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California Graduate Schools

#1 Most Popular State/Terr. for Grad Students
213 Colleges
$81,299 Avg 4-Year Tuition (In-State)

California ranked #1 in the nation for graduate degrees with 112,488 students receiving a diploma in 2021. Although cost varies from school to school, the average graduate in-state tuition for the state is $20,325 per year, while out-of-state students pay an average of $22,271 per year.

Learn more about the most popular graduate schools in the state below:

#1

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
$64,666 Yearly Tuition (In-State)

In 2021, USC handed out 12,004 graduate degrees. This makes it the #1 most popular school in the state in this category. The table below lists the tuition and fees for the school, based on the most recent data available.

Average Tuition and Fees for University of Southern California

In-State Out-of-State
Avg. Full Time Graduate Tuition $63,468 $63,468
Avg. Required Fees for Full-Time Grad Students $1,198 $1,198
Part-Time per Credit Hour Tuition for Grad Students $2,137 $2,137

#2

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
Public Public vs. Private
$13,322 Yearly Tuition (In-State)

Out of the 213 schools in the state that offer graduate programs, UCLA ranked #2 in terms of popularity with 4,485 graduate degrees handed out in 2021. The following table gives a breakdown of the tuition costs to attend the school. This is based on the most recent data available.

Average Tuition and Fees for University of California - Los Angeles

In-State Out-of-State
Avg. Full Time Graduate Tuition $11,700 $26,802
Avg. Required Fees for Full-Time Grad Students $1,622 $1,622

#3

National University

San Diego, California
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
$15,912 Yearly Tuition (In-State)

Out of the 213 schools in the state that offer graduate programs, National University ranked #3 in terms of popularity with 4,409 graduate degrees handed out in 2021. These are the average costs for students attending the school, based on recent data.

Average Tuition and Fees for National University

In-State Out-of-State
Avg. Full Time Graduate Tuition $15,912 $15,912
Part-Time per Credit Hour Tuition for Grad Students $442 $442

#4

University of California - Berkeley

Berkeley, California
Public Public vs. Private
$14,476 Yearly Tuition (In-State)

UC Berkeley handed out 4,162 graduate degrees in 2021, making it the #4 most popular graduate school in the state. These are the average costs for students attending the school, based on recent data.

Average Tuition and Fees for University of California - Berkeley

In-State Out-of-State
Avg. Full Time Graduate Tuition $11,700 $26,802
Avg. Required Fees for Full-Time Grad Students $2,776 $2,776

#5

Stanford University

Stanford, California
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
$57,210 Yearly Tuition (In-State)

Out of the 213 schools in the state that offer graduate programs, Stanford ranked #5 in terms of popularity with 3,310 graduate degrees handed out in 2021. The following table gives a breakdown of the tuition costs to attend the school. This is based on the most recent data available.

Average Tuition and Fees for Stanford University

In-State Out-of-State
Avg. Full Time Graduate Tuition $56,487 $56,487
Avg. Required Fees for Full-Time Grad Students $723 $723
Part-Time per Credit Hour Tuition for Grad Students $1,255 $1,255

Private for-profit Public vs. Private
$13,515 Yearly Tuition (In-State)

In 2021, UAGC handed out 3,188 graduate degrees. This makes it the #6 most popular school in the state in this category. These are the average costs for students attending the school, based on recent data.

Average Tuition and Fees for The University of Arizona Global Campus

In-State Out-of-State
Avg. Full Time Graduate Tuition $12,645 $12,645
Avg. Required Fees for Full-Time Grad Students $870 $870

#7

San Jose State University

San Jose, California
Public Public vs. Private
$9,333 Yearly Tuition (In-State)

In 2021, San Jose State handed out 3,106 graduate degrees. This makes it the #7 most popular school in the state in this category. The following table gives a breakdown of the tuition costs to attend the school. This is based on the most recent data available.

