# Easiest Colleges to Get Into in California (2026)

> The 15 California colleges with the highest acceptance rates, with graduation rate and net price for each. Verified IPEDS and College Scorecard data.

- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/blog/easiest-colleges-to-get-into-in-california
- Category: Admissions Advice
- Author: CollegesRef Editorial
- Published: 2026-11-03
- Updated: 2026-11-04
- Data guide: figures are built only from federal IPEDS and College Scorecard data.

The California colleges with the highest acceptance rates are DeVry University-California, California Polytechnic State University-Humboldt, and California State University-Stanislaus. California's 53 qualifying colleges split almost evenly between public (31) and private (22) institutions, and its median acceptance rate of 75% sits close to the national median of 78%. Graduation rates hold fairly steady across the list (median 53%) regardless of how open admission is, and average net price is shown for every school.

## California colleges with the highest acceptance rates

| # | College | City | Acceptance rate | Graduation rate | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | [DeVry University-California](https://www.collegesref.com/college/devry-university-california-802) | Ontario | 99% | 39% | $36,531 |
| 2 | [California Polytechnic State University-Humboldt](https://www.collegesref.com/college/california-polytechnic-state-university-humboldt-361) | Arcata | 98% | 44% | $13,751 |
| 3 | [California State University-Stanislaus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/california-state-university-stanislaus-378) | Turlock | 98% | 52% | $3,565 |
| 4 | [California State University-Monterey Bay](https://www.collegesref.com/college/california-state-university-monterey-bay-373) | Seaside | 97% | 63% | $13,861 |
| 5 | [California State University-East Bay](https://www.collegesref.com/college/california-state-university-east-bay-368) | Hayward | 97% | 49% | $6,858 |
| 6 | [San Francisco State University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/san-francisco-state-university-2349) | San Francisco | 96% | 50% | $9,803 |
| 7 | [California State University-Fresno](https://www.collegesref.com/college/california-state-university-fresno-369) | Fresno | 95% | 58% | $5,418 |
| 8 | [California State University-San Marcos](https://www.collegesref.com/college/california-state-university-san-marcos-377) | San Marcos | 95% | 55% | $10,939 |
| 9 | [California State University-Channel Islands](https://www.collegesref.com/college/california-state-university-channel-islands-365) | Camarillo | 95% | 55% | $8,534 |
| 10 | [California State University-Sacramento](https://www.collegesref.com/college/california-state-university-sacramento-375) | Sacramento | 94% | 54% | $11,186 |
| 11 | [California State University-Bakersfield](https://www.collegesref.com/college/california-state-university-bakersfield-364) | Bakersfield | 94% | 48% | $4,001 |
| 12 | [California State University-San Bernardino](https://www.collegesref.com/college/california-state-university-san-bernardino-376) | San Bernardino | 94% | 53% | $3,946 |
| 13 | [California State University-Northridge CSUN](https://www.collegesref.com/college/california-state-university-northridge-csun-374) | Northridge | 93% | 57% | $6,346 |
| 14 | [Sonoma State University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/sonoma-state-university-2438) | Rohnert Park | 93% | 55% | $10,759 |
| 15 | [California State University-Dominguez Hills](https://www.collegesref.com/college/california-state-university-dominguez-hills-367) | Carson | 93% | 42% | $7,244 |

## California has higher sticker prices and leads on earnings after college

53 California colleges enroll at least 2,000 students and report both an acceptance rate and a graduation rate: 31 public colleges, 18 private nonprofit, and 4 for-profit. Before aid, the full cost of attendance has a median of $41,008, above the $31,674 nationally. Ten years after starting, former students of the median college earn $73,331, ahead of the $63,391 national median. After grants, the median net price is $14,538, cheaper than the $18,210 national median.

