Best online colleges in California
Colleges where at least half of students study entirely online, ranked by Compass Score.
Best online colleges in California12 schools
12 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Schools in California.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- At least half of students enrolled only in distance education (federal data).
- 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
InterCoast Colleges-West Covina
West Covina, CA · Private for-profitTop 2% for graduation
- Mostly online students
- 97% graduate
- 2
Humphreys University-Stockton and Modesto Campuses
Stockton, CA · Private nonprofitTop 5% for low net price
- Mostly online students
- 62% graduate
- 3
The Chicago School at Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B-
- Mostly online students
- 0% graduate
- 4
Feather River Community College District
Quincy, CA · PublicTop 9% for low debt
- Mostly online students
- 35% graduate
- 5
National University
San Diego, CA · Private nonprofitTop 17% for earnings
- Mostly online students
- 43% graduate
- 6
Touro University Worldwide
Los Alamitos, CA · Private nonprofitSolid: Compass grade C+
- Mostly online students
- 29% graduate
- 7
University of Massachusetts Global
Aliso Viejo, CA · PublicTop 19% for earnings
- Mostly online students
- 43% graduate
- 8
Academy of Art University
San Francisco, CA · Private for-profitSolid: Compass grade C+
- Mostly online students
- 34% graduate
- 9
Fremont University
Cerritos, CA · Private for-profit#124 in California
- Mostly online students
- 39% graduate
- 10
Ashford University
San Diego, CA · Private for-profit#126 in California
- Mostly online students
- 11% graduate
- 11
Los Angeles Film School
Hollywood, CA · Private for-profit#127 in California
- Mostly online students
- 41% graduate
- 12
DeVry University-California
Ontario, CA · Private for-profit#128 in California
- Mostly online students
- 22% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| InterCoast Colleges-West Covina | About $28,000 | $10,313 | $36,089 | 97% |
| Humphreys University-Stockton and Modesto Campuses | About $6,000 | $35,500 | $39,248 | 62% |
| The Chicago School at Los Angeles | — | $20,000 | $56,899 | 0% |
| Feather River Community College District | About $11,000 | $10,750 | $38,142 | 35% |
| National University | About $23,000 | $25,000 | $67,548 | 43% |
| Touro University Worldwide | About $19,000 | $25,000 | $40,803 | 29% |
| University of Massachusetts Global | About $33,000 | $24,276 | $65,703 | 43% |
| Academy of Art University | About $41,000 | $31,000 | $39,008 | 34% |
| Fremont University | About $34,000 | $20,000 | $39,003 | 39% |
| Ashford University | About $31,000 | $31,250 | $35,404 | 11% |
| Los Angeles Film School | About $31,000 | $25,250 | $31,632 | 41% |
| DeVry University-California | About $34,000 | $24,807 | $45,987 | 22% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.