The Best Colleges in California

California is known for its sun, its beaches and its laid back lifestyle. However, California is also home to many excellent colleges and universities. If you are planning to attend a top-rated school, then a college in California may be right for you. While not cheap-the average tuition and room and board for each of these schools is approximately $42,000-students consistently report positive experiences. The following is a list of eight California colleges that consistently receive high marks for their academic rigor, superior facilities, and proximity to vibrant communities.

Stanford University

One of the premier universities in the world, Stanford University is located in Stanford, California about 45 minutes outside of San Francisco. Highly selective, the school accepted just ten percent of its approximately 23,000 applicants and has a total undergraduate population of just over 6,500 students.

Stanford is known for its rigorous academics and research in a many fields. The most popular undergraduate majors are biology or human biology, economics, political science, psychology and English. Stanford students are also afforded the opportunity to participate in first-hand research and knowledge creation. Honors programs are available to students who wish to pursue their own research. Working with a faculty advisor, students write a senior thesis as a culmination.

Approximately 6,100 undergraduate students live on campus at Stanford. Campus housing is guaranteed all four years, and about 95% of students take advantage of this. There are 78 residence facilities on campus, catering to diverse interests. First year students are housed in residences that are staffed by faculty or staff.

Aside from Stanford’s state-of-the-art academic facilities, students can make use the school’s modern athletic facilities. Stanford boasts top-notch intercollegiate athletic teams as well as an extensive intramural athletic program. Cultural opportunities abound, with Stanford regularly hosting the prestigious lecturers, performers and artists. Travel around Stanford is convenient with the use of their bus system as well as a myriad of bike paths.

To learn more about Stanford University, visit their website at http://www.stanford.edu

California Institute of Technology

Located on 124 acres in Pasadena, 20 minutes outside of downtown Los Angeles, California Institute of Technology is one of the premier science colleges in the United States. It is the academic home of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Small and selective, Caltech accepts approximately 17 percent of its applicants and has a total undergraduate population of 850.

While Caltech is widely known for its superior science, mathematics and engineering programs, the school also offers academic concentrations in the humanities and social sciences. The most popular majors at Caltech are Biology, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Math.

Although Caltech students are very academic-minded, there are many opportunities for having fun. Over 100 clubs on campus offer students a wide variety of activities in which to participate. Caltech has a well-developed music and theater program. There are also intercollegiate as well as intramural athletic programs.

Much of the school’s social life focuses around the unique student housing where student eat, socialize, learn and live together. Students are guaranteed housing for four years in one of eight campus houses. While students are not required to live on campus after the first year, over 80% choose to remain in their campus house over the course of their four years at Caltech.

Learn more about one of the best science colleges in California. Visit California Institute of Technology’s website at www.caltech.edu.

Pomona College

Pomona College is located on 140 lush acres in the suburban town of Claremont, California, approximately 35 miles east of Los Angeles. Pomona has consistently ranked in the top ten liberal arts schools in the nation as chosen by U.S. News and World Report. This school of approximately 1,520 undergraduate students is a member of The Claremont College consortium, a group of seven nearby colleges and universities, which affords students the opportunity to share resources and take classes at other member schools.

Pomona College boasts small class sizes that average about 14 students. All classes and laboratories are taught by professors. Pomona offers 45 majors across the natural sciences, humanities and the social sciences. Also common are interdisciplinary majors and special majors that are created under the guidance of professors.

The vast majority of students reside on campus in the school’s 12 residence halls. All of the schools academic, athletic and performing art facilities are state-of-the art and house the most up-to-date technology. In these buildings, students will find opportunities to attend enriching art exhibits and concerts. They may participate interscholastic, intramural or club athletic teams at a variety of levels or exercise in Pomona’s extensive fitness room. Students have access to resources in four libraries through The Claremont College consortium and have high-speed internet access throughout the campus.

To learn more about Pomona College and see if it is the best college in California for you, visit www.pomona.edu.

Claremont McKennna College

Another highly selective college that is also located in the quiet suburban community of Claremont, California is Claremont McKenna College. This small school of 1,135 students was 11^th top ranked liberal arts school in U.S. News and World Report, and the second best rated college in California.Claremont McKenna College sits on 30 acres and is a member of The Claremont Colleges consortium, which affords students increased access to facilities, resources, cultural events and classes.

Claremont McKenna is known for its small classes, which average about 16 students. It also has a highly diverse student population. The school is respected for its strong research institute component, a unique opportunity for undergraduate liberal arts students. Working with professors, Claremont McKenna students gain real-world experience solving problems while being a member of one of its eleven research institutes. These institutes focus on a variety of issues from genocide and holocaust to environmental research to applied statistics.

