Best public colleges in California

A student filling out a scantron form in pencil.
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- Rohnert Park, CA
- #327 nationally
- Overall Niche Grade: B
- Acceptance rate: 94%
- Net price: $7,055
- SAT Range: 950-1150
#25. Sonoma State University
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- San Francisco, CA
- #315 nationally
- Overall Niche Grade: B
- Acceptance rate: 93%
- Net price: $13,641
- SAT Range: 930-1130
#24. San Francisco State University
College students working on computers at the student library.
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- Vallejo, CA
- #300 nationally
- Overall Niche Grade: B
- Acceptance rate: 82%
- Net price: $16,924
- SAT Range: 960-1190
#23. California State University - Maritime Academy
A college student meeting with a tutor at Student Services.
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- San Marcos, CA
- #295 nationally
- Overall Niche Grade: B
- Acceptance rate: 93%
- Net price: $14,296
- SAT Range: 950-1130
#22. California State University - San Marcos
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- Fresno, CA
- #274 nationally
- Overall Niche Grade: B
- Acceptance rate: 97%
- Net price: $6,336
- SAT Range: 890-1100
#21. California State University - Fresno
Two college students looking at a tablet outside a brick academic building.
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- Bakersfield, CA
- #270 nationally
- Overall Niche Grade: B
- Acceptance rate: 85%
- Net price: $7,368
- SAT Range: 790-1020
#20. California State University - Bakersfield
A college student completing a homework assignment.
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- San Bernardino, CA
- #256 nationally
- Overall Niche Grade: B
- Acceptance rate: 91%
- Net price: $3,254
- SAT Range: 910-1080
#19. California State University - San Bernardino
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- San Jose, CA
- #255 nationally
- Overall Niche Grade: B
- Acceptance rate: 84%
- Net price: $14,603
- SAT Range: 1010-1240
#18. San Jose State University
A full college lecture hall.
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- Pomona, CA
- #240 nationally
- Overall Niche Grade: B
- Acceptance rate: 61%
- Net price: $12,942
- SAT Range: 1010-1250
#17. California State Polytechnic University - Pomona
College notes surrounded by highlighters, pens, and coffee.
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- Camarillo, CA
- #236 nationally
- Overall Niche Grade: B
- Acceptance rate: 93%
- Net price: $14,493
- SAT Range: 850-1060
#16. California State University - Channel Islands
A stack of open textbooks.
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- Merced, CA
- #234 nationally
- Overall Niche Grade: B
- Acceptance rate: 87%
- Net price: $11,586
- SAT Range: 960-1140
#15. University of California - Merced
An empty college lecture hall.
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- Chico, CA
- #217 nationally
- Overall Niche Grade: B
- Acceptance rate: 85%
- Net price: $13,749
- SAT Range: 970-1170
#14. California State University - Chico
A closeup on three students' hands and their notebooks.
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- Northridge, CA
- #190 nationally
- Overall Niche Grade: B+
- Acceptance rate: 88%
- Net price: $8,708
- SAT Range: 900-1110
#13. California State University - Northridge
Two college students taking a test in a lecture hall.
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- Santa Cruz, CA
- #178 nationally
- Overall Niche Grade: B+
- Acceptance rate: 59%
- Net price: $19,615
- SAT Range: 1160-1360
#12. University of California - Santa Cruz
College students studying and laughing together.
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- Sacramento, CA
- #176 nationally
- Overall Niche Grade: B+
- Acceptance rate: 94%
- Net price: $7,778
- SAT Range: 930-1130
#11. California State University - Sacramento
A group of college students having a discussion under a tree on campus.
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- Turlock, CA
- #168 nationally
- Overall Niche Grade: B+
- Acceptance rate: 95%
- Net price: $7,230
- SAT Range: 810-1030
#10. California State University - Stanislaus
A student wearing a backpack holding two books as they walk to a college class.
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- Fullerton, CA
- #104 nationally
- Overall Niche Grade: B+
- Acceptance rate: 59%
- Net price: $4,939
- SAT Range: 1000-1180
#9. California State University - Fullerton
College students laughing and having fun at a tailgate party.
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- Riverside, CA
- #102 nationally
- Overall Niche Grade: B+
- Acceptance rate: 65%
- Net price: $13,502
- SAT Range: 1080-1280
#8. University of California - Riverside
Bookshelves forming a hallway in a college library.
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- San Diego, CA
- #61 nationally
- Overall Niche Grade: A-
- Acceptance rate: 38%
- Net price: $6,867
- SAT Range: 1090-1300
#7. San Diego State University
A student taking notes in a library.
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- San Luis Obispo, CA
- #58 nationally
- Overall Niche Grade: A-
- Acceptance rate: 33%
- Net price: $20,708
- SAT Range: 1240-1440
#6. California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) - San Luis Obispo
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- Long Beach, CA
- #51 nationally
- Overall Niche Grade: A
- Acceptance rate: 47%
- Net price: $9,171
- SAT Range: 1020-1240
#5. California State University - Long Beach
A college professor giving a lecture.
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- La Jolla, CA
- #17 nationally
- Overall Niche Grade: A+
- Acceptance rate: 34%
- Net price: $15,632
- SAT Range: Not Available
#4. University of California - San Diego
A group of college students working together on a group project in a library.
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- Irvine, CA
- #13 nationally
- Overall Niche Grade: A+
- Acceptance rate: 29%
- Net price: $11,633
- SAT Range: 1230-1430
#3. University of California - Irvine
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- Berkeley, CA
- #8 nationally
- Overall Niche Grade: A+
- Acceptance rate: 14%
- Net price: $17,652
- SAT Range: 1310-1530
#2. University of California - Berkeley
A group of college students working on their laptops.
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- Los Angeles, CA
- #1 nationally
- Overall Niche Grade: A+
- Acceptance rate: 11%
- Net price: $13,393
- SAT Range: Not available

This story features data reporting by Emma Rubin, writing by Jeff Inglis, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.

#1. University of California - Los Angeles
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