2024 Best Small Colleges in California

• Claremont, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.78 out of 5  148 reviews

Alum: My relationship with Harvey Mudd is quite messy and convoluted. No single experience will suffice to describe in its entirety; however, hopefully there is something helpful to you in my description! Let's begin. One thing I will say, Harvey Mudd is very difficult. I assume you already know this if you are looking into it, but I want to stress that you will most definitely be challenged. There are many classes to get through, and they are very rigorous. There were a lot sleepless nights, several of which spent in the engineering basement. The constant flow of problem sets, quizzes, midterms and projects will keep you busy to say the least! That being said, there is a wonderful support system at Mudd. Being in graduate school now, I really miss the accessibility to professors and student tutors. Mudd does a really amazing job of fostering collaboration with fellow peers and you guys will grow very close from all the shared struggle. I miss spending every night with them studying!... Read 148 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 10%

• Net price $33,838

• SAT range 1480-1560

• Pasadena, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.97 out of 5  133 reviews

Alum: I was in the Class of 1996. I had such a difficult time due to personal issues. I wish someone had been able to explain to me that it is okay to take a break. That would have been better than failing out and then taking a break. Also, peer support at the counseling center would have made a difference.... Read 133 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 4%

• Net price $30,162

• SAT range 1530-1580

• Claremont, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 4.23 out of 5  420 reviews

Alum: Pomona College was a very transformative space for me. The small class sizes and strong sense of community among professors and students really helped me thrive. I was surrounded by intellectually curious peers and inspiring professors during my four years. Beyond academics, there were an abundance of research and work opportunities to help explore my passions and potential career interests that I would not have been able to do in a larger school. I was able to pursue athletics at the collegiate level, work as a teaching research assistant, and organize community events— the opportunities were endless if you really searched for them. I also cannot forget how beautiful the campus was and how amazing the dining hall food was! Beyond the Pomona College community, you also have access to a consortium of four more top undergraduate colleges (Claremont McKenna, Scripps, Harvey Mudd, and Pitzer) where you can take classes at and connect with a whole new network of students and professors.... Read 420 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 7%

• Net price $17,000

• SAT range 1470-1570

• Claremont, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.94 out of 5  429 reviews

Freshman: People at CMC are welcoming, driven, intelligent, and fun to be around. There are a variety of social communities present on campus from kids that went to prep school, international school, charter schools, and public schools. Professors make themselves so accessible, and for many of my freshmen courses I am required to meet with them 1 on 1 before writing an essay. Everyone agrees that the professors truly care about their students. The social life can be really fun—Monte Carlo, Oktoberfest, and 601 are all a blast (especially because cmc is a wet campus and half the student body is part of a varsity sport). The campus is gorgeous being in the mountains with brand new facilities with much more on the way that is expected to be finished between 2024 and 2027. Not to mention it’s connected to a great college town with access to golf courses, beaches, and parks. Ultimately, you get all the benefits of a small and mid sized school in one… as long as you can manage a ton of work.... Read 429 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 11%

• Net price $21,663

• SAT range 1420-1530

• La Jolla, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.98 out of 5  1,158 reviews

Freshman: My experience at Narional has been good overall! The classes are set at a really good pace. The professors are super helpful and invested in the students. The only feedback for change that I have is the administration/financial aid side of things is kind of tricky once you are a student. I’ve been at National for 7 months now and still haven’t received my financial aid. Granted the school hasn’t been demanding I pay for my classes right now, I just have Large bill. And advisors don’t know much about that. They did just recently do something where they cross trained the admin team so that they are able to help with everything so that should be really helpful. I love Narional university and I would recommend them to anyone!... Read 1,158 reviews

• grade A

• Acceptance rate 55%

• Net price $9,966

• SAT range 750-1170

• Los Angeles, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.66 out of 5  501 reviews

Junior: I think one thing that sets Oxy apart from other schools is the relationship you will build with your professors and peers in a class setting. My professors are always really accessible and encourage everyone to go to office hours and ask questions. Because of the small class size and collaborative setting where I am able to talk to my classmates, I've met some of my closest friends in my classes at Oxy. Everyone here is super involved and passionate about something they do on campus. This creates a really fun and supportive culture where we all go to everyone's club events, music performances, and sports games. Oxy really takes advantage of its location in Los Angeles. I've had field trips to Downtown LA and City Hall, and there are lots of opportunities to get off campus like free tickets to the Kings game last week! I chose Oxy because I wanted to be a part of a community that cares about what they are doing and that is exactly what I've found here.... Read 501 reviews

