Merced	Merced	Merced	9,110	2005	NCAA Div. II (CCAA)
University of California, Riverside	Riverside	Riverside	26,809	1954	NCAA Div. I (Big West)
University of California, San Diego	San Diego	San Diego	42,006	1960	NCAA Div. I (Big West, MPSF)
University of California, Santa Barbara	Santa Barbara	Santa Barbara	26,420	1891**	NCAA Div. I (Big West, MPSF, GCC)
University of California, Santa Cruz	Santa Cruz	Santa Cruz	19,478	1965	NCAA Div. III (C2C, ASC)

*University of California, Los Angeles was founded in 1882 as the southern branch of the California State Normal School. It joined the University of California system in 1919 as the southern branch of the University of California.

**University of California, Santa Barbara was founded in 1891 as an independent teachers' college. It joined the University of California system in 1944.

California State University

Main article: California State University

Name	City	County	Enrollment[1] (Fall 2022)	Founded	Athletics
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo	San Luis Obispo	San Luis Obispo	22,000	1901*	NCAA Div. I (Big West, Big Sky, Pac-12, MPSF)
California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt	Arcata	Humboldt	6,025	1913	NCAA Div. II (CCAA, GNAC)
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona	Pomona	Los Angeles	27,503	1938**	NCAA Div. II (CCAA)
California State University, Bakersfield	Bakersfield	Kern	9,613	1965	NCAA Div. I (Big West, MPSF, Pac-12)
California State University Channel Islands	Camarillo	Ventura	6,128	2002	None
California State University, Chico	Chico	Butte	14,183	1887	NCAA Div. II (CCAA)
California State University, Dominguez Hills	Carson	Los Angeles	16,426	1960	NCAA Div. II (CCAA)
California State University, East Bay	Hayward	Alameda	13,673	1957	NCAA Div. II (CCAA, WWPA)
California State University, Fresno	Fresno	Fresno	23,999	1911	NCAA Div. I (Mountain West, Big 12, MPSF, GCC, NCEA)
California State University, Fullerton	Fullerton	Orange	40,386	1957	NCAA Div. I (Big West, MPSF)
California State University, Long Beach	Long Beach	Los Angeles	38,973	1949	NCAA Div. I (Big West, MPSF, GCC)
California State University, Los Angeles	Los Angeles	Los Angeles	26,460	1947	NCAA Div. II (CCAA, PacWest)
California State University Maritime Academy	Vallejo	Solano	1,017	1929	NAIA (Cal Pac)
California State University, Monterey Bay	Seaside-Marina	Monterey	7,045	1994	NCAA Div. II (CCAA)
California State University, Northridge	Northridge	Los Angeles	37,579	1958	NCAA Div. I (Big West, MPSF)
California State University, Sacramento	Sacramento	Sacramento	31,818	1947	NCAA Div. I (Big Sky, WAC, AAC, Big West)
California State University, San Bernardino	San Bernardino	San Bernardino	19,803	1965	NCAA Div. II (CCAA)
California State University San Marcos	San Marcos	San Diego	15,109	1988	NCAA Div. II (CCAA)
California State University, Stanislaus	Turlock	Stanislaus	10,154	1957	NCAA Div. II (CCAA, PacWest)
San Diego State University	San Diego	San Diego	37,402	1897	NCAA Div. I (Mountain West)
San Francisco State University	San Francisco	San Francisco	25,282	1899	NCAA Div. II (CCAA)
San Jose State University	San Jose	Santa Clara	35,751	1857	NCAA Div. I (Mountain West, WAC, MPSF, WCC, Southland)
Sonoma State University	Rohnert Park	Sonoma	6,637	1960	NCAA Div. II (CCAA)

*California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo was founded as a vocational high school. It became a vocational school in 1924, and then started awarding bachelor's degrees in 1940.

**California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, was founded as a southern branch of California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo in 1938, but became independent in 1966.

