Four-Year Colleges and Universities in California

Find Your Perfect Fit: A Guide to California Four-Year Universities

Choosing a four-year college in California offers a world of opportunities, from the sunny campuses of the south to the tech centers in the Bay Area. The state provides a wide range of academic and personal options, whether you're looking for a large public university, a small private college, or a specialized technical or art school.

California's public university systems—the University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU)—are known for academic excellence. The UC system features top-ranked schools like the University of California, Berkeley and the University of California, Los Angeles, while the CSU system includes career-focused campuses like California State University, Long Beach and San Diego State University.

For a more personalized experience, California's private institutions are leaders in their fields. Stanford University and the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) are global research powerhouses. For artists, schools like ArtCenter College of Design and the California Institute of the Arts offer exceptional programs. Additionally, smaller liberal arts colleges such as Pomona College and Occidental College provide a close-knit community. This list also features great schools like Chapman University, Loyola Marymount University, and the University of Southern California, ensuring every student can find a perfect fit.