California Public Universities & Colleges
Public universities and colleges are funded by local and state governments and usually offer lower tuition to state residents ("in-state" tuition); nonresidents pay "out-of-state" tuition. California's three public systems are the University of California (UC), California State University (CSU), and the California Community College (CCC) system.
University of California (UC)
A system of 10 campuses — Berkeley, Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, Merced, Riverside, San Diego, San Francisco (postgrad only), Santa Cruz, and Santa Barbara — plus five medical centers and three national laboratories. Undergraduate programs are open to eligible California high school graduates and community college transfer students. UC's missions are teaching, research, and public service, with research spanning hundreds of disciplines across its campuses and facilities statewide.
Requirements
- Application
- A-G coursework
- SAT or ACT (optional)
- Essays (personal insight questions)
- Minimum GPA 3.0
Almost all schools in this system accept applicants beyond the minimum requirements.
universityofcalifornia.edu →
California State University (CSU)
The nation's largest four-year public university, with 23 campuses and 8 off-campus centers. CSU supports scholarship, research, and creative and professional activity, offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in the liberal arts and sciences, applied fields, and the professions — open to eligible California high school graduates and community college transfers.
Requirements
- Application
- A-G coursework
- Minimum GPA 2.0
Almost all schools in this system accept applicants beyond the minimum requirements.
calstate.edu →
California Community Colleges
With more than 2.1 million students at 116 colleges, this is the largest system of higher education in the country. It provides workforce and vocational training, certificate and degree programs, and transfer preparation for 4-year institutions. Many students attend a 2-year community college to earn an Associate Degree, gain technical training, or complete general ed requirements before transferring for junior/senior year.
Requirements
Application only.
High school transcripts and placement tests determine appropriate class level (AP, SAT, or ACT results may give credit).
cccco.edu →