2026 Best Graduate Degrees Schools in California
Looking for the best Graduate Degrees degree programs in California? We have ranked 668 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Grad Degree analyzed 469 schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in California
Explore the leading schools below:
Our analysis found Stanford University to be the best Graduate Degrees school in California. This private not-for-profit school is set in Stanford, CA. Stanford University posts a six-year graduation rate of 92%. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. See the full Stanford University profile
You'll be in good company at Keck Graduate Institute, which ranked #2 this year. Set in Claremont, CA, Keck Graduate Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $19,250. Read more about Keck Graduate Institute
The strong Graduate Degrees programs at University Of California Berkeley earned it the #3 place in California. Located in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $14,238. Read more about University Of California Berkeley
The strong Graduate Degrees programs at Fielding Graduate University earned it the #4 place in California. This private not-for-profit school is set in Santa Barbara, CA. More on Fielding Graduate University
A rank of #5 makes Santa Clara University one of the top choices in California. Santa Clara University is a private not-for-profit school based in Santa Clara, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,293. Students borrow a median of $20,144 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. See the full Santa Clara University profile
Claremont Graduate University did well this year, earning the #6 position. Based in Claremont, CA, Claremont Graduate University is a private not-for-profit institution. Read more about Claremont Graduate University
University Of California Los Angeles did well this year, earning the #7 position. Set in Los Angeles, CA, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. More on University Of California Los Angeles
University Of Southern California came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Located in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. Students from in state pay about $71,647 in tuition and fees. University Of Southern California Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $15,625 in debt. Get the full University Of Southern California report
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo did well this year, earning the #9 position. Set in San Luis Obispo, CA, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,161, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $19,273 in debt. More on California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
Saint Marys College Of California placed #10 among Graduate Degrees schools in California. Based in Moraga, CA, Saint Marys College Of California is a private not-for-profit institution. Saint Marys College Of California graduates 70% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,803. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $25,041. More on Saint Marys College Of California
Concordia University Irvine did well this year, earning the #11 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Irvine, CA. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,480. Concordia University Irvine Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $26,085 in debt. Read more about Concordia University Irvine
University Of Redlands placed #12 among