| Measure | California | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Median acceptance rate | 75% | 78% |
| Colleges admitting 90% or more | 36% | 21% |
| Public share of colleges | 58% | 58% |
| In-state tuition at publics (median) | $8,824 | $10,574 |
| Out-of-state tuition at publics (median) | $22,144 | $22,276 |
| Nonresident tuition premium (median) | $13,320 | $12,411 |
| Average net price after grants (median) | $14,538 | $18,210 |
| Cost of attendance before aid (median) | $41,008 | $31,674 |
| Six-year graduation rate (median) | 68% | 61% |
| Earnings ten years after entry (median) | $73,331 | $63,391 |
| Undergraduates with Pell Grants (median) | 40% | 34% |

Among the 15 colleges in the table, six-year graduation rates run from 39% at DeVry University-California to 63% at California State University-Monterey Bay, a 23 percentage points gap. Their median of 53% trails the 68% for all California colleges in scope, so the easiest admits here are not the strongest finishers.

On admission, publics are the more open sector, with a median of 91% against 68% at private colleges. The largest public options that admit at least 75% of applicants are [California State University-Fullerton](https://www.collegesref.com/college/california-state-university-fullerton-370) (about 38,546 students, 91% admitted), [California State University-Northridge CSUN](https://www.collegesref.com/college/california-state-university-northridge-csun-374) (about 32,691 students, 93% admitted), and [California State University-Sacramento](https://www.collegesref.com/college/california-state-university-sacramento-375) (about 28,350 students, 94% admitted).

## Key takeaways

- Acceptance rates on the list are tightly grouped, from 93% to 99%, so small differences in rank say little about how hard each school is to get into. Even the last school admits more than the 78% national median.
- California State University-Northridge CSUN, a public school, is the largest campus here at about 32,691 students and ranks 13th, while the smallest school on the list enrolls about 2,378.
- No two schools on the list share a city; the 15 locations include Arcata, Bakersfield, and Camarillo.
- Public colleges are over-represented, filling 14 of the 15 spots (93%) while making up 58% of the state pool.
- DeVry University-California is the only for-profit institution on the list.

## Where California's open-admission publics sit on cost

Four years of average net price, a rough total for a student who receives grants and finishes on time, comes to about $14,260 at California State University-Stanislaus, $34,136 at the median school on this list, and $146,124 at DeVry University-California; with a list median graduation rate of 53%, it is worth pricing a fifth year at the schools with weaker completion. A dependent student can borrow at most $27,000 in federal Direct Loans over four years ([studentaid.gov](https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans/subsidized-unsubsidized)); at DeVry University-California that leaves about $119,124 of the four-year net price to cover another way, nearly as much again as the federal limit, and 5 of the 15 schools in the table come in under that ceiling over four years.

| College | Four years at avg. net price | Four years of in-state tuition | Four years of out-of-state tuition | Pell Grant recipients | Median earnings (10 yrs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [DeVry University-California](https://www.collegesref.com/college/devry-university-california-802) | $146,124 | $63,968 | $63,968 | 66% | $51,716 |
| [California Polytechnic State University-Humboldt](https://www.collegesref.com/college/california-polytechnic-state-university-humboldt-361) | $55,004 | $35,296 | $88,576 | 46% | $54,882 |
| [California State University-Stanislaus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/california-state-university-stanislaus-378) | $14,260 | $34,760 | $88,040 | 60% | $65,560 |
| [California State University-Monterey Bay](https://www.collegesref.com/college/california-state-university-monterey-bay-373) | $55,444 | $32,580 | $85,860 | 49% | $63,891 |
| [California State University-East Bay](https://www.collegesref.com/college/california-state-university-east-bay-368) | $27,432 | $31,972 | $85,252 | 49% | $73,868 |

California State University-Dominguez Hills has the largest share of Pell Grant recipients in the table (68% of undergraduates), so its average net price already reflects many lower-income students; the maximum Pell Grant for 2026-27 is $7,395 ([studentaid.gov](https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grants/pell)). Without grants, four years of tuition alone comes to $30,384 at California State University-Channel Islands and $63,968 at DeVry University-California, before housing, food, and books; run each school's net price calculator before assuming a family gets no grants, since many middle-income households still qualify. Nonresidents pay a median of $13,320 more a year in tuition at the public schools in the table; most schools in the table are public, so this affects nearly every option, and the widest gap is at California Polytechnic State University-Humboldt, where four years of out-of-state tuition costs $53,280 more than California residents pay. Set against earnings, California State University-Stanislaus stands out: its former students' median earnings of $65,560 ten years after entry are 4.6 times its four-year net price.

