Colleges where Pell Grant students thrive in California
Colleges where at least a third of students receive federal Pell Grants, ranked by graduation rate.
21 schools qualify, ranked by graduation rate.
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).
- At least a third of undergraduates receive Pell Grants, and the college has a graduation rate from federal data (College Scorecard).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by graduation rate, highest first.
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
- 97% graduate
- 73% receive Pell Grants
- 2
Angeles College
Los Angeles, CA · Private for-profitTop 4% for graduation
- 93% graduate
- 48% receive Pell Grants
- 3
Career Networks Institute
Santa Ana, CA · Private for-profitTop 5% for graduation
- 89% graduate
- 52% receive Pell Grants
- 4
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, CA · PublicHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A
- 87% graduate
- 36% receive Pell Grants
- 5
University of California-San Diego
La Jolla, CA · PublicHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A
- 86% graduate
- 34% receive Pell Grants
- 6
University of California-Riverside
Riverside, CA · PublicTop 13% for graduation
- 76% graduate
- 47% receive Pell Grants
- 7
University of the Pacific
Stockton, CA · Private nonprofitTop 9% for earnings
- 69% graduate
- 36% receive Pell Grants
- 8
California State University-Long Beach
Long Beach, CA · PublicExcellent: Compass grade A-
- 69% graduate
- 50% receive Pell Grants
- 9
University of California-Merced
Merced, CA · PublicTop 20% for earnings
- 69% graduate
- 59% receive Pell Grants
- 10
PCI College
Cerritos, CA · Private for-profitExcellent: Compass grade A-
- 68% graduate
- 70% receive Pell Grants
- 11
University of Redlands
Redlands, CA · Private nonprofitTop 12% for earnings
- 67% graduate
- 36% receive Pell Grants
- 12
Otis College of Art and Design
Los Angeles, CA · Private nonprofitVery good: Compass grade B+
- 66% graduate
- 34% receive Pell Grants
- 13
Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, CA · Private nonprofitTop 18% for earnings
- 62% graduate
- 35% receive Pell Grants
- 14
Humphreys University-Stockton and Modesto Campuses
Stockton, CA · Private nonprofitTop 5% for low net price
- 62% graduate
- 52% receive Pell Grants
- 15Tie
West Coast University-Orange County
Anaheim, CA · Private for-profitTop 2% for earnings
- 60% graduate
- 41% receive Pell Grants
- 15Tie
Woodbury University
Burbank, CA · Private nonprofitTop 19% for earnings
- 60% graduate
- 46% receive Pell Grants
- 17
Whittier College
Whittier, CA · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B-
- 60% graduate
- 34% receive Pell Grants
- 18
La Sierra University
Riverside, CA · Private nonprofitTop 25% for earnings
- 60% graduate
- 47% receive Pell Grants
- 19
Pacific Union College
Angwin, CA · Private nonprofitTop 14% for earnings
- 58% graduate
- 34% receive Pell Grants
- 20
Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA · Private nonprofitTop 13% for earnings
- 53% graduate
- 57% receive Pell Grants
- 21
American University of Health Sciences
Signal Hill, CA · Private for-profitTop 3% for earnings
- 50% graduate
- 46% receive Pell Grants
Compare cost and outcomes
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.