Average Tuition and Fees for San Jose State University

In-State Out-of-State
Avg. Full Time Graduate Tuition $7,176 $16,680
Avg. Required Fees for Full-Time Grad Students $2,157 $2,157

#8

University of California - San Diego

La Jolla, California
Public Public vs. Private
$13,903 Yearly Tuition (In-State)

In 2021, UCSD handed out 2,888 graduate degrees. This makes it the #8 most popular school in the state in this category. These are the average costs for students attending the school, based on recent data.

Average Tuition and Fees for University of California - San Diego

In-State Out-of-State
Avg. Full Time Graduate Tuition $11,700 $26,802
Avg. Required Fees for Full-Time Grad Students $2,203 $2,203

#9

University of California - Irvine

Irvine, California
Public Public vs. Private
$13,645 Yearly Tuition (In-State)

In 2021, UC Irvine handed out 2,463 graduate degrees. This makes it the #9 most popular school in the state in this category. The following table gives a breakdown of the tuition costs to attend the school. This is based on the most recent data available.

Average Tuition and Fees for University of California - Irvine

In-State Out-of-State
Avg. Full Time Graduate Tuition $11,700 $26,802
Avg. Required Fees for Full-Time Grad Students $1,945 $1,945

#10

Naval Postgraduate School

Monterey, California
Public Public vs. Private

Naval Postgraduate School was ranked the #10 most popular graduate school in the state in 2021. All in all, 2,318 graduate degrees were handed out that year.

#11

Pepperdine University

Malibu, California
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
$39,720 Yearly Tuition (In-State)

Pepperdine University was ranked the #11 most popular graduate school in the state in 2021. All in all, 2,216 graduate degrees were handed out that year. These are the average costs for students attending the school, based on recent data.

Average Tuition and Fees for Pepperdine University

In-State Out-of-State
Avg. Full Time Graduate Tuition $39,100 $39,100
Avg. Required Fees for Full-Time Grad Students $620 $620
Part-Time per Credit Hour Tuition for Grad Students $1,955 $1,955

#12

University of California - Davis

Davis, California
Public Public vs. Private
$13,906 Yearly Tuition (In-State)

UC Davis handed out 2,150 graduate degrees in 2021, making it the #12 most popular graduate school in the state. These are the average costs for students attending the school, based on recent data.

Average Tuition and Fees for University of California - Davis

In-State Out-of-State
Avg. Full Time Graduate Tuition $11,700 $26,802
Avg. Required Fees for Full-Time Grad Students $2,206 $2,206

#13

Northcentral University

San Diego, California
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
$17,998 Yearly Tuition (In-State)

Out of the 213 schools in the state that offer graduate programs, Northcentral University ranked #13 in terms of popularity with 2,054 graduate degrees handed out in 2021. The following table gives a breakdown of the tuition costs to attend the school. This is based on the most recent data available.

Average Tuition and Fees for Northcentral University

In-State Out-of-State
Avg. Full Time Graduate Tuition $16,794 $16,794
Avg. Required Fees for Full-Time Grad Students $1,204 $1,204
Part-Time per Credit Hour Tuition for Grad Students $933 $933

#14

Brandman University

Irvine, California
Public Public vs. Private
$13,030 Yearly Tuition (In-State)

Brandman handed out 1,964 graduate degrees in 2021, making it the #14 most popular graduate school in the state. The following table gives a breakdown of the tuition costs to attend the school. This is based on the most recent data available.

Average Tuition and Fees for Brandman University

In-State Out-of-State
Avg. Full Time Graduate Tuition $12,510 $12,510
Avg. Required Fees for Full-Time Grad Students $520 $520
Part-Time per Credit Hour Tuition for Grad Students $695 $695

#15

California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, California
Public Public vs. Private
$8,318 Yearly Tuition (In-State)

Out of the 213 schools in the state that offer graduate programs, CSULB ranked #15 in terms of popularity with 1,882 graduate degrees handed out in 2021. The table below lists the tuition and fees for the school, based on the most recent data available.

Average Tuition and Fees for California State University - Long Beach

In-State Out-of-State
Avg. Full Time Graduate Tuition $7,176 $16,680
Avg. Required Fees for Full-Time Grad Students $1,142 $1,142

#16

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
Public Public vs. Private
$9,608 Yearly Tuition (In-State)

Out of the 213 schools in the state that offer graduate programs, SDSU ranked #16 in terms of popularity with 1,871 graduate degrees handed out in 2021. These are the average costs for students attending the school, based on recent data.

