2024 Top Colleges for Trades and Personal Services in California

• Los Angeles, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.76 out of 5  1,740 reviews

Senior: This university has contributed to the academic, social, and communal achievements. I have acquired during the course of my stay as a student here. Loyola Marymount University is the positive, namely, cause of not only my own achievements, but my family and siblings to come as well. As a first time generation student who was not exposed to diverse environments, independent environments; LMU has created a comfortable, easily accessible environment for us! I am thrilled that my siblings will be attending LMU next year, and joining the summer program this summer, 2023! Thank you LMU for being extremely welcoming, having positively supporting staff and support groups!... Read 1,740 reviews

• grade A minus

• Acceptance rate 46%

• Net price $40,180

• SAT range 1250-1420

• Los Angeles, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  603 reviews

Freshman: As a First Year at FIDM, it is literally everything a fashion opportunist could look for in a school! The courses not only supply basic knowledge in fashion but also take it a step further into color, design, advertising, and more to increase your skills when the opportunity comes. Unlike other schools, this institution definitely attracts opportunities for students to entail in their career.... Read 603 reviews

• grade C+

• Acceptance rate 36%

• Net price $41,070

• SAT range —

• San Francisco, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.79 out of 5  1,014 reviews

Junior: City College of San Francisco was such a grounding and fulfilling experience as a community college student. I enjoyed every course taken because of the in-depth teaching and open-mindedness of professors. Growing up in the Bay Area, it was very comforting to know that there are educators out there who are willing to go above and beyond for their students as well as the institution itself that is close to home. Much heart, passion, and hard work has gone into CCSF, and I hope the administration is able to continue working with such great faculty in the future. I will always remember and cherish my time at City!... Read 1,014 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $9,261

• SAT range —

• San Francisco, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.64 out of 5  2,322 reviews

Freshman: I am actually an incoming Freshman, so my review is of the family/student meet and greet weekend. The University of San Francisco pulled out all the stops. The students, staff, tours, mock classes, clubs - everything was amazing and informative. The speeches given were inspiring. The food and opportunities to meet other students were fantastic. There were tours of all the buildings by students who actually live in the dorms. The walkways were filled with clubs to join and prizes to win. And everyone I encountered was extremely knowledgable and supper friendly. They even had therapy dogs, which apparently they bring out during finals week - so cool. After sitting in on a few mock classes and speaking to the professors, I knew that University of San Francisco was where I wanted to spend my next four years studying. Any doubts I had about leaving my home state of Washington to become a USF student vanished - I commited to USF that day!... Read 2,322 reviews

• grade A minus

• Acceptance rate 71%

• Net price $39,825

• SAT range 1190-1390

• Walnut, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.96 out of 5  1,946 reviews

Sophomore: Mt. SAC has given me a sense of belonging in college, a newfound appreciation for education, and guidance for the rest of my life. The support programs and clubs gave me a community in higher education. The teachers, counselors, and fellow students gave me a newfound appreciation for education. And my guidance for the rest of my life came from the Mt SAC. events, counselors, student programs, and courses. I couldn't be more grateful!... Read 1,946 reviews

• grade A minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $5,774

• SAT range —

• San Francisco, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.89 out of 5  2,488 reviews

Freshman: Overall I want to say that I am very impressed with this school! I feel like I fit in with the other students where creating art is concerned! However, I am a little disappointed in the way this school treats transgender students. My best friend is transgender and she has deal with being dead named constantly by her professors. She has tried to correct them a countless amount of time for this, but to no avail. She said that only her French teacher used her correct pronouns and name, which is saying a lot since she has been in this school for over a year and the majority of her teachers misgender her. Personally, I would like there to be a little more understanding and respect towards LGBTQA+ students. As a university that claims to be diverse in their commercials on YouTube, there still seems to be some stigma towards trans students.... Read 2,488 reviews

• grade C+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $32,593

• SAT range —

• Hollywood, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 4.02 out of 5  85 reviews

