Best colleges under $20,000 a year in California
The highest-rated colleges whose average yearly price after grants is under $20,000.
Best colleges under $20,000 a year in California17 schools
17 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Schools in California.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Academic Excellence grade B+ or better (the top 35% of rated colleges).
- Net price (average yearly cost after grants) under $20,000 from federal data (College Scorecard).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by Compass Score, highest first. Schools with the same score share a rank.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, CA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll#1 in California
- Net price $16,075 a year
- 94% graduate
- 2
Stanford University
Stanford, CA · Private nonprofitHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A+
- Net price $13,807 a year
- 92% graduate
- 3
Pomona College
Claremont, CA · Private nonprofitHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A+
- Net price $19,285 a year
- 93% graduate
- 4
University of California-Berkeley
Berkeley, CA · PublicHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A+
- Net price $13,481 a year
- 93% graduate
- 5
University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA · PublicHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A
- Net price $12,548 a year
- 93% graduate
- 6
University of California-San Diego
La Jolla, CA · PublicHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A
- Net price $12,470 a year
- 86% graduate
- 7
Soka University of America
Aliso Viejo, CA · Private nonprofitHonor RollTop 4% for graduation
- Net price $18,260 a year
- 92% graduate
- 8
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, CA · PublicHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A
- Net price $14,251 a year
- 87% graduate
- 9
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA · PublicHonor RollTop 4% for earnings
- Net price $16,665 a year
- 86% graduate
- 10
University of California-Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA · PublicHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A
- Net price $16,109 a year
- 83% graduate
- 11
University of California-Davis
Davis, CA · PublicHonor RollTop 7% for graduation
- Net price $14,741 a year
- 86% graduate
- 12
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA · PublicHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A
- Net price $15,364 a year
- 76% graduate
- 13
California State University-Long Beach
Long Beach, CA · PublicExcellent: Compass grade A-
- Net price $10,440 a year
- 69% graduate
- 14
Humphreys University-Stockton and Modesto Campuses
Stockton, CA · Private nonprofitTop 5% for low net price
- Net price $5,524 a year
- 62% graduate
- 15
University of California-Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA · PublicTop 14% for graduation
- Net price $17,890 a year
- 75% graduate
- 16
University of California-Riverside
Riverside, CA · PublicTop 13% for graduation
- Net price $14,304 a year
- 76% graduate
- 17
University of California-Merced
Merced, CA · PublicTop 20% for earnings
- Net price $11,983 a year
- 69% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.