Average Tuition and Fees for San Diego State University

In-State Out-of-State
Avg. Full Time Graduate Tuition $7,176 $16,680
Avg. Required Fees for Full-Time Grad Students $2,432 $2,432

#16

California State University - Northridge

Northridge, California
Public Public vs. Private
$8,503 Yearly Tuition (In-State)

In 2021, CSUN handed out 1,871 graduate degrees. This makes it the #16 most popular school in the state in this category. The table below lists the tuition and fees for the school, based on the most recent data available.

Average Tuition and Fees for California State University - Northridge

In-State Out-of-State
Avg. Full Time Graduate Tuition $7,176 $16,680
Avg. Required Fees for Full-Time Grad Students $1,327 $1,327

#18

University of San Francisco

San Francisco, California
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
$28,060 Yearly Tuition (In-State)

In 2021, USFCA handed out 1,842 graduate degrees. This makes it the #18 most popular school in the state in this category. The following table gives a breakdown of the tuition costs to attend the school. This is based on the most recent data available.

Average Tuition and Fees for University of San Francisco

In-State Out-of-State
Avg. Full Time Graduate Tuition $27,990 $27,990
Avg. Required Fees for Full-Time Grad Students $70 $70
Part-Time per Credit Hour Tuition for Grad Students $1,555 $1,555

#19

California State University - Fullerton

Fullerton, California
Public Public vs. Private
$8,441 Yearly Tuition (In-State)

Out of the 213 schools in the state that offer graduate programs, Cal State Fullerton ranked #19 in terms of popularity with 1,642 graduate degrees handed out in 2021. These are the average costs for students attending the school, based on recent data.

Average Tuition and Fees for California State University - Fullerton

In-State Out-of-State
Avg. Full Time Graduate Tuition $7,176 $16,680
Avg. Required Fees for Full-Time Grad Students $1,265 $1,265

Private for-profit Public vs. Private
$27,171 Yearly Tuition (In-State)

University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences was ranked the #20 most popular graduate school in the state in 2021. All in all, 1,531 graduate degrees were handed out that year. The table below lists the tuition and fees for the school, based on the most recent data available.

Average Tuition and Fees for University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences

In-State Out-of-State
Avg. Full Time Graduate Tuition $26,341 $26,341
Avg. Required Fees for Full-Time Grad Students $830 $830
Part-Time per Credit Hour Tuition for Grad Students $876 $876

#21

University of San Diego

San Diego, California
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
$28,878 Yearly Tuition (In-State)

Out of the 213 schools in the state that offer graduate programs, USD ranked #21 in terms of popularity with 1,523 graduate degrees handed out in 2021. The following table gives a breakdown of the tuition costs to attend the school. This is based on the most recent data available.

Average Tuition and Fees for University of San Diego

In-State Out-of-State
Avg. Full Time Graduate Tuition $28,404 $28,404
Avg. Required Fees for Full-Time Grad Students $474 $474
Part-Time per Credit Hour Tuition for Grad Students $1,578 $1,578

#22

California Baptist University

Riverside, California
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
$14,410 Yearly Tuition (In-State)

Cal Baptist handed out 1,324 graduate degrees in 2021, making it the #22 most popular graduate school in the state. The table below lists the tuition and fees for the school, based on the most recent data available.

Average Tuition and Fees for California Baptist University

In-State Out-of-State
Avg. Full Time Graduate Tuition $13,680 $13,680
Avg. Required Fees for Full-Time Grad Students $730 $730
Part-Time per Credit Hour Tuition for Grad Students $760 $760

#23

California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
Public Public vs. Private
$8,239 Yearly Tuition (In-State)

Out of the 213 schools in the state that offer graduate programs, Cal State LA ranked #23 in terms of popularity with 1,320 graduate degrees handed out in 2021. The following table gives a breakdown of the tuition costs to attend the school. This is based on the most recent data available.

