Why Study in California
Its warm weather, stretches of long, sandy beaches along the dazzling Pacific Ocean and its friendly residents make it an ideal destination for travellers and students.
Upon arrival, visitors quickly discover what makes California unique - blue skies, palm trees swaying in a gentle breeze, and miles of wide open freeways that flow through and connect all parts of the state. One is immediately surprised by the diverse landscape and amount of greenery and plant life, abundant even in large cities. Where else but in California can you surf at the beach and two hours later, snow ski or snow board in one of the nearby mountain ranges that line the coast?
While California has a reputation for its pop culture, relaxed atmosphere, and opportunities for sports and recreation year round due to its temperate climate, it is also one of the best destinations for serious students and people seeking business opportunities. With some of the best schools in the nation, one of the largest school systems in the world, and the 7th largest economy in the world, students can have the best of all worlds - superior quality programs in a virtual paradise and at a reasonable cost.
1 Stanford University
Stanford University is a private institution that was founded in 1885. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 7,063, its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 8,180 acres. It utilizes a quarter-based academic calendar. Stanford University's ranking in the 2014 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 5. Its tuition and fees are $43,245 (2013-14)
2 University of California, Berkeley
University of California--Berkeley is a public institution that was founded in 1868. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 25,774, its setting is urban, and the campus size is 1,232 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. University of California--Berkeley's ranking in the 2014 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 20. Its in-state tuition and fees are $12,864 (2013-14); out-of-state tuition and fees are $35,742 (2013-14)
3 University of California, Los Angeles
University of California--Los Angeles is a public institution that was founded in 1919. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 27,941, its setting is urban, and the campus size is 419 acres. It utilizes a quarter-based academic calendar. University of California--Los Angeles's ranking in the 2014 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 23. Its in-state tuition and fees are $12,696 (2013-14); out-of-state tuition and fees are $35,574 (2013-14).
4 University of California, San Diego
University of California--San Diego is a public institution that was founded in 1960. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 22,676, its setting is urban, and the campus size is 1,976 acres. It utilizes a quarter-based academic calendar. University of California--San Diego's ranking in the 2014 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 39. Its in-state tuition and fees are $13,234 (2012-13); out-of-state tuition and fees are $36,112 (2012-13)
5 University of Southern California
University of Southern California is a private institution that was founded in 1880. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 18,316, its setting is urban, and the campus size is 226 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. University of Southern California's ranking in the 2014 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 23. Its tuition and fees are $46,298 (2013-14).
6 University of California, Davis
University of California--Davis is a public institution that was founded in 1905. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 25,759, its setting is urban, and the campus size is 5,300 acres. It utilizes a quarter-based academic calendar. University of California--Davis's ranking in the 2014 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 39. Its in-state tuition and fees are $13,896 (2013-14); out-of-state tuition and fees are $36,774 (2013-14).
7 University of California, Irvine
University of California--Irvine is a public institution that was founded in 1965. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 22,216, its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 1,474 acres. It utilizes a quarter-based academic calendar. University of California--Irvine's ranking in the 2014 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 49. Its in-state tuition and fees are $14,688 (2013-14); out-of-state tuition and fees are $37,566 (2013-14).
8 California Institute of Technology
California Institute of Technology is a private institution that was founded in 1891. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 997, its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 124 acres. It utilizes a quarter-based academic calendar. California Institute of Technology's ranking in the 2014 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 10. Its tuition and fees are $41,538 (2013-14).
9 University of California, Santa Barbara
University of California--Santa Barbara is a public institution that was founded in 1909. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 18,977, its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 989 acres. It utilizes a quarter-based academic calendar. University of California--Santa Barbara's ranking in the 2014 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 41. Its in-state tuition and fees are $13,746 (2013-14); out-of-state tuition and fees are $36,624 (2013-14).
10 University of California, San Francisco
University of San Francisco is a private institution that was founded in 1855. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 6,344, its setting is urban, and the campus size is 55 acres. It utilizes a 4-1-4-based academic calendar. University of San Francisco's ranking in the 2014 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 117. Its tuition and fees are $40,294 (2013-14).