Freshman: While Musicians Institute can be financially demanding and has posed a significant challenge for me to afford independently, I wholeheartedly endorse it for those who possess the financial means. This institution offers outstanding facilities, a dedicated staff, and creates a truly inspiring learning environment.... Read 85 reviews

• grade C+

• Acceptance rate 79%

• Net price $36,686

• SAT range —

• Santa Rosa, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 4.01 out of 5  1,330 reviews

Freshman: I love the atmosphere here! Everyone is friendly and I really like my professors. Theatre and English are my favorites. The books for classes are so interesting and how our classes and assignments go are pretty interesting and engaging. I wish they had a program to help with books and main supplies. They have been helping with food and some financial aid. But I really wish they could help with supplies, because that can really add up fast, especially since a lot of students have to work a lot to have enough for it. I love my campus though, the cafe and main cafeteria has many options and easy access to any information that I may need, the counseling and main mental health awareness is pretty good too, it has made school a lot easier!... Read 1,330 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $9,220

• SAT range —

• Santee, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.58 out of 5  301 reviews

Sophomore: This is my second year at San Diego Christian College's undergraduate, online program. The fact that they've had an online program for over 10 years amazes me! Being that online studies are pretty new to many universities due to the pandemic, San Diego Christian has been on top of their game in this field! I really enjoy the fact that my studies are very independent and that each and every course is Bible-based! So far, a very pleasant experience at this school!... Read 301 reviews

• grade C

• Acceptance rate 53%

• Net price $34,564

• SAT range 900-1120

• Riverside, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 4.13 out of 5  2,876 reviews

Junior: All throughout high school my teachers would try to hammer this perception that in college, I would be truly independent and nothing more than a number in a classroom. This couldn't be further from the truth regarding CBU. The professors here generally care for their students and show teaching is their passion. Professors remind us on the regular that they're available during their office hours and are even willing to make themselves available for us whenever we had questions. Every Professor I've had thus far has prayed for us before we take an exam, this helped me feel less stressed. Campus life is fun. Dorm life is a great way to make connections. If you're an incoming freshman, I recommend you try and live in Smith/Simmons hall. Campus always has a lot of events going on all the time. Make sure you get involved! The on-campus food is fantastic. I highly recommend El Monte. If you want something different than on-campus food, there's a great selection of food nearby campus.... Read 2,876 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 64%

• Net price $23,494

• SAT range 990-1210

• Santa Clara, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  368 reviews

Junior: I enjoyed my experience at mission college. I met professors that became my mentors and helped me when applying to internships by writing letters of recommendation. I’m grateful to be in a campus that here I feel supported by the staff and peers. The counselors also aided me when I was applying for universities and always answered my many questions. I would like to see the textbook requirement fee change since some students such as myself could not afford the textbook and I had to resort to borrowing from my classmates.... Read 368 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $6,727

• SAT range —

• San Mateo, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.95 out of 5  482 reviews

Other: College of San Mateo really impressed me as a community college. I was a high school students a part of the middle college program there. The amount of resources that you have access to as a student is mind blowing. From Mental Health Resources, to Disability resources, to an abundance of interesting classes, any goal you have with going to college, CSM has got your back. As far as things that could be changed, I would say that a kind of student to administration communication line needs to be opened. While it is the nature of college that professors essentially get free reign on their classroom, when I did have a problem with a professor that they refused to work out with me, I did not have anywhere to lobby my complaint, at least, to my knowledge. Other than, I absolutely recommend CSM to basically everyone! There is something for you here, no matter what you are looking for.... Read 482 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $5,427

• SAT range —

• Livermore, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.79 out of 5  608 reviews

Junior: I love the professors and the staff! The facilities are maintained and are being updated, and any new construction is there to benefit the students and staff. They are very protective of their students and staff and everyone is treated well. There’s resources for anyone and they genuinely do want to see everyone’s success. One thing I would like to see changed is the hours the administration, cafeteria, library, and student store remain open until. I feel the pandemic changed the hours of operation drastically and they never went back to the old hours, which had a lot of benefit to late-night students.... Read 608 reviews