• grade A

• Acceptance rate 38%

• Net price $43,047

• SAT range 1340-1490

• Claremont, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.76 out of 5  646 reviews

Junior: I think that overall, Pitzer offers an incredible education and a supportive community of students who genuinely care for each other. There's such a diverse range of courses, not to mention the incredible access you get to courses throughout the Claremont Consortium. However, sometimes it feels as though the administration is out of touch with the needs of the student body. There's been times where students, particularly minority students, have felt their needs disregarded by administration despite pressure from the student body. It's another thing I admire about Pitzer - students aren't afraid to speak their mind, and organize for causes they believe in.... Read 646 reviews

• grade A

• Acceptance rate 18%

• Net price $19,153

• SAT range 1300-1450

• 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 —

• San Diego, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.78 out of 5  1,032 reviews

Graduate Student: Point Loma Nazarene University excels in both academics and personal connection. Not only with students be able to find like-minded people, they will also have continuous support from professors and faculty throughout their college journey. The small class sizes allow for students to become close with their professors and classmates, which helps in building their network. My professors have helped me drastically in finding jobs, connecting me with others in the field, and by giving me personal advice and guidance in life. From my time at Point Loma Nazarene University, I feel as though I have grown personally, academically, and spiritually. I contribute a great amount of being who I am today because of my experiences at Point Loma Nazarene University. I enjoyed my time so much that I chose to return for my master's degree as well!... Read 1,032 reviews

• grade A minus

• Acceptance rate 84%

• Net price $34,851

• SAT range 1170-1350

• Fremont, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.67 out of 5  456 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 456 reviews

• grade A minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $12,787

• SAT range —

• Santa Maria, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  755 reviews

Sophomore: The staff is beyond extraordinary! Felt like walking in and being greeted by a big family. Everyone there wants to see you succeed, and no question is a dumb question. I was very anxious to start college as a 27 year old, and they helped me overcome my fears and anxiousness and I’m tackling more than I thought I would in a semester!... Read 755 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $6,629

• SAT range —

• Irvine, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 4.14 out of 5  111 reviews

Freshman: Stanbridge takes pride in making sure that their students succeed and I can agree. Although it is only my first term, all the professors and advisors that I have met have been very helpful. Some improvements that can be made are with parking and technical difficulties. Despite the expansion of the overflow lot across the street, parking is still very difficult to find considering that there are so many cohorts on campus at one time. In my honest opinion, the Edverum website can be improved by being able to see your grades for all your classes on one page. Another thing that should be changed is where we can see all the assignments that are due during the week all on one page too. These two enhancements can help create an efficient workspace for students. On the other hand, I wish the communication was better between the staff and students. Other than that, I would recommend this school to others!... Read 111 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 10%

• Net price $36,905

• 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 —

• South Lake Tahoe, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.64 out of 5  72 reviews

Sophomore: Lake Tahoe CC is a quaint and homey campus that is easy to navigate- especially for first time students who might be intimidated. Its location offers great scenery, and you’ll definitely be able to appreciate the natural beauty of Tahoe while walking through campus. Our school offers one of the only dark rooms on a college campus in California, and it’s even one of the last few schools in the nation offering classes in film development.... Read 72 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $7,867

• SAT range —

• San Luis Obispo, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  578 reviews

Sophomore: Cuesta was a great starting experience right out of high school to get a taste of college level courses, student life, and campus. Staff and faculty were great and always helpful, and there are plentiful resources aiding admissions, financial aid in AND out of school, job opportunities, career development and more. The current Cuesta website, as well as MyCuesta and Canvas, can all use some updates regarding contact information and site navigation, but once you get rolling it’s easy as pie. I’m an Art Major but it’s simple to change your major, navigate classes, review professors, and get in touch with counselors. I had to take many general education classes in the beginning as I was pursuing an AA degree, but I easily withdrew to only take art classes for a certificate instead. Great and easy! Also, a wonderful campus (SLO) with dozens of student life and event opportunities.... Read 578 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $14,586

• SAT range —

• Claremont, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.95 out of 5  469 reviews

Junior: I'm mostly writing this because my experience of Scripps feels incongruent with my experience here, and I want perspective students to know that Scripps can be a really lovely place. A lot of reviews talk about Scripps as a really cliquey school, which could be true to some people's experience, but I've found that everyone here is so friendly and welcoming if you make an effort to get to know them--I feel like it's easy to find community here, especially if you join clubs/have a job/talk to people in your classes. Also, a lot of the reviews said you need to find friends right away--but not true. I didn't find my main friend group until my second semester, and friends and such naturally change over time. I've also found such community in my major--I'm in a smaller, humanities department here, and all the profs are lovely--but I know some of my stem friends have had similar experiences. Scripps is by no means devoid of problems, but I definitely think things are improving post-pandemic.... Read 469 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 30%