State graduate institutions

Name	City	County	Founded
California State University, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories	Moss Landing	Monterey	1966
University of California College of the Law, San Francisco	San Francisco	San Francisco	1878
University of California, San Francisco	San Francisco	San Francisco	1899

Private institutions

Name	City	County	Founded	Carnegie Classification[a]	Profit[b]	Athletics	Affiliation	Notes
Academy of Art University	San Francisco	San Francisco	1929	Special Focus Four-Year: Arts, Music & Design Schools	for-profit	NCAA Div. II	---	Arts & design
Alliant International University	San Diego	San Diego	1952	Doctoral Universities: Moderate Research Activity	for-profit	---	---	---
American Heritage University of Southern California	Ontario	San Bernardino	2003	Not classified	for-profit	---	---	Business
American Jewish University	Los Angeles	Los Angeles	1947	Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts & Sciences Focus	not-for-profit	---	Judaism	---
American Management University	California	Los Angeles	2018	Not classified	Exempt verified private university	non-profit sponsored	International Alliance of Business Professionals (IABP)	Graduate-level business, Leadership
Anaheim University	Anaheim	Orange	1996	Not classified	for-profit	---	---	Graduate school
Antioch University	Multiple locations	---	1972	Master's Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs	not-for-profit	---	---	---
ArtCenter College of Design	Pasadena	Los Angeles	1930	Special Focus Four-Year: Arts, Music & Design Schools	not-for-profit	---	---	Arts & design
Azusa Pacific University	Azusa	Los Angeles	1899	Doctoral Universities: Moderate Research Activity	not-for-profit	NCAA Div. II	Christian (interdenominational)	---
Biola University	La Mirada	Los Angeles	1908	Doctoral Universities: Moderate Research Activity	not-for-profit	NCAA Div. II	Evangelical Christian	---
California Coast University	Santa Ana	Orange	1973		for-profit			Business, Psychology, Education. Undergraduate and Graduate
California Baptist University	Riverside	Riverside	1950	Master's Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs	not-for-profit	NCAA Div. I	Christian (Southern Baptist)	---
California Coast University	Anaheim	Orange	1996	Not classified	for-profit
California College of the Arts	San Francisco	San Francisco	1907	Special Focus Four-Year: Arts, Music & Design Schools	not-for-profit	---	---	Arts & design
California Health Sciences University	Clovis	Fresno	2012	Doctoral Universities: Health Professions Schools	for-profit	---	---	Healthcare, business & technology
California Institute of Integral Studies	San Francisco	San Francisco	1968	Doctoral Universities: Moderate Research Activity	not-for-profit	---	---	---
California Institute of Technology	Pasadena	Los Angeles	1891	Doctoral Universities: Highest Research Activity	not-for-profit	NCAA Div. III	---	---
California Institute of the Arts	Valencia	Los Angeles	1961	Special Focus Four-Year: Arts, Music & Design Schools	not-for-profit	---	---	Arts, music & design
California Lutheran University	Thousand Oaks	Ventura	1959	Master's Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs	not-for-profit	NCAA Div. III	Evangelical Lutheran Church in America	---
California Miramar University	San Diego	San Diego	2005	Special Focus Four-Year: Business & Management Schools	for-profit	---	---	Business
California Metropolitan University	Montclair	San Bernardino	2020	Exempt verified private university	non-profit sponsored		International Alliance of Business Professionals (IABP)	Business, Management
California South Bay University	Sunnyvale	Santa Clara	2007	Not classified	---	---	---	unaccredited
California Southern University	Costa Mesa	Orange	1978	Not classified	for-profit	---	---	Online
California University of Management and Sciences	Anaheim	Orange	1998	Master's Colleges & Universities: Medium Programs	not-for-profit	---	---	---
California University of Management and Technology	San Jose	Santa Clara	---	Not classified	---	---	---	---
Cambridge College	Rancho Cucamonga	San Bernardino	1971	Master's Colleges & Universities: Smaller Programs	not-for-profit	---	---	Satellite campus
Chapman University	Orange	Orange	1861	Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity	---	NCAA Div. III	Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)	---
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science	Willowbrook	Los Angeles	1966	Special Focus Four-Year: Other Health Professions Schools	not-for-profit	---	HBCU	Health sciences
Claremont Graduate University	Claremont	Los Angeles	1925	Doctoral Universities: Higher Research Activity	not-for-profit	---	Claremont Colleges	---
Claremont Lincoln University	Claremont	Los Angeles	2011	Master's Colleges & Universities: Small Programs	not-for-profit	---	---	Online
Claremont McKenna College	Claremont	Los Angeles	1946	Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts & Sciences Focus	not-for-profit	NCAA Div. III	Claremont Colleges	---
Concordia University Irvine	Irvine	Orange	1976	Master's Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs	not-for-profit	NCAA Div. II	Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod	---
The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone	St. Helena	Napa	1995	Special Focus Four-Year: Other Special Focus Institutions	not-for-profit	---	---	Culinary
