2024 Best Colleges with No Application Fee in California

• 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 Altos Hills, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.98 out of 5  510 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 510 reviews

• grade A minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $9,820

• 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 —

• La Mirada, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.98 out of 5  2,285 reviews

Senior: Biola's teachers are AMAZING! The online courses are well structured and provide exceptional content. I have grown so much in my faith, knowledge, and confidence in Christianity through the Bible, Theology, and Apologetics program. The only reason the school gets 4 stars instead of 5 is the administrative staff (Non- Academic advisors - my academic advisor was AWESOME!). This area of the school is severely lacking. They are unhelpful and even rude when trying to get confirmation on simple and important information. It soured my entire experience and ruled out any consideration of attending online for my master's degree.... Read 2,285 reviews

• grade A minus

• Acceptance rate 61%

• Net price $29,123

• SAT range 1080-1310

• Santa Barbara, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 4.11 out of 5  1,024 reviews

Freshman: My first semester at SBCC I took 2 online courses and 2 in-person courses. I really liked how simple the online courses were. I never had trouble turning in online assignments, contacting teachers, or asking for help. I also enjoyed how much the teachers cared even though we weren't seeing each other on a daily basis. They emialed us to make sure we were on track and always provided resources for extra help. The professors were also very educated on how to use the online format. My in-person classes were just as good. The professors truly cared about the work they put out. I took an acting and journalism class with amazing professors who pushed me to do better and made the class fun. Overall my time at SBCC was great!... Read 1,024 reviews

• grade A minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $14,000

• 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 —

• 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 —

• 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 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 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 —

• 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 —

• 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 —

• Santa Monica, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.93 out of 5  2,143 reviews

Freshman: I am currently a on campus Santa Monica College student. The energy on campus is very positive along with friendly students. The campus is also very diverse wit both students and teachers! There are a lot of food and drink choices all over the campus as well! The patio area near the cafe has a vast amount of tables and seating areas. Most of the class rooms look new and updated with both the buildings structure and the technology. The school also offers a large variety of different classes and the class options are very flexible to complicated schedules. Santa Monica College also offers a significant amount of extra help for students with learning disabilities. Most of the staff is friendly, welcoming, and helpful. There are also many clubs, fairs, and events on the Santa Monica campus. I personally believe that Santa Monica College is one of the best community college options available in California.... Read 2,143 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $6,380

• SAT range —

• 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 —

• Norwalk, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  1,331 reviews

Niche User: The best decision I have ever made was to attend Cerritos College for my summer courses. My teachers' and counselors' support throughout all of my classes helped me finish with excellent grades. The college environment in Cerritos is diverse and conveniently located. It is convenient for us students to grab a bite to eat before class because the campus is close to many restaurants. The level of safety is incredible, with constant security ensuring that all students are secure during class hours and during various important events. At Cerritos College, the students are approachable and make it simple to form relationships. Sports in Cerritos are exciting and enjoyable, especially football games. #GoFalcons!... Read 1,331 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $9,557

• 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 —

• 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 —

• Oceanside, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 4.04 out of 5  937 reviews

Sophomore: I loved the stem tutoring center and the free snacks available in the cafeteria. Staff including library and especially professors are very helpful and kind. You definitely have to advocate for yourself but I’m sure you do at other community colleges and universities. There aren’t many sports but there’s a ton of clubs to choose from. There are many other programs at miracosta such as accommodations for student learning, an honors society, transfer center and more. The counselors are great and are really helpful with financial aid, picking classes, and scholarships. I have definitely learned a lot and am excited to learn more going into my second year. Highly recommend!... Read 937 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $6,946

• SAT range —

• Azusa, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.77 out of 5  2,782 reviews

Graduate Student: The opportunity to become a graduate student at Azusa Pacific University came at great time in my life. As we were all getting through the pandemic, I had a lot of time think about whether I should go back to school, or not. I ended up applying for the Music Industry & Entrepreneurship program, and I'm glad I did. It's really been a blessing to me and my family, as I've been able to really dive in to the music industry and begin building a music company of my own. APU has assisted me in reaching my goal, and that's something that shouldn't be taken for granted. I'm certainly grateful, and glad to be a Cougar!... Read 2,782 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 94%

• Net price $27,112

• SAT range 1030-1260

• Cypress, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 4.07 out of 5  1,047 reviews

Sophomore: I love Cypress College! I came here after being at a 4-year university for a bit, because I wanted to save money. Cypress hasn't disappointed. They have plenty of programs that help students of different backgrounds. I've been fortunate to have all my textbooks paid for by the VRC. The STEM Program also provides amazing resources to students, including books loans and other perks. Campus provides free breakfasts and lunches for all students. If you're involved in clubs, there's so much potential to build a community for yourself. I generally feel safe on campus. Surrounding area has a lot of good restaurants and stores. Academics are good, but I've only had experience with STEM. I'm sure quality varies by professor since many are adjunct/not tenured; make use of RateMyProfessors. Overall I've had a wonderful experience here. Community colleges are a great financial decision, and Cypress College makes it a great educational and social experience as well.... Read 1,047 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $7,951

• SAT range —

• San Diego, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.89 out of 5  964 reviews

Sophomore: Overall, San Diego Mesa college is a perfectly fine school and honestly, probably your best choice in terms of community colleges in San Diego. They have a lot of opportunities and various resources to help disadvantaged students acclimate properly into the school. More often then not, the professors at Mesa are really passionate and inspiring within their classes - just be sure to always check ratemyprofessor first!... Read 964 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $7,663

• 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 —