## California colleges with the largest grant discounts on sticker price

Before financial aid enters the picture, the sticker price of attending college in California is high. CollegesRef data shows that the median cost of attendance before aid for California institutions with at least 2,000 students is $41,008, which sits nearly $10,000 above the national median of $31,674. This sticker price includes tuition, fees, housing, food, books, and personal expenses.

For many families, however, the actual out-of-pocket cost is much lower because of federal, state, and institutional grants. After these grants are applied, the median average net price in California drops to $14,538, making it more affordable than the national median net price of $18,210.

### Measuring the gap between sticker price and net price

An applicant can find the exact discount a college offers by subtracting the average net price from the total cost of attendance. This calculation reveals how much grant aid the average student at that campus receives. Among the easiest colleges to get into in California, several public universities provide substantial discounts that bring the actual cost down to a fraction of the published sticker price.

At California State University-Dominguez Hills, the total cost of attendance before aid is $22,839. After grants are applied, the average net price drops to $7,244, which means the average student receives $15,595 in grant aid. San Francisco State University has a higher starting cost of attendance at $25,244, but grants bring its average net price down to $9,803, yielding a discount of $15,441.

Other campuses show similar patterns of heavy discounting through state and federal grants. California State University-Channel Islands has a cost of attendance of $23,432 and an average net price of $8,534, giving students an average grant discount of $14,898. At California State University-Sacramento, the cost of attendance is $25,925 and the average net price is $11,186, which represents a grant discount of $14,739.

### Finding the lowest net prices on the list

While the size of the discount matters, the final net price is what a family must actually pay or borrow. California State University-Bakersfield stands out for having both a low starting cost and a low final price. Its cost of attendance is $18,458, and its average net price is just $4,001, meaning grants cover $14,457 of the total. This leaves a very small gap for a student to fund through work or federal loans.

By contrast, Sonoma State University has a cost of attendance of $24,931 and an average net price of $10,759. The grant discount there is $14,172, which is comparable to the other CSU campuses, but the student is still left with a larger final bill to cover.

When building an application list, families must look past the initial sticker price of these public universities. Because California has a robust state grant program alongside federal Pell Grants, the schools with high acceptance rates on this list often end up being highly affordable. An applicant should use the net price calculator on each university's financial aid website to estimate their specific aid package before ruling out a school based on its published cost of attendance.

## California colleges with open admissions yield strong earnings for lower costs

A student looking at California's most accessible public universities will find that high acceptance rates do not automatically lead to poor career outcomes. Former students of the median California college earn $73,331 ten years after entry, according to CollegesRef data. This state median sits nearly $10,000 higher than the national median of $63,391.

For families building a balanced application list, these figures show that regional public campuses in California often deliver a strong return on a modest investment. The state's public university systems keep net prices low for residents while preparing graduates for a high-wage regional job market.

### Where high salaries meet low net prices

An applicant can find several campuses on this list where the typical salary ten years after starting far outstrips the annual cost of attendance. California State University-East Bay leads the 15 easiest colleges to get into with median earnings of $73,868, yet its average net price is just $6,858 a year. San Francisco State University follows closely with median earnings of $73,299 against an average net price of $9,803 a year.

Further north, Sonoma State University graduates post median earnings of $71,264, while the school maintains an average net price of $10,759 a year. These three institutions demonstrate that regional public universities in high-cost areas of California still offer a clear path to middle-class wages without requiring students to take on heavy debt.

