Best private colleges in California

A group of college students having a discussion under a tree on campus.
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- Location: Claremont, CA
- Acceptance rate: 18%
- Net price: $19,153
- SAT range: 1300-1450
- Niche grade:  A
#10. Pitzer College
A student wearing a backpack holding two books as they walk to a college class.
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- Location: San Diego, CA
- Acceptance rate: 53%
- Net price: $34,155
- SAT range: 1190-1370
- Niche grade:  A
#9. University of San Diego
College students laughing and having fun at a tailgate party.
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- Location: Los Angeles, CA
- Acceptance rate: 38%
- Net price: $43,047
- SAT range: 1340-1490
- Niche grade:  A
#8. Occidental College
Bookshelves forming a hallway in a college library.
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- Location: La Jolla, CA
- Acceptance rate: 55%
- Net price: $9,966
- SAT range: 750-1170
- Niche grade:  A
#7. National University
A student taking notes in a library.
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- Location: Los Angeles, CA
- Acceptance rate: 13%
- Net price: $26,021
- SAT range: 1410-1540
- Niche grade:  A+
#6. University of Southern California
An empty college dorm room with bunkbeds.
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- Location: Claremont, CA
- Acceptance rate: 11%
- Net price: $21,663
- SAT range: 1420-1530
- Niche grade:  A+
#5. Claremont McKenna College
A college professor giving a lecture.
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- Location: Claremont, CA
- Acceptance rate: 7%
- Net price: $17,000
- SAT range: 1470-1570
- Niche grade:  A+
#4. Pomona College
A group of college students working together on a group project in a library.
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- Location: Pasadena, CA
- Acceptance rate: 4%
- Net price: $30,162
- SAT range: 1530-1580
- Niche grade:  A+
#3. California Institute of Technology
An empty college classroom.
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- Location: Claremont, CA
- Acceptance rate: 10%
- Net price: $33,838
- SAT range: 1480-1560
- Niche grade:  A+
#2. Harvey Mudd College
A group of college students working on their laptops.
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- Location: Stanford, CA
- Acceptance rate: 4%
- Net price: $14,402
- SAT range: 1470-1570
- Niche grade:  A+

This story features data reporting and writing by Emma Rubin, additional writing by Lauren Liebhaber, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 46 states.

#1. Stanford University
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