Average Tuition and Fees for California State University - Los Angeles

In-State Out-of-State
Avg. Full Time Graduate Tuition $7,176 $16,680
Avg. Required Fees for Full-Time Grad Students $1,063 $1,063

#24

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California
Public Public vs. Private
$8,958 Yearly Tuition (In-State)

San Francisco State University was ranked the #24 most popular graduate school in the state in 2021. All in all, 1,262 graduate degrees were handed out that year. The following table gives a breakdown of the tuition costs to attend the school. This is based on the most recent data available.

Average Tuition and Fees for San Francisco State University

In-State Out-of-State
Avg. Full Time Graduate Tuition $7,176 $16,680
Avg. Required Fees for Full-Time Grad Students $1,782 $1,782

Public Public vs. Private
$8,429 Yearly Tuition (In-State)

Out of the 213 schools in the state that offer graduate programs, Cal State East Bay ranked #25 in terms of popularity with 1,198 graduate degrees handed out in 2021. The table below lists the tuition and fees for the school, based on the most recent data available.

Average Tuition and Fees for California State University - East Bay

In-State Out-of-State
Avg. Full Time Graduate Tuition $7,176 $16,680
Avg. Required Fees for Full-Time Grad Students $1,253 $1,253

Other California Colleges

Rank School Yearly Graduations
26 Santa Clara University 1,193
27 University of the Pacific 1,168
28 University of California - Riverside 1,162
29 Concordia University, Irvine 1,155
30 Azusa Pacific University 1,147
31 Loyola Marymount University 1,123
32 University of La Verne 1,109
33 California State University - Sacramento 1,090
34 Western University of Health Sciences 1,070
35 University of California - San Francisco 1,061
36 Loma Linda University 1,057
37 University of Redlands 1,005
38 California State University - Fresno 944
39 Chapman University 940
40 University of California - Santa Barbara 874
41 Alliant International University 861
42 Academy of Art University 849
43 California State University - Dominguez Hills 792
44 Golden Gate University - San Francisco 743
45 California State University - San Bernardino 729
46 University of the People 690
47 Sofia University 671
48 Claremont Graduate University 668
49 The Chicago School of Professional Psychology at Los Angeles 654
50 Touro University Worldwide 595
51 University of California - Santa Cruz 588
52 Fuller Theological Seminary 580
53 Westcliff University 567
54 Biola University 561
55 Saint Mary’s College of California 555
56 California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo 530
57 West Coast University - Orange County 528
58 California State University - San Marcos 508
59 California State University - Bakersfield 481
60 California Lutheran University 477
60 Pacific College of Health and Science 477
62 California State Polytechnic University - Pomona 472
63 United States University 450
64 Touro University California 435
65 Point Loma Nazarene University 413
65 Samuel Merritt University 413
67 University of Phoenix - California 402
68 California Institute of Integral Studies 395
69 California State University - Monterey Bay 367
70 Fielding Graduate University 356
71 California State University - Stanislaus 350
72 Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science 340
73 Keck Graduate Institute 337
74 California State University - Chico 314
75 Palo Alto University 311
76 California Western School of Law 310
77 University of California - Hastings College of Law 306
78 Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey 304
79 California Institute of Technology 300
80 Fresno Pacific University 271
81 Pacific Oaks College 250
82 Antioch University - Los Angeles 245
83 Southwestern Law School 231
84 Mount Saint Mary’s University 226
85 William Jessup University 221
86 Pacifica Graduate Institute 215
87 Sonoma State University 207
88 New York Film Academy 200
89 The Master’s University and Seminary 196
90 Humboldt State University 195
91 Notre Dame de Namur University 194
92 Marshall B Ketchum University 185
93 Hope International University 172
93 Mills College 172
95 California College of the Arts 171
96 Dominican University of California 166
97 The Wright Institute 165
98 California Institute of the Arts 163
99 International Technological University 158
100 Five Branches University 155
101 West Coast University-Center for Graduate Studies 150
102 Vanguard University of Southern California 144
103 Life Chiropractic College West 137
104 La Sierra University 136