Deep Springs College	Deep Springs	Inyo	1917	Not classified	---	---	---	2-year degree
Design Institute of San Diego	San Diego	San Diego	1977	Special Focus Four-Year: Arts, Music & Design Schools	for-profit	---	---	Interior design
DeVry University	various	various	1931	Master's Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs	for-profit	---	---	10 locations in California
Dharma Realm Buddhist University	Ukiah	Mendocino	1976	NC	Private, not-for-profit		Buddhism (Dharma Realm Buddhist Association)	---
Dominican University of California	San Rafael	Marin	1890	Master's Colleges & Universities: Medium Programs	not-for-profit	NCAA Div. II	Roman Catholic (Dominican Order)	---
Emperor's College of Traditional Oriental Medicine	Santa Monica	Los Angeles	1983	Special Focus Four-Year: Other Health Professions Schools	not-for-profit	---	---	Oriental medicine
Epic Bible College	Sacramento	Sacramento	1974	Special Focus Four-Year: Faith-Related Institutions	not-for-profit	---	Christian (non-denominational)	---
Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising	Los Angeles	Los Angeles	1969	Special Focus Four-Year: Arts, Music & Design Schools	for-profit	---	---	Design
Fielding Graduate University		Santa Barbara	1974	Doctoral Universities	not-for-profit	---	---	---
Frederick S. Pardee RAND Graduate School	Santa Monica	Los Angeles	1970	Special Focus Four-Year: Other Special Focus Institutions	not-for-profit	---	---	Public policy
Fresno Pacific University	Fresno	Fresno	1944	Master's Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs	not-for-profit	NCAA Div. II	Mennonite Brethren Church	---
Fuller Theological Seminary	Pasadena	Los Angeles	1947	Special Focus Four-Year: Faith-Related Institutions	not-for-profit	---	Christian (multidenominational)	Religion
Gateway Seminary	Ontario	San Bernardino	1944	---	not-for-profit	---	Christian (Southern Baptist)	---
Golden Gate University	San Francisco	San Francisco	1901	Master's Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs	not-for-profit	---	---	---
Graduate Theological Union	Berkeley	Alameda	1962	Special Focus Four-Year: Faith-Related Institutions	not-for-profit	---	---	Multifaith
Gurnick Academy	San Mateo, California	San Mateo County	2004	Four or more years (Baccalaureate or higher degree)	for-profit	---	---	Medical school
Harvey Mudd College	Claremont	Los Angeles	1955	Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts & Sciences Focus	not-for-profit	NCAA Div. III	Claremont Colleges	Science & engineering
Hope International University	Fullerton	Orange	1928	Master's Colleges & Universities: Medium Programs	not-for-profit	NAIA	Christian churches and churches of Christ	---
Hult International Business School	San Francisco	San Francisco	1964	Special Focus Four-Year: Business & Management Schools	not-for-profit	---	---	Business
Humphreys University	Stockton	San Joaquin	1896	Baccalaureate Colleges: Diverse Fields	not-for-profit	---	---	---
Imago Dei College	Oak Glen	San Bernardino	2010	Not classified	---	---	Evangelical	---
International Technological University	San Jose	Santa Clara	1994	Master's Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs	not-for-profit	---	---	---
Institute of Buddhist Studies	Berkeley	Alameda	1966	Special Focus Four-Year: Faith-Related Institutions	not-for-profit	---	Buddhism (Jodo Shinshu)	Graduate School
Jessup University	Rocklin	Placer	1939	Baccalaureate Colleges: Diverse Fields	not-for-profit	NAIA	Evangelical Christian	---
John Paul the Great Catholic University	Escondido	San Diego	2003	Baccalaureate Colleges: Diverse Fields	not-for-profit	---	Roman Catholic	---
Keck Graduate Institute	Claremont	Los Angeles	1997	Master's Colleges & Universities: Small Programs	not-for-profit	---	Claremont Colleges	---
La Sierra University	Riverside	Riverside	1992	Master's Colleges & Universities: Small Programs	not-for-profit	NAIA	Seventh-day Adventist Church	---
Laguna College of Art and Design	Laguna Beach	Orange	1961	Special Focus Four-Year: Arts, Music & Design Schools	not-for-profit	---	---	Arts & design
Life Pacific University	San Dimas	Los Angeles	1923	Special Focus Four-Year: Faith-Related Institutions	not-for-profit	NAIA	International Church of the Foursquare Gospel	---
Lincoln University	Oakland	Alameda	1926	Special Focus Four-Year: Business & Management Schools	not-for-profit	---	---	---
Loma Linda University	Loma Linda	San Bernardino	1905	Special Focus Four-Year: Medical Schools & Centers	not-for-profit	---	Seventh-day Adventist Church	---
Los Angeles College of Music	Pasadena	Los Angeles	1996	Special Focus Four-Year: Arts, Music & Design Schools	for-profit	---	---	Music
Loyola Marymount University	Los Angeles	Los Angeles	1911	Master's Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs	not-for-profit	NCAA Div. I	Roman Catholic (Society of Jesus (Jesuits), Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary (Marymount Sisters), Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange)	---
Make School	San Francisco	San Francisco	2012	Special Focus Four-Year: Applied Computer Science	for profit (B Corp)	---	---	---
The Master's University	Santa Clarita	Los Angeles	1927	Master's Colleges & Universities: Small Programs	not-for-profit	NAIA	Christian (non-denominational)	---
Menlo College	Atherton	San Mateo	1927	Special Focus Four-Year: Business & Management Schools	not-for-profit	NAIA	---	---
Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey	Monterey	Monterey	1955	Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts & Sciences Focus	not-for-profit	---	Middlebury College	---
Minerva University	San Francisco	San Francisco, California	2011	Special Focus Four-Year: Science, Management and Arts courses	not-for-profit	---	---	Global rotation(7 cities in 8 sems)
Mount St. Mary's University	Los Angeles	Los Angeles	1925	Master's Colleges & Universities: Medium Programs	not-for-profit	---	Roman Catholic (Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet)	---
National University	La Jolla	San Diego	1971	Master's Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs	not-for-profit	---	---	---
New York Film Academy	Los Angeles	Los Angeles	1992	Special Focus Four-Year: Arts, Music & Design Schools	for-profit	---	---	Film
NewSchool of Architecture and Design	San Diego	San Diego	1980	Special Focus Four-Year: Arts, Music & Design Schools	for-profit	---	Laureate International Universities	Arts & design
Northwestern Polytechnic University	Fremont	Alameda	1984	Not classified	not-for-profit	---	---	Business & engineering
Notre Dame de Namur University	Belmont	San Mateo	1851	Master's Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs	not-for-profit	---	Roman Catholic (Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur)	---
Oak Valley College	San Dimas	San Bernardino	2016	Not classified	not-for-profit	---	Christian	Business
Occidental College	Los Angeles	Los Angeles	1887	Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts & Sciences Focus	not-for-profit	NCAA Div. III	---	---
Oikos University	Oakland	Alameda	2004	Not classified	not-for-profit	---	---	---
Open Christian University	Laguna Beach	Orange County	2023	Exempt Religious Provider	not-for-profit	---	Non-denominational institution	---
Otis College of Art and Design	Westchester	Los Angeles	1918	Special Focus Four-Year: Arts, Music & Design Schools	not-for-profit	---	---	Arts & design
Pacific College of Health and Science	San Diego	San Diego	1986		for-profit	---		Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nursing, Massage Therapy
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary	Berkeley	Alameda	1950	Special Focus Four-Year: Faith-Related Institutions	not-for-profit	---	Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, California Lutheran University	---
Pacific Oaks College	Pasadena	Los Angeles	1958	Special Focus Four-Year: Other Special Focus Institutions	not-for-profit	---	---	Education, psychology, social justice
Pacific School of Religion	Berkeley	Alameda	1866	Special Focus Four-Year: Faith-Related Institutions	not-for-profit	---	United Church of Christ, United Methodist Church, Disciples of Christ	---
Pacific Union College	Angwin	Napa	1882	Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts & Sciences Focus	not-for-profit	NAIA	Seventh-day Adventist Church	---
Pacifica Graduate Institute	Santa Barbara	Santa Barbara	1976	Special Focus Four-Year: Other Health Professions Schools	for-profit	---	---	Psychology
Palmer College of Chiropractic	San Jose	Santa Clara	1980	Special Focus Four-Year: Other Health Professions Schools	not-for-profit	---	---	Doctor of Chiropractic
Palo Alto University	Palo Alto	Santa Clara	1975	Special Focus Four-Year: Other Health Professions Schools	not-for-profit	---	---	Psychology
Patten University	Oakland	Alameda	1944	Baccalaureate Colleges (Diverse Fields)	for-profit	---	---	No longer enrolling students
Pepperdine University	Malibu	Los Angeles	1937	Doctoral Universities: Moderate Research Activity	not-for-profit	NCAA Div. I	Churches of Christ	---
Pitzer College	Claremont	Los Angeles	1963	Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts & Sciences Focus	not-for-profit	NCAA Div. III	Claremont Colleges	---
Point Loma Nazarene University	San Diego	San Diego	1902	Master's Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs	not-for-profit	NCAA Div. II	Church of the Nazarene	---
Pomona College	Claremont	Los Angeles	1887	Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts & Sciences Focus	not-for-profit	NCAA Div. III	Claremont Colleges	---
Providence Christian College	Pasadena	Los Angeles	2002	Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts & Sciences Focus	not-for-profit	NAIA	Christian (non-denominational)	---
St. John's University (California)	Temecula	Riverside County	1969	Baccalaureate/associate's colleges, Distance learning	not-for-profit	---	Christian	Association of Independent Christian Colleges & Seminaries
Saint Mary's College of California	Moraga	Contra Costa	1863	Master's Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs	not-for-profit	NCAA Div. I	Roman Catholic (De La Salle Brothers)	---
St. Photios Orthodox Theological Seminary	Etna	Siskiyou	2015	Not classified	not-for-profit	---	Orthodox Christian	Religion
Samuel Merritt University	Oakland	Alameda	1909	Special Focus Four-Year: Other Health Professions Schools	not-for-profit	---	---	Nursing, health sciences
San Diego Christian College	Santee	San Diego	1970	Baccalaureate Colleges: Diverse Fields	not-for-profit	NAIA	Christian	---
San Diego University for Integrative Studies	San Diego	San Diego	1999	Not classified	---	---	---	---
San Francisco Conservatory of Music	San Francisco	San Francisco	1917	Music conservatory; bachelors and masters degree in performance, composition, recording, and technology
