Colleges with the best earnings for the price in California

Colleges ranked by what former students earn ten years after enrolling, compared with four years of net price.

Colleges with the best earnings for the price in California62 schools

62 schools qualify, ranked by earnings for the price. The top 25 are shown.

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).
Has median earnings ten years after enrolling and a net price from federal data (College Scorecard).
Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
Ordered by earnings divided by four years of net price, highest first.

Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.

1
Stanford University
Stanford, CA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll
Exceptional: Compass grade A+
- Earnings are 2.2× the four-year net price
- Earnings $124,080 ten years out
2
California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, CA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll
#1 in California
- Earnings are 2.0× the four-year net price
- Earnings $128,566 ten years out
3
Humphreys University-Stockton and Modesto Campuses
Stockton, CA · Private nonprofit
Top 5% for low net price
- Earnings are 1.8× the four-year net price
- Earnings $39,248 ten years out
4
University of California-Berkeley
Berkeley, CA · PublicHonor Roll
Exceptional: Compass grade A+
- Earnings are 1.7× the four-year net price
- Earnings $92,446 ten years out
4
University of California-San Diego
La Jolla, CA · PublicHonor Roll
Exceptional: Compass grade A
- Earnings are 1.7× the four-year net price
- Earnings $84,943 ten years out
6
University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA · PublicHonor Roll
Exceptional: Compass grade A
- Earnings are 1.6× the four-year net price
- Earnings $82,511 ten years out
7
California State University-Long Beach
Long Beach, CA · Public
Excellent: Compass grade A-
- Earnings are 1.5× the four-year net price
- Earnings $64,403 ten years out
8
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, CA · PublicHonor Roll
Exceptional: Compass grade A
- Earnings are 1.4× the four-year net price
- Earnings $80,735 ten years out
8
University of California-Davis
Davis, CA · PublicHonor Roll
Top 7% for graduation
- Earnings are 1.4× the four-year net price
- Earnings $80,838 ten years out
8
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA · PublicHonor Roll
Top 4% for earnings
- Earnings are 1.4× the four-year net price
- Earnings $90,768 ten years out
11
University of California-Merced
Merced, CA · Public
Top 20% for earnings
- Earnings are 1.3× the four-year net price
- Earnings $64,368 ten years out
12
University of California-Riverside
Riverside, CA · Public
Top 13% for graduation
- Earnings are 1.2× the four-year net price
- Earnings $67,699 ten years out
12
University of California-Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA · PublicHonor Roll
Exceptional: Compass grade A
- Earnings are 1.2× the four-year net price
- Earnings $74,915 ten years out
12
California State University Maritime Academy
Vallejo, CA · Public
Top 3% for earnings
- Earnings are 1.2× the four-year net price
- Earnings $94,784 ten years out
15
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA · PublicHonor Roll
Exceptional: Compass grade A
- Earnings are 1.1× the four-year net price
- Earnings $64,909 ten years out
16
Pomona College
Claremont, CA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll
Exceptional: Compass grade A+
- Earnings are 1.0× the four-year net price
- Earnings $77,779 ten years out
16
Harvey Mudd College
Claremont, CA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll
Top 1% for earnings
- Earnings are 1.0× the four-year net price
- Earnings $138,687 ten years out
16
University of California-Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA · Public
Top 14% for graduation
- Earnings are 1.0× the four-year net price
- Earnings $68,396 ten years out
19
Claremont McKenna College
Claremont, CA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll
Exceptional: Compass grade A+
- Earnings are 0.9× the four-year net price
- Earnings $104,736 ten years out
20
Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA · Private nonprofit
Top 13% for earnings
- Earnings are 0.8× the four-year net price
- Earnings $72,379 ten years out
20
West Coast University-Orange County
Anaheim, CA · Private for-profit
Top 2% for earnings
- Earnings are 0.8× the four-year net price
- Earnings $102,672 ten years out
20
University of the Pacific
Stockton, CA · Private nonprofit
Top 9% for earnings
- Earnings are 0.8× the four-year net price
- Earnings $78,445 ten years out
20
Soka University of America
Aliso Viejo, CA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll
Top 4% for graduation
- Earnings are 0.8× the four-year net price
- Earnings $55,017 ten years out
20
Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, CA · Private nonprofit
Top 18% for earnings
- Earnings are 0.8× the four-year net price
- Earnings $66,677 ten years out
25
University of San Diego
San Diego, CA · Private nonprofit
Top 6% for earnings
- Earnings are 0.7× the four-year net price
- Earnings $86,522 ten years out

Compare cost and outcomes

School	Net price a year	Median debt	Earnings 10 years out	Graduation rate
Stanford University	$13,807	$12,000	$124,080	92%
California Institute of Technology	$16,075	—	$128,566	94%
Humphreys University-Stockton and Modesto Campuses	$5,524	$35,500	$39,248	62%
University of California-Berkeley	$13,481	$13,000	$92,446	93%
University of California-San Diego	$12,470	$15,500	$84,943	86%
University of California-Los Angeles	$12,548	$14,000	$82,511	93%
California State University-Long Beach	$10,440	$14,289	$64,403	69%
University of California-Irvine	$14,251	$15,000	$80,735	87%
University of California-Davis	$14,741	$13,000	$80,838	86%
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo	$16,665	$18,500	$90,768	86%
University of California-Merced	$11,983	$16,144	$64,368	69%
University of California-Riverside	$14,304	$17,500	$67,699	76%
University of California-Santa Barbara	$16,109	$13,993	$74,915	83%
California State University Maritime Academy	$20,555	$24,965	$94,784	60%
San Diego State University	$15,364	$15,000	$64,909	76%
Pomona College	$19,285	$11,782	$77,779	93%
Harvey Mudd College	$35,924	$25,000	$138,687	92%
University of California-Santa Cruz	$17,890	$16,666	$68,396	75%
Claremont McKenna College	$28,849	$13,500	$104,736	91%
Mount Saint Mary's University	$21,413	$25,949	$72,379	53%
West Coast University-Orange County	$32,879	$32,946	$102,672	60%
University of the Pacific	$25,447	$19,500	$78,445	69%
Soka University of America	$18,260	$15,650	$55,017	92%
Azusa Pacific University	$22,212	$23,219	$66,677	62%
University of San Diego	$30,365	$22,940	$86,522	84%

Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.

The national list → · All top school lists →

Colleges with the best earnings for the price in California

How this list is made

Stanford University

California Institute of Technology

Humphreys University-Stockton and Modesto Campuses

University of California-Berkeley

University of California-San Diego

University of California-Los Angeles

California State University-Long Beach

University of California-Irvine

University of California-Davis

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

University of California-Merced

University of California-Riverside

University of California-Santa Barbara

California State University Maritime Academy

San Diego State University

Pomona College

Harvey Mudd College

University of California-Santa Cruz

Claremont McKenna College

Mount Saint Mary's University

West Coast University-Orange County

University of the Pacific

Soka University of America

Azusa Pacific University

University of San Diego

Compare cost and outcomes

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