105 DeVry University - California 135
106 Holy Names University 133
106 University of California - Merced 133
108 Southern California University of Health Sciences 132
109 Southern States University 123
110 Azusa Pacific University College 110
110 Humphreys University - Stockton and Modesto Campuses 110
112 Southern California Institute of Architecture 106
113 Trinity Law School 105
114 California State University - Channel Islands 97
115 San Francisco Conservatory of Music 91
115 Claremont School of Theology 91
117 Art Center College of Design 90
118 Antioch University - Santa Barbara 88
119 The Chicago School of Professional Psychology at Irvine 87
120 Claremont Lincoln University 84
121 Lincoln University 82
121 American Film Institute Conservatory 82
123 California Health Sciences University 77
124 Saybrook University 73
125 Emperor’s College of Traditional Oriental Medicine 69
126 Presidio Graduate School 68
127 South Baylo University 67
128 University of West Los Angeles 64
128 Stanbridge University 64
130 Teachers College of San Joaquin 58
131 Thomas Jefferson School of Law 56
132 World Mission University 53
133 Woodbury University 50
133 California Intercontinental University 50
135 SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary 49
136 San Diego Christian College 46
137 High Tech High Graduate School of Education 45
138 Pacific School of Religion 44
139 Newschool of Architecture and Design 41
139 University of East - West Medicine 41
139 Bethesda University 41
142 The Santa Barbara and Ventura Colleges of Law at Ventura 38
143 Simpson University 36
143 Westminster Theological Seminary in California 36
143 Graduate Theological Union 36
146 San Joaquin College of Law 33
146 Life Pacific College 33
146 Marymount California University 33
149 California Institute of Advanced Management 32
149 University of the West 32
151 Otis College of Art and Design 29
152 American Baptist Seminary of the West 27
152 Empire College 27
154 The Chicago School of Professional Psychology at San Diego 26
154 FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising - Los Angeles 26
156 Pardee RAND Graduate School 25
156 Starr King School for Ministry 25
158 Abraham Lincoln University 24
158 Dominican School of Philosophy & Theology 24
158 Whittier College 24
161 University of Antelope Valley 23
162 Scripps College 22
162 Southern California Seminary 22
164 Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine College - Berkeley 20
164 Alhambra Medical University 20
164 Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 20
164 Dongguk University Los Angeles 20
168 California Miramar University 19
168 Church Divinity School of the Pacific 19
170 Laguna College of Art and Design 18
170 Bethel Seminary - San Diego 18
170 California State University Maritime Academy 18
170 Presbyterian Theological Seminary in America 18
174 Meridian University 17
175 Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences 16
176 American Jewish University 15
177 San Francisco Art Institute 14
178 Irell & Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences at City of Hope 13
178 America Evangelical University 13
180 Bergin University of Canine Studies 12
180 American Conservatory Theater 12
180 Grace Mission University 12
183 Academy for Jewish Religion - California 10
183 The Santa Barbara and Ventura Colleges of Law at Santa Barbara 10
183 Claremont McKenna College 10
186 Epic Bible College 9
186 Franciscan School of Theology 9
186 Fremont College 9
189 Minerva Schools at Keck Graduate Institute 7
189 Pacific States University 7
191 Institute of Buddhist Studies 6
191 Soka University of America 6
191 Interior Designers Institute 6
191 Cogswell College 6
195 Dell’Arte International School of Physical Theatre 5
195 Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute 5
197 Homestead Schools 4
198 Shasta Bible College and Graduate School 3
198 Reiss-Davis Graduate Center 3
200 American University of Health Sciences 2
200 Santa Barbara Business College - Ventura 2
202 Pacific Union College 1
202 San Diego Global Knowledge University 1
204 Design Institute of San Diego 0
204 Hussian College-Relativity Campus California 0
204 Occidental College 0
204 Learnet Academy Inc 0
204 University of Saint Katherine 0
204 Santa Barbara Business College - Bakersfield 0
204 Angeles College 0
204 Musicians Institute 0
204 Pacific College 0
204 California Graduate School of Theology 0

References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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