• Net price $44,770

• SAT range 1380-1520

• 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 —

• Orange, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.91 out of 5  377 reviews

Alum: The overall way the campus is set up and run is great. I enjoyed my classes here, and I had great professors! The classes are good quality for the most part, especially if you are going for general education. One downside is that they don't offer as many options for majors as other colleges do. Lots of clubs and activities happening here on a regular basis! The campus itself is pretty small, but the area is nice. It's usually a pretty safe place to be, even at night. Being a two year school, there isn't a lot of student housing or apartments nearby, which can make commutes a little difficult. Overall a great place to get started with school if you don't know where to go!... Read 377 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $5,879

• SAT range —

• Redwood City, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 4.27 out of 5  256 reviews

Graduate Student: Dear I am glad to been here! I am Natan Assefa Abebe from Ethiopia. I have more than 13 years experience in Pharmacy Technician field. I'm have Diploma in Pharmacy Technician. In my experience I am a solution maker, inoviator or finder of ways to do and upgrade the existing work to the upgrade level and finder of new one. Through the pass of a years I want to upgrade my education and my life style. But what was the difficult to do so is money. I have not money to upgrade my education and my life also. That's why I am starting to get the opportunity of making money, searching opportunities to get money, Sponsors and scholarships. I Hope, You will Help Me until I achieve my dream and goal. Thank you So!... Read 256 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $5,923

• SAT range —

• Costa Mesa, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.82 out of 5  920 reviews

Junior: Vanguard University provides students with exceptional support. With every upcoming semester every major meets in some form with their individual advisors allowing there to be opportunities for any questions/concerns. The advisors make sure that every student is on track for their intended graduation date. Professors/staff are also really open about providing students with the necessary help. There is a great loving and close knit community on campus which allows students to enjoy their time there. Vanguard University also provides students with food resources/clothing resources as well as emotional support resources if students are in need of them. Commuters however, may have a difficult time getting involved due to the event dates and traveling time. Due to this fact, Vanguard is always open to improving the school and the events occurring which is why they provide students with the opportunity to offer feedback at the end of each semester. Great school!... Read 920 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 69%

• Net price $20,427

• SAT range 980-1200

• Los Angeles, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.75 out of 5  1,182 reviews

Senior: MSMU has been my home away from home. As a first-generation college student, transitioning from high school to a university was challenging. Yet, through an ISAE program I joined as a freshman, I have stayed on track with my academics while being involved with school events. ISAE is a program dedicated to helping first-generation college students fulfill their academic goals! This program has been vital to my success as it offers regular checkups regarding student progress and opportunities to connect with faculty and other students. Additionally, what makes the Mount special is that all the professors I have encountered throughout my college career have always cared exceptionally about my success and are willing to answer any questions. As far as something I would change, that would be increasing the acceptance rate for nursing school; seeing first-hand the nursing shortage, we need to offer more students the opportunity to pursue a nursing profession.... Read 1,182 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 90%

• Net price $24,508

• SAT range 900-1110

• Joshua Tree, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.72 out of 5  182 reviews

Sophomore: Copper Mountain College cares! The staff, faculty and fellow students care! They care about the college, the students and the staff/faculty! There is a foundation that also cares, they work hard to make sure that there is money available for scholarships and work with the students, clubs, and organizations to continue to fund these and help our financially! Everyone is here for one reason, education. Whether it be yours or theirs, there is a very caring environment on this campus and it makes going to class, studying and succeeding easier, not easy, but easier and you struggle through daily life.... Read 182 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $8,749

• SAT range —

• Compton, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.68 out of 5  390 reviews

Sophomore: The college itself is a supportive one that has good intentions! My only issue is how and the time things are resolved. Besides those issues, it’s a magnificent college with plenty of opportunities which allow the students that attend to flourish and or succeed! I would recommend this college if you already have an idea and or plan of what you intend to achieve. The reason why, is because community colleges are very easy to lose track of what your goals and aspirations are due to not having an idea and or plan of what one must complete.... Read 390 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $10,875

• 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 —

• Sonora, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.76 out of 5  181 reviews

Alum: This college is a hidden gem in the beautiful mountains of California. The campus is spread out in a serene forest setting with a reservoir in the center. Professors here are top notch and really care about their students. The facilities are state of the art, especially the science departments. Columbia College provides a personal, quality education with far less financial burden than a university. This is the perfect place to begin your college journey!... Read 181 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $10,735

• SAT range —