Best Online Colleges in California
California has the largest higher education network of any U.S. state, creating a wealth of pathways for you to pursue virtually any academic interest. Accredited online colleges in California add convenience and flexibility, giving you more control over your study schedule and creating opportunities if you live outside the Golden State.
This guide profiles California’s online higher education landscape. Learn about typical tuition rates, the state’s job market, popular destinations for graduates, and more.
California at a Glance
- There are 220 nonprofit four-year institutions in California.
- About 38% of adults in the state hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.
- In fall 2023, 55.6% of students at California institutions were enrolled in online courses.
- In fall 2023, there were over 900,000 students aged 25 and over enrolled at California colleges.
Best Online Schools in California
San Diego State University
- San Diego, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
At San Diego State University, you can choose from over a dozen online bachelor's and master's programs. The school's first-to-second-year retention rate of 89% exceeds the national average, as does its 78% graduation rate. Further, 89% of undergraduate students received grant or scholarship aid in the 2022-2023 school year.
Highlights
- Offers a varied lineup of popular, practical majors
- Utilizes a seven-step process to ensure the academic rigor of its online programs matches that of its on-campus programs
- Has a wide selection of online courses, many of which are self-paced
Know Before You Apply
- Some online programs are degree completion programs that require 60 transferable credits from another school.
- The school admitted only 34% of applicants in fall 2023.
Programmatic Accreditation
- Association for the Advancement of Collegiate Schools of Business
- Council on Education for Public Health
- Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
- Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration
56%
$ 5,742
90%
$17,622
- Acceptance Rate
- 34%
- Students Enrolled
- 36,637
- Institution Type
- Public
Humphreys University
- Stockton, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
Affordable and accessible, Humphreys University maintains an open admission policy and offers a low average net price of just $7,108 as of the 2022-2023 school year. The school offers its entire lineup of programs in fully online formats.
Highlights
- Focuses on practical, career-oriented programs in business, education, law, and more
- Operates on an efficient quarter system, helping you make rapid academic progress
- Allows you to apply at any time during the year
Know Before You Apply
- Humphreys has just nine full-time faculty members.
- Among undergraduates, 82% are female, but just 33% of full-time, first-time female students go on to graduate.
87%
$14,760
100%
$14,760
- Acceptance Rate
- N/A
- Students Enrolled
- 393
- Institution Type
- Private
National University
- San Diego, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
National University offers more than 45 fully online programs at all levels, including associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees, as well as certificates. An open admission policy offers excellent accessibility, and National's four-week course structure supports fast advancement toward graduation.
Highlights
- Offers online degree and certificate programs in business, education, healthcare, law, psychology, STEM fields, and more
- Supplies guidance to students through personal academic advisors
- Utilizes year-round enrollment and monthly program start dates to fit into your busy schedule
Know Before You Apply
- Only 26% of part-time, first-time bachelor's students return for their second year.
- The school's average net price for undergraduates nearly tripled between the 2020-2021 and 2022-2023 school years.
Programmatic Accreditation
- ABET
- Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
- Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation
- Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Council on Education for Public Health
- Council on Social Work Education
- International Accreditation Council for Business Education
67%
$13,320
64%
$13,320
- Acceptance Rate
- 55%
- Students Enrolled
- 18,631
- Institution Type
- Private
University of La Verne
- La Verne, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
An officially designated Hispanic-serving institution, the University of La Verne offers 13 online bachelor's degree completion and master's degree programs. The school reports strong first-to-second-year retention rates among full-time and part-time students. The learning community's multiracial and female students fare particularly well, with six-year graduation rates of 81% and 71%, respectively.
Highlights
- Offers inclusive admission policies for first-time undergraduates, adult learners, and transfer students
- Connects students one-on-one with academic advisors in person, by phone, or online
- Boasts one of the most diverse student bodies in the U.S.