### The risk of high costs and low returns

The financial picture changes quickly when a student looks at the bottom of the earnings list, where some institutions charge a premium for weaker career outcomes. DeVry University-California, the only for-profit school on the list, shows the lowest median earnings at $51,716 ten years after entry. Despite these lower earnings, its average net price is $36,531 a year, which is the highest annual cost on the list by a wide margin.

Over four years, a student at DeVry University-California faces a total net price of $146,124, a sum that easily exceeds the federal loan limits for both dependent and independent undergraduates.

Other schools with lower earnings are public, but they charge much less than for-profit options. California Polytechnic State University-Humboldt graduates earn a median of $54,882 ten years after entry, with the school charging an average net price of $13,751 a year. California State University-San Bernardino shows median earnings of $61,951, but its average net price is an exceptionally low $3,946 a year.

At San Bernardino, a student can realistically cover the entire cost of attendance using federal student loans and part-time work, minimizing the need for private loans or parent borrowing.

When comparing these options, families must look at the relationship between what a graduate earns and what the degree costs. A high acceptance rate makes a college a reliable safety option for admission, but the school must still make financial sense.

Choosing a low-cost public university like California State University-East Bay over a high-cost private option can save a student tens of thousands of dollars in interest while placing them in a stronger position to pay off any undergraduate debt they do accumulate.

## Net price discounts at California's most accessible public universities

Families comparing financial aid offers will find that California's most accessible colleges often cost less than similar options across the country. CollegesRef data shows the median average net price after grants is $14,538 in California, compared to $18,210 nationwide. This state-level discount becomes even more pronounced when looking at the fifteen schools with the highest acceptance rates in the state. The median net price of the listed colleges is $8,534, which is nearly $10,000 below the national median.

These net price figures represent the actual cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, books, housing, and food, after subtracting all federal, state, and institutional grant aid. For families planning a budget, these figures show that high acceptance rates do not automatically mean high costs. In California, the public university system offers a direct path to a degree without the heavy debt load often found at open-access institutions in other states.

### The wide cost gap between public and for-profit options

The overall list median of $8,534 conceals a massive divide between the single private for-profit option and the public universities on the list. DeVry University-California has the highest net price on the list at $36,531. This is more than ten times the net price of the most affordable public options in the state.

For students who want to keep their debt minimal, three public campuses stand out for their exceptionally low net prices. California State University-Stanislaus leads the list with a net price of $3,565, followed closely by California State University-San Bernardino at $3,946 and California State University-Bakersfield at $4,001. These campuses are highly accessible to applicants and offer a clear financial advantage, especially for students who qualify for state and federal grants.

At the other end of the public spectrum, some campuses carry higher net prices due to regional housing costs and lower institutional aid pools. The highest net prices among the public universities on the list belong to California State University-Monterey Bay at $13,861 and California Polytechnic State University-Humboldt at $13,751. While these prices are still below the national median of $18,210, they are nearly triple the cost of the Bakersfield or Stanislaus campuses.

### Balancing admission odds against long-term college debt

An applicant building a balanced college list must look beyond the acceptance rate to see if the school is financially viable. Because California's public universities dominate this high-acceptance list, students do not have to trade away their admission chances to find an affordable option. A student can apply to California State University-Stanislaus with a 98% chance of admission and face a net price that is a fraction of the national average.

When a student looks at these figures, they must check the net price calculator on each college's financial aid website. The average net price is a helpful benchmark, but a family's actual bill will depend on their household income and assets. For a student who does not qualify for need-based grants, the list shows that public in-state tuition remains a predictable baseline, whereas the for-profit model at DeVry University-California will require significant self-funding or private loans. Comparing these net prices early helps families avoid the trap of applying to a school that is easy to get into but impossible to afford.

## Graduation rates at California's most accessible universities

An open admissions policy gets an applicant through the door, but it does not guarantee a degree. Across the 53 California colleges with at least 2,000 students analyzed by CollegesRef, the median six-year graduation rate is 68%. This outperforms the national median graduation rate of 61%. However, when looking strictly at the 15 California colleges with the highest acceptance rates, the median graduation rate drops to 53%.