• grade A minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $7,675

• SAT range —

• Kentfield, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.71 out of 5  252 reviews

Other: At College of Marin, teachers and staff are genuinely interested in your success. I have been preparing to apply to nursing school over the course of the last six years, with many serious real life interruptions to my education. I was given the benefit of the doubt under many circumstances and encouraged to continue with my studies, regardless of pace. Despite the many trials and tribulations, I have felt supported continuously and have been given the chance to make up for shortcomings due to hardship. I was recently admitted to College of Marin's school of nursing with excellent scoring on my application and much that is due to the support I received at the school. I look forward to two more years and then transferring to a graduate program. Thanks for the opportunity to provide a positive review.... Read 252 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $7,717

• SAT range —

• Glendale, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.78 out of 5  680 reviews

Sophomore: I love this school! Overall it's been a great experience being a student at GCC. The professors are mostly good, the classes are engaging and I've learned a lot, and the school administrators are very helpful. I've worked with many counselors and I feel very supported by my school, and I'm always learning about new groups or scholarship opportunities. The transfer center is also great and offers many resources for students looking to transfer with an Associates degree.... Read 680 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $7,823

• SAT range —

• Fremont, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.67 out of 5  455 reviews

Sophomore: My time at Ohlone College has been both challenging and rewarding. One of the things I appreciate most about Ohlone College is the abundance of valuable college resources available to students. They offer various support services to help students succeed academically. The tutoring center has been particularly beneficial, providing assistance in areas where I may need extra help. Whether it's getting clarification on complex topics or receiving guidance on assignments, the tutoring center has been a valuable asset. Moreover, the college organizes career services and workshops that have been immensely helpful in shaping my career goals. They offer resume-building workshops, job fairs, and internship opportunities, which have provided me with practical insights into the business world and helped me prepare for my future career.... Read 455 reviews

• grade A minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $12,787

• SAT range —

• Los Altos Hills, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.98 out of 5  509 reviews

Junior: I have been at Foothill for almost three years now and throughout these past years I feel like I am very satisfied with my education here. To begin, the professors show that they care for their students by being flexible to meet with students one on one and they are very big on advocating for diversity within their classrooms. In every class I have taken, the professors make it a point to emphasize the importance of valuing everyone in the class. Most importantly, the professors provide students with the information of almost every resource that is available to us such as tutoring, mental health services , and financial aid resources. What I also really love about the school is the campus. The style of the campus gives me an old town vibe and I completely fell in love with it. There are so many trees and open space so it is possible to study or do homework at the tables that are spread out in the quad. Overall, this school is a good choice to keep in mind!... Read 509 reviews

• grade A minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $9,820

• SAT range —

• Pasadena, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.81 out of 5  1,789 reviews

Freshman: Pasadena City College while not a highly connected community, is a very pleasant and friendly one. Students tend to keep to themselves and professors are very eager to help their students succeed and are far more willing to communicate with their students than in my previous college experiences. It will not be easy! You will need to put in hard work, and utilize all resources available to you should you want to pull off those A grades. The campus is sweet and small, relatively quiet and nestled right next to many boba shops and fast food options for busier students who need a quick meal to tide them over. Be it working night shifts, day shifts, or anything in-between; if you are willing to communicate with professors they will do all in their power to accommodate you. Overall while students tend to keep to themselves, some of the best friendships I've made were through PCC. I discovered both my patience and my grit with the Pasadena Lancers, proud to have been apart of the family... Read 1,789 reviews

• grade A minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $6,466

• SAT range —

• Costa Mesa, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.89 out of 5  1,155 reviews