San Francisco Institute of Architecture	Berkeley	Alameda	1990	Not classified	---	---	---	Online
San Joaquin College of Law	Clovis	Fresno	1969	Special Focus Four-Year: Law Schools	not-for-profit	---	---	---
Santa Clara University	Santa Clara	Santa Clara	1851	Master's Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs	not-for-profit	NCAA Div. I	Roman Catholic (Society of Jesus (Jesuits))	---
Saybrook University	Oakland	Alameda	1971	Special Focus Four-Year: Other Health Professions Schools	not-for-profit	---	---	Psychology & health sciences; online
Scripps College	Claremont	Los Angeles	1926	Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts & Sciences Focus	not-for-profit	NCAA Div. III	Claremont Colleges	---
Simpson University	Redding	Shasta	1921	Master's Colleges & Universities: Small Programs	not-for-profit	NAIA	Christian and Missionary Alliance	---
Soka University of America	Aliso Viejo	Orange	2001	Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts & Sciences Focus	not-for-profit	NAIA	---	---
Southern California Institute of Architecture	Los Angeles	Los Angeles	1972	Special Focus Four-Year: Arts, Music & Design Schools	not-for-profit	---	---	Architecture
Southern States University	San Diego	San Diego	1983	Not classified	for-profit	---	---	---
Southwestern Law School	Los Angeles	Los Angeles	1972	Special Focus Four-Year: Law Schools	not-for-profit	---	---	Law School
Stanford University	Stanford	Santa Clara	1891	Doctoral Universities: Highest Research Activity	not-for-profit	NCAA Div. I FBS	---	---
Starr King School for Ministry	Berkeley	Alameda	1904	Special Focus Four-Year: Faith-Related Institutions	not-for-profit	---	Unitarian Universalist	---
Thomas Aquinas College	Santa Paula	Ventura	1971	Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts & Sciences Focus	not-for-profit	---	Roman Catholic	---
Touro University California	Vallejo	Solano	1997	Special Focus Four-Year: Medical Schools & Centers	not-for-profit	---	Judaism	---
Trident University International	Cypress	Orange	1998	Doctoral Universities: Moderate Research Activity	for profit	---	---	Online
University of Massachusetts Global	Multiple locations	---	2009	Master's Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs	not-for-profit	---	---	---
Union Institute & University	Multiple Locations	---	1964	Doctoral Universities: Moderate Research Activity	not-for-profit	---	---	---
University of Antelope Valley	Lancaster	Los Angeles	1997	Baccalaureate/Associate's Colleges: Mixed Baccalaureate/Associate's	for-profit	NAIA	---	---
University of La Verne	La Verne	Los Angeles	1891	Doctoral/Professional Universities	not-for-profit	NCAA Div. III	Church of the Brethren	---
University of Redlands	Redlands	San Bernardino	1907	Master's Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs	not-for-profit	NCAA Div. III	---	---
University of San Diego	San Diego	San Diego	1949	Doctoral Universities: Moderate Research Activity	not-for-profit	NCAA Div. I FCS	Roman Catholic	---
University of San Francisco	San Francisco	San Francisco	1855	Doctoral Universities: Moderate Research Activity	not-for-profit	NCAA Div. I	Roman Catholic (Society of Jesus (Jesuits))
University of Silicon Valley	Sunnyvale	Santa Clara	1887	Baccalaureate Colleges: Diverse Fields	for-profit	---	---	---
University of Southern California	Los Angeles	Los Angeles	1880	Doctoral Universities: Highest Research Activity	not-for-profit	NCAA Div. I FBS	---	---
University of the Pacific	Stockton	San Joaquin	1851	Doctoral Universities: Moderate Research Activity	not-for-profit	NCAA Div. I	---	---
University of the People	Pasadena	Los Angeles	2009	Master's Colleges & Universities: Small Programs	not-for-profit	---	---	Online
University of the West	Rosemead	Los Angeles	1990	Baccalaureate Colleges: Diverse Fields	not-for-profit	---	Buddhism (Fo Guang Shan)	---
University of West Los Angeles	Inglewood	Los Angeles	1966	Special Focus Institutions (Law)	for-profit	---	---	Law & business
Vanguard University	Costa Mesa	Orange	1920	Master's Colleges & Universities: Small Programs	not-for-profit	NAIA	Assemblies of God	---
Western Seminary, Sacramento Campus	Sacramento	Sacramento	1927	Special Focus Four-Year: Faith-Related Institutions	not-for-profit	---	Christian	---
Western Seminary, San Jose Campus	Santa Clara	Santa Clara	1927	Special Focus Four-Year: Faith-Related Institutions	not-for-profit	---	Christian	---
Western State College of Law	Fullerton	Orange	1966	Special Focus Four-Year: Law Schools	for-profit	---	Westcliff University	Law
Western University of Health Sciences	Pomona	Los Angeles	1977	Special Focus Four-Year: Medical Schools & Centers	not-for-profit	---	---	---
Westcliff University	Irvine	Orange	1993	Special Focus Four-Year: Business & Management Schools	for-profit	NAIA	---	Business and education
Westmont College	Montecito	Santa Barbara	1937	Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts & Sciences Focus	not-for-profit	NAIA	Evangelical Christian	---
Whittier College	Whittier	Los Angeles	1887	Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts & Sciences Focus	not-for-profit	NCAA Div. III	---	---
Woodbury University	Burbank	Los Angeles	1884	Master's Colleges & Universities: Medium Programs	not-for-profit	---	---	---
Zaytuna College	Berkeley	Alameda	2008	Not classified	not-for-profit	---	Islam	---