A student building a balanced application list must look beyond the initial acceptance letter. The effort and money spent on tuition only yield a return if the student finishes the program. Comparing the completion records of these highly accessible institutions reveals which campuses support students through to graduation and which ones leave a majority of their students without a credential.

### The top performers for student completion

Three public universities on the high-acceptance list manage to graduate more than half of their students within six years. California State University-Monterey Bay leads the group with a 63% graduation rate while maintaining a 97% acceptance rate. Following closely is California State University-Fresno, which graduates 58% of its students and admits 95% of applicants. California State University-Northridge CSUN rounds out the top tier, graduating 57% of its students while accepting 93% of those who apply.

These three institutions demonstrate that broad access does not have to result in low graduation rates. For families comparing options, these campuses represent some of the safest choices on the list. They combine a near-certain chance of admission with a better-than-average probability of finishing the degree on time.

### Where graduation rates fall behind

At the other end of the spectrum, several accessible colleges struggle to graduate even half of their incoming classes. DeVry University-California, a private for-profit institution, has the lowest graduation rate on the list at 39%, despite admitting 99% of applicants. Among the public options, California State University-Dominguez Hills graduates only 42% of its students while admitting 93%. California Polytechnic State University-Humboldt also shows weak completion outcomes, graduating 44% of its students while accepting 98% of applicants.

A low graduation rate often signals that a campus lacks the advising resources, course availability, or financial aid support necessary to keep students enrolled. When a student enrolls at a college with a 39% or 42% graduation rate, the statistical reality is that they are more likely to leave without a degree than with one. This outcome can be financially devastating, especially if the student accumulated federal student loans along the way.

### The retention gap at San Francisco State

Some universities successfully keep students after their first year but struggle to guide them through to graduation. San Francisco State University presents the largest gap between first-year retention and eventual graduation on this list. At San Francisco State, 83% of first-year students return for their second year, yet only 50% of students graduate within six years.

This 33 percentage point drop suggests that the transition to college is not the primary obstacle for students at this campus. Instead, roadblocks likely appear later in the academic journey. These obstacles frequently include difficulty registering for required upper-division major courses, changes in financial aid eligibility, or rising living costs in the San Francisco area. Families evaluating San Francisco State must plan for the possibility of a fifth or sixth year of enrollment to secure a degree.

## Admission standards at California's most accessible public and private colleges

California offers a highly accessible public university system. A student looking at the state's higher education options will find that the median acceptance rate in California is 75%, which sits just below the national median of 78%. While that overall average is comparable to the rest of the country, the state stands out for its high concentration of nearly open-admission campuses. Nationwide, only 21% of colleges admit 90% or more of their applicants. In California, 36% of colleges meet that high threshold. This means a student has a much higher chance of finding a local campus that accepts almost every applicant.

The ease of entry depends heavily on whether an applicant targets public or private institutions. The median acceptance rate in California is 91% at public colleges, compared to 68% at private colleges. This wide gap shows that the state's public systems, particularly the California State University campuses, prioritize broad access for undergraduate students.

### Where applicants face the lowest admission barriers

Six colleges on the state's qualifying list admit 90% or more of their applicants, providing reliable options for students building a balanced application list. DeVry University-California leads this group with a 99% acceptance rate, though it is the only private, for-profit institution among the top tier. The remaining highly accessible options are all public universities.

California Polytechnic State University-Humboldt and California State University-Stanislaus both admit 98% of applicants. Further down the list, California State University-Monterey Bay and California State University-East Bay each accept 97% of those who apply. San Francisco State University rounds out this group with a 96% acceptance rate.

For an in-state applicant, these high acceptance rates mean that a student with a standard high school diploma has a highly predictable path to a four-year degree. The high admission rates at these public campuses reflect their mission to serve regional populations.