Alum: OCC is one of the biggest and, arguably, one of the best community colleges in the nation. They boast a large variety of majors and programs for students to explore. My experience with the counselors have been amazing, as they helped me complete the credits I needed for transfer and discover the right major for me. As a two-year college, the classes offered are mostly lower division general education classes. OCC offers an associates degree or certification for almost every major available. The facilities on campus are well maintained with brand new buildings across campus, including the college center, student union, literature & language building, and (my favorite) the planetarium. You’ll be able to meet and learn along side a diverse population of students coming to study from across the country and the world. With a beautiful campus, a large variety of majors, and amazing staff, I couldn’t recommend OCC more!... Read 1,155 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $6,836

• SAT range —

• Santa Clarita, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.84 out of 5  1,008 reviews

Sophomore: I was blessed with the opportunity of Canyons Promise. I loved all of my professors and classes, they made me more passionate about what I want to do with my life and gave me new encouragement to continue with my creative abilities. I had certain professors who clearly were passionate about what they did and had a love for teaching! One professor I will remember was one of my childhood development teachers. She was always encouraging, loving and gave helpful feedback for anything I was struggling with. I would encourage every and anyone looking to start their college career here!... Read 1,008 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $6,400

• SAT range —

• San Diego, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.9 out of 5  564 reviews

Sophomore: Throughout my many years of experience as a student at San Diego Miramar College, I have nothing terrible to say. I've had the best community college experience at this campus, as well as Miramar's sister campuses in San Diego. When I was a high school graduate, it was an easy transition into college life at this school. The professors and students are extremely helpful and encouraging! I will forever miss the professors at this college. The professors always have their students' best interest and do their best to be their for their students because they find fulfillment helping their students to succeed! The campus is well organized, very easy to navigate and find the correct building and class. The campus is great for older students and first time college students. I say this because it's easy to navigate your way as a student, not over whelming with many students and or events, and this campus has many resources to help you and your education.... Read 564 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $7,880

• SAT range —

• Saratoga, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  512 reviews

Sophomore: My experience so far at west valley has been really great. I've taken lots of asynchronous, synchronous, and in-person classes. Many professors at this school are very understanding and want to support you in every way they can. West valley also has amazing counselors that are so helpful when it comes to meeting transfer or graduation requirements. For any students considering going to a community college in the San Jose area, I would recommend West Valley!... Read 512 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $6,890

• SAT range —

• Hayward, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.78 out of 5  581 reviews

Sophomore: My time at Chabot College was truly incredible. The teachers were not only knowledgeable but also incredibly kind and always willing to assist me in any way they could. One standout aspect of Chabot was the TAG program, which played a pivotal role in helping students gain admission to the school. The TAG program, in particular, stood out as a unique opportunity for prospective students. It exemplified Chabot's commitment to making education accessible. By assisting students in navigating the admissions process and ensuring they met the requirements Overall, my experience at Chabot College was nothing short of amazing. The combination of excellent educators, a supportive atmosphere, and innovative programs like TAG made my time there both fulfilling and impactful. I am truly grateful for the opportunities I had and the knowledge I gained during my time at Chabot.... Read 581 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $8,576

• SAT range —

• Emeryville, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.66 out of 5  131 reviews

Alum: The Artistic collaboration between students and instructors. Get a in depth look on how the production of video games, film, and tv shows work.... Read 131 reviews

• grade C minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $16,619

• SAT range —

• San Jose, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.62 out of 5  4,312 reviews

Sophomore: My experience at San Jose State University has been great. The majority of staff goes beyond expectations to help their students succeed in everything and anything they may need, although responses from the College of Science can take some time. The professors put their student's best interests at heart, and I have learned valuable lessons that will benefit my life well after I graduate from University. The professors always vocalize the help that they provide their students if assistance is needed to better comprehend subjects. The students are also a joy, and most of the students I encountered are super friendly. This factor makes my time at university enjoyable, and overall SJSU is a great school and I recommend it to anyone who is thinking of becoming a future spartan!... Read 4,312 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 84%

• Net price $14,603

• SAT range 1010-1240