Defunct institutions

School	Location	Founded	Closed
Berean Bible College	Poway	1971	2018
Bethany University	Scotts Valley	1911	2011
Bristol University	Anaheim	1991	2017
Brooks Institute	Ventura	1945	2016
California College San Diego	San Diego	1978	2021
California Concordia College	Oakland	1906	1973
California Pacific University	Pinole	1976	2016
California Southern Law School	Riverside	1971	2020
Coleman University	San Diego	1963	2018[2]
Drexel University Sacramento	Sacramento	2009	2016
Eldorado College	Escondido	1961	1997
Herguan University	Sunnyvale	2008	2019
Holy Names University	Oakland	1868	2023
ICDC College	Huntington Park	1995	2016
Immaculate Heart College	Los Angeles	1906	1981
John F. Kennedy University	Pleasant Hill	1964	2021
Marymount California University	Rancho Palos Verdes	1932	2022
Mills College	Oakland	1852	2022
Mt Sierra College	Monrovia	1990	2019
National Hispanic University	San Jose	1981	2015
San Luis Rey College	Oceanside	1950	1968
Shepherd University	Los Angeles	1999	2017[2]
Silicon Valley University	San Jose	1997	2018
University of Beverly Hills	Beverly Hills		2007
University of Northern California, Lorenzo Patiño School of Law	Sacramento	1983	2013
University of Northern California	Petaluma	1993
Upland College	Upland	1920	1965
Washington College of Science and Industry	Irvington	1871	1894
Windsor University	Los Angeles		1982

See also

• California portal

• List of college athletic programs in California
• Higher education in the United States
• List of American institutions of higher education
• List of recognized higher education accreditation organizations
• List of colleges and universities in San Francisco

Notes

1. Classification are based on the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.
2. School types are based on the control classification of the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.