### Balancing admission chances with graduation outcomes

A student choosing among these accessible campuses must look beyond the initial acceptance letter. While getting in is straightforward, finishing the degree requires careful planning. The high acceptance rates do not guarantee high graduation rates. For example, DeVry University-California admits 99% of applicants but has a 39% graduation rate. In contrast, California State University-Monterey Bay admits 97% of applicants and graduates 63% of its students.

An applicant should use these differences to evaluate the academic support systems at each campus. A public university with a high acceptance rate and a solid graduation rate, such as California State University-Monterey Bay, often represents a safer investment of time and tuition dollars.

Because the California State University system dominates this list, students can apply to multiple highly accessible campuses using a single portal, the Cal State Apply system. This streamlined process makes it easy to secure a backup option. A student can apply to a highly selective campus while using schools like California State University-Stanislaus or California State University-East Bay as reliable safety schools. This strategy ensures that an applicant will have multiple affordable, public options when financial aid packages arrive in the spring.

## Campus size variations among California's most accessible universities

A student looking at California's easiest colleges to get into will find massive differences in campus size. The state's 53 qualifying colleges split into distinct tiers by enrollment. CollegesRef data shows that 17 of these institutions enroll 20,000 or more students. Another 23 colleges fall into the medium range of 5,000 to 20,000 students, while 13 colleges operate with fewer than 5,000 students. On the high-acceptance list, this division shapes everything from housing availability to class sizes.

### Navigating the giant state campuses

The largest institutions on the list are massive public universities. California State University-Northridge CSUN leads the group with about 32,691 students and a 93% acceptance rate. California State University-Sacramento follows closely, enrolling about 28,350 students while admitting 94% of applicants. California State University-Fresno also exceeds the 20,000-student threshold, teaching about 21,605 students and maintaining a 95% acceptance rate.

For an applicant, these numbers mean abundant academic majors and extensive student resources, but they also require self-reliance. At a school like CSUN or Sacramento State, introductory lecture halls may hold hundreds of students. Navigating administrative offices, securing housing, and registering for required classes requires proactive planning. A student who thrives in a bustling, high-energy environment will find these campuses offer a traditional collegiate atmosphere alongside highly accessible admission standards.

### The smaller options on the accessible list

At the other end of the spectrum, several highly accessible California colleges offer a much tighter community. DeVry University-California is the smallest school on the list, enrolling about 2,378 students with a 99% acceptance rate. Among the public options, California State University-Channel Islands is the smallest with about 5,013 students and a 95% acceptance rate. Sonoma State University is only slightly larger, enrolling about 5,166 students while admitting 93% of applicants.

Choosing one of these smaller campuses changes the daily student experience. At California State University-Channel Islands or Sonoma State, a student is more likely to have smaller class sizes during their first two years. Professors, rather than graduate teaching assistants, typically lead these sessions. This environment can make it easier to secure letters of recommendation, find research opportunities, and get direct academic support.

For families building a balanced application list, matching a student's personality to campus size is just as important as comparing acceptance rates. A student who needs structured support and closer relationships with faculty may struggle at a giant campus like CSUN, even if the admission chances are nearly identical to Sonoma State. Conversely, a student seeking a vast alumni network and diverse student organizations will find the larger Cal State campuses more fitting. Because these schools all offer highly favorable admission rates, applicants can focus their decisions on which campus environment best supports their goal of finishing a degree.

## Building a balanced California application list from open-admission schools

Every single college on this 15-school list functions as a likely admit for an applicant. In California, the median acceptance rate across all qualifying institutions is 75%, which sits just below the 78% national median. For the schools on this specific list, acceptance rates start at 93% and climb to 99%. Because none of these 15 institutions have acceptance rates between 50% and 75%, or under 50%, you cannot use this specific group to populate the "possible" or "reach" categories of your college list. Instead, these schools serve as the foundation of your list, providing highly reliable options where admission is nearly certain.