Students at Claremont McKenna reside in twelve dormitories on campus. All students are guaranteed housing, and 95% live on campus. Students enjoy socializing at the many undergraduate student gathering spots throughout the Claremont region. This gives students ample opportunity to meet students from other colleges and universities. Given the school’s excellent athletic facilities, students are also welcomed to participate in athletics on many levels.

To find out more about Claremont McKenna College, visit their website at www.claremontmckenna.edu.

University of California Berkeley

Rated the best public university in the country, University of California Berkeley is located 15 miles outside of San Francisco in the vibrant community of Berkeley, California. This highly-selective university has a diverse undergraduate student population of approximately 23, 850 students.

Because UC Berkeley is a large public university, students have opportunities to explore many academic offerings. There are over 7,000 courses and nearly 300 degree programs. The most popular majors for undergraduate students are Computer Engineering, English, and Political Science.

Because UC Berkeley’s student population is so diverse, cultural opportunities seem endless. Because of its size, the university regularly attracts world-famous performers. For those who enjoy museum visits, UC Berkeley boasts several museums, which are located on its campus. As with many large universities, athletic and fitness opportunities abound, as do opportunities to become involved in clubs.

UC Berkeley is guaranteed to all students who enroll in the fall semester. Housing is guaranteed for two years. There are four resident hall complexes. Students also have the option of living in special themed-interest housing. And when dining at UC Berkeley, the possibilities are endless.

To learn more about University of California Berkeley, visit their website at www.berkeley.edu.

Harvey Mudd College

Founded in 1955, Harvey Mudd College was ranked the best college offering bachelor’s or master’s degrees in engineering by U.S. News and World Report. It also ranked it the 15^th best college in America in 2008. Located in the tree-lined street suburban community of Claremont, California, Harvey Mudd College is a member of The Claremont College consortium.

Harvey Mudd has some of the strongest academic programs in science, math and engineering in the country. However, it also boasts a strong liberal arts program. All science, engineering and math majors are required to take core courses in the humanities and social sciences, an important component of the Harvey Mudd College academic experience. Students are also given the opportunity to participate in first-hand research under the direction of renowned professors.

This highly selective school has a population of 735 students, of whom 67% are male. Eight dormitories provide 99% of the students with housing. The 33 acre campus is anchored by centrally located dining facilities and a campus center. Students are welcomed to get involved in clubs, student athletics or the wide variety of music opportunities.

If Harvey Mudd College seems like the best college in California for you, visit their website at www.hmc.edu.

University of California Los Angeles

The University of California Los Angeles is one of California’s leading research universities. Located five miles from the Pacific Ocean and just few minutes from Los Angeles’ Downtown business district, UCLA sits on 419 acres. Boasting a student population from all 50 states and 100 countries, UCLA’s student population is diverse and vibrant. Their total undergraduate student enrollment is approximately 26,000.

UCLA offers over 125 undergraduate degree majors. Many of these programs, such as the film program, are recognized as some of the best in the nation. Students have access to cutting-edge technology as well as a highly-respected research library system. Students’ favorite majors at UCLA are Psychology, Political Science, Business and Economics.

Student housing is guaranteed to all UCLA students during their first two years. The school maintains many traditional residence halls as well as apartment-style dwellings.

Students can get involved in many clubs and organizations at UCLA. There are over 600 clubs and organizations. Undergraduates also have the opportunity to visit the university’s museums or catch a movie in the theater. Of course, Los Angeles is always at your doorstep. UCLA is a member of the PAC-10 athletic conference and has a number of strong athletic teams.

Visit www.ucla.edu to find out more about the University of California Los Angeles.

Scripps College

Yet another college located in the vibrant community of Claremont, California, Scripps College is a small liberal arts women’s college. Ranked as the 28th best liberal arts college in U.S News and World Report, Scripps offers its 888 students academically rigorous coursework in small individualized settings.

As a member of The Claremont College consortium students at Scripps benefit from the opportunity to take classes at the other member colleges as well as use their facilities and libraries. Central to Scripps curriculum are a series of core courses that are required for graduation. The most popular majors are Psychology, Politics and International Relations, English, Studio Art and Biology.

Scripps College sits on a 30-acre campus, 30 minutes east of Los Angeles. The campus has 17 academic and administrative buildings and nine residence halls and one senior apartment complex. The school currently has an athletic complex that houses a pool and exercise room. A new state-of the-art athletic complex will be completed in 2008.

Scripps college students can participate in a number of athletic teams. There are also a number of college sponsored clubs and organizations. Getting involved in cross-college activities through The Claremont College consortium is also encouraged.

To learn more about Scripps College, the premier women’s college in California, go to www.scrippscollege.edu.