Know Before You Apply
- Students with a household income of $30,001-$75,000 pay more than double the average net price of learners from lower-income households.
- Some online programs are only available to California residents.
Programmatic Accreditation
- Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration
59%
$45,850
77%
$45,850
- Acceptance Rate
- 75%
- Students Enrolled
- 4,171
- Institution Type
- Private
Los Angeles Pacific University
- Los Angeles, CA
- 4 year
- Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
A fully online institution, Los Angeles Pacific University delivers accredited, affordable education by eliminating overhead costs. The university offers more than 20 relevant and practical associate, bachelor's, and master's programs.
Highlights
- Uses a unique practitioner model, requiring instructors to have professional experience in addition to academic credentials
- Assigns each student a personal success coach who provides close support until graduation
- Allows students to finish their degree programs up to 50% faster than traditional universities
Know Before You Apply
- LAPU delivers curricula from a Christian worldview.
- The school's overall graduation rate is 33%.
- First-to-second-year retention rates for full-time and part-time bachelor's students are 25% and 20%, respectively.
N/A
$11,400
25%
$11,400
- Acceptance Rate
- N/A
- Students Enrolled
- 1,895
- Institution Type
- Private
Who Accredits Online Colleges in California?
Accreditation ensures your online college provides a high-quality education. When a college holds institutional accreditation, it means a third-party agency has vetted the school for its standards of excellence.
Accreditation signals to employers that your online education is just as rigorous and legitimate as an on-campus program. You’ll also need an accredited degree when applying for certain professional licenses and federal financial aid.
In California, the primary institutional accreditors are the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges and the WASC Senior College and University Commission, which were known as regional accreditors until 2020. However, your school may have received accreditation from another agency recognized by the Department of Education.
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How Much Does College Cost in California?
Tuition rates are highly variable in California. The state’s public undergraduate institutions charge rates far below the national average, but private education is significantly more expensive — especially for graduate students.
Financial aid can make it easier to meet your costs, especially if that aid comes in non-repayable forms like scholarships or grants. Many online colleges in California offer in-house aid programs, but the state’s government also provides options. These include:
- The need-based Cal Grant Award program
- The Middle Class Scholarship program for students attending a University of California (UC), a California State University (CSU), or a bachelor’s degree program at a California Community College
- The California College Promise Grant program, which offers tuition waivers for eligible students at select institutions
You can learn more by exploring the California Student Aid Commission’s financial aid portal.
Career Opportunities in California
$56,940
Median annual wage in CA (May 2024)
+8.9%
Projected job growth in CA (2022-2032)
5.5%
Unemployment rate in CA (August 2025)
In California, workers earn relatively high pay: The state’s annual median wage of $56,940 exceeds the national average of $49,500 by 15%. California also has a strong job growth forecast.
Some of California’s fastest-growing career paths that require only a bachelor’s degree include medical and health services manager, data scientist, and information security analyst.
Popular Cities for Recent Grads
Los Angeles
- Los Angeles hosts a labor force of about 5.13 million people.
- It is known for being home to the U.S. entertainment industry and hosts a highly diverse population.
- Fast-growing jobs in Los Angeles include advanced-practice registered nurses, physician assistants, physical therapy assistants, medical and health services managers, and statisticians.
San Francisco Bay Area
- The San Francisco Bay Area includes the cities of San Francisco, San Jose, Berkeley, and Oakland.
- It is known for hosting Silicon Valley, the epicenter of the U.S. tech industry.
- Wages are relatively high, but so is the cost of living.
San Diego
- Commonly called “America’s Finest City.”
- It is known for its biotechnology, life sciences, international shipping, and military industries.
- Social workers, lab technicians, cost estimators, and teachers rank among the city’s fastest-growing jobs that require a bachelor’s degree and pay a median salary of at least $50,000.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are over 500 colleges and universities in California. It is the most populous state in the U.S., the third-largest state by area, and is home to many prestigious schools.
