The competition is stiff, especially in California. If you’re wondering what the easiest colleges to get into in California are, I can share some insight from my eight-plus years working in the state’s higher education system.
The Easiest Colleges to Get into in California
Please note that I limited this list only to include colleges with good reputations and campus life. It is not exhaustive, but it will give you a great place to begin your search!
Consider the Excellent Community Colleges
I must begin with a plug for the California Community College system. I have worked in higher education in several states, and California does it extremely well. At only $46 per unit for in-state students, you will not find a more affordable option. In addition, they have virtually no admission requirements. You can even take classes without a high school diploma.
If you are looking for the easiest colleges to get into in California because of a low GPA, you want to avoid the SAT or ACT, or the application process seems daunting, community college is an excellent option for you. If you’re curious about the difference between community college and university, I have a great article to help you compare.
There are over 200 community colleges throughout the state of California. Additionally, Calbright, the state’s online community college, offers flexible coursework to students at an affordable rate. Use the Find a College website to locate community colleges in California.
Easiest CSU Colleges to Get into in California
The CSU (California State University) system has a few excellent options for students looking at the easiest colleges to get into California. While the admission requirements won’t be as easy as attending a community college, you can still find great schools with high admission rates.
Humboldt State University – Consider going to college amongst the Redwoods! Humboldt is located in a beautiful area of Northern California. The acceptance rate in 2020 was 92 percent, and, lucky for you, you can complete an application for the CSU system and submit it to multiple schools.
Sonoma State University – Located just an hour north of San Francisco, Sonoma State is a great option for your college education. The area is beautiful, and the college has a 92 percent acceptance rate.
Sacramento State University – Sacramento has it all! The capital city is beautiful and full of life. And, when you want to escape the city, Lake Tahoe is only a few hours away, as are the beautiful National Parks of Central and Northern California. The acceptance rate at Sacramento State is 82 percent.
California State University, Dominguez Hills – If you are looking for a Southern California School that isn’t impossible to get into, check out CSU Dominguez Hills. You can still head to Long Beach or Manhattan Beach often, but you won’t see the terrible acceptance rates of other SoCal schools. The acceptance rate for 2020 was 77 percent.
CSU Monterey Bay – If you haven’t considered CSU Monterey Bay, add it to your list. Monterey is the perfect location for an outdoor lover. Beaches, mountains, Big Sur, it will all be at your fingertips. The acceptance rate last year was 75 percent!
Easiest UC Colleges to Get into in California
Putting “easy” and “UC” in the same sentence doesn’t feel right. But, there are some University of California schools that are easier to get into than others.
UC Merced – The tenth and newest UC campus is the University of California Merced. Established in 2005, it still has the shiny, new feeling! The acceptance rate in 2020 was 72 percent.
UC Riverside – Nestled in the San Bernardino Valley, UC Riverside is a great option for students who want a UC school with a higher acceptance rate. In 2020, UC Riverside’s acceptance rate was 56 percent.
UC Santa Cruz – If you are looking for a coastal town with it all, including a great education, Santa Cruz has it. I love this city, and it would be an exceptional place to spend four years (or two if you are transferring). With an acceptance rate of 51 percent, you might have a good chance of becoming a Banana Slug!
Easiest Colleges to Get into in California in the Private Sector
There are some amazing private schools in California. Some of them have dismal acceptance rates, like Stanford’s 4 percent or the University of Southern California’s 11 percent. However, there are excellent private schools with great reputations and campus cultures that have higher acceptance rates. Here are a few to consider.
California Baptist University – Not far from UC Riverside, you’ll find a great private university called California Baptist. Students love the campus environment and student experience. If you are interested in private education, it is worth a visit. The acceptance rate is 78 percent.
Point Loma Nazarene University – Try finding a campus that has prettier views. The oceanfront campus in San Diego is gorgeous, and the student life is great. With an acceptance rate of almost 74 percent in 2020, you have a high likelihood of admittance.
Azusa Pacific University – Finally, add Azusa Pacific to the list of private schools you might consider. It is the most competitive of the three I am highlighting with a 67 percent acceptance rate. But, again, students rave about the experience, and the school is well respected.
Considering Community College and Transferring to a University
If you are looking for the easiest colleges to get into in California, consider the opportunity to attend community college and then transfer to a university to finish your bachelor’s degree, especially if you are concerned about your GPA or ACT/SAT scores.
Community college can give you a great academic foundation while allowing you to establish your post-secondary GPA. Additionally, success rates of students transferring from a community college to a California university are higher than students who enter university straight after high school. It can be a win-win combination for students!
Are You Navigating College and Career Planning? I can help!
My name is Loren, and I am a College Instructor and coach for students. I get fulfillment by helping students find the best fit for them! We are all different, and college is not a one-size-fits-all decision. If you aren’t sure what college is a good fit or how you even want to use the degree when you get it, let’s chat. Book a free consultation, no strings attached, so I can hear what you are thinking and chat about getting you unstuck.