### Sorting your California likely options by value and completion

A high acceptance rate guarantees access, but it does not guarantee graduation or affordability. When choosing which of these likely admits to add to your application list, you must look at the relationship between net price and graduation rates.

Two public universities on this list stand out by performing better than the group average on both metrics. California State University-Fresno charges an average net price of $5,418 and graduates 58% of its students within six years. Similarly, California State University-Northridge CSUN has an average net price of $6,346 and graduates 57% of its students. Both schools cost less than the list median and finish more students than the list median.

By contrast, DeVry University-California accepts 99% of applicants but graduates fewer than 40% of its students within six years, posting a 39% graduation rate. It also carries a high average net price of $36,531. Comparing these outcomes helps you avoid choosing a likely school that leaves you with high debt and low graduation prospects.

### Maximizing the in-state tuition advantage

Fourteen of the 15 colleges on this list are public institutions belonging to the California State University system or the California Polytechnic system. For a California resident, this concentration is a major financial advantage because you qualify for in-state tuition rates.

When you build your list, you can add multiple CSU campuses using a single Cal State Apply portal, which simplifies the process of securing multiple likely options. For example, you can apply to California State University-Stanislaus, which has a 98% acceptance rate and a 52% graduation rate, alongside California State University-East Bay, which has a 97% acceptance rate and a 49% graduation rate. Both schools keep costs low for residents, with Stanislaus posting an exceptionally low average net price of $3,565.

Adding regional public campuses like California State University-Monterey Bay, which has a 97% acceptance rate and a list-leading 63% graduation rate, or San Francisco State University, which has a 96% acceptance rate and a 50% graduation rate, gives you geographic variety across the state without forcing you to pay out-of-state tuition premiums. You can use California Polytechnic State University-Humboldt, with its 98% acceptance rate and 44% graduation rate, as a northern safety option. By focusing your likely list on these public campuses, you secure high-probability admission slots while keeping your potential four-year debt load within the federal Direct Loan limits.

## How this list was built

The 15 colleges here have the highest acceptance rates out of 53 published California institutions that enroll at least 2,000 students and report both an acceptance rate and a graduation rate. Another 119 California colleges of that size are left out because at least one figure is missing. Figures are unadjusted IPEDS and College Scorecard values ([definitions](https://www.collegesref.com/methodology#definitions), [inclusion rules](https://www.collegesref.com/methodology#inclusion)). National figures apply the same rules to 760 colleges. Four-year totals are one year's figure times four, and aid limits are 2026-27 studentaid.gov amounts.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the easiest college to get into in California?

DeVry University-California, a private for-profit college, has the highest acceptance rate among California colleges with at least 2,000 students, at 99%. Its 39% graduation rate, though, is below the list median of 53%.

### Is it easier to get into college in California than in other states?

On average, no. Qualifying California colleges have a median acceptance rate of 75%, 3 percentage points lower than the national median of 78%.

### Do colleges with high acceptance rates in California have low graduation rates?

Not in a consistent way. Graduation rates on the list have a median of 53% and do not rise or fall much with acceptance rate. California State University-Monterey Bay, ranked 4th, posts the list's best graduation rate at 63%.

### Are the easiest colleges in California public or private?

Mostly public: 14 of the 15 schools on this list are run by the state. The most accessible school overall is private, DeVry University-California (99%); the top public option is California Polytechnic State University-Humboldt (98%).

## Keep researching

- [Colleges in California](https://www.collegesref.com/state/california)
- [Most affordable colleges in California](https://www.collegesref.com/blog/most-affordable-colleges-in-california-by-net-price)
- [Net price gap by state](https://www.collegesref.com/data/net-price-gap-by-state)
- [How CollegesRef matches similar colleges](https://www.collegesref.com/methodology)

## Sources

- U.S. Department of Education, Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard
- U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid ([studentaid.gov](https://studentaid.gov/))

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Source: CollegesRef, https://www.collegesref.com/blog/easiest-colleges-to-get-into-in-california. When citing a figure, include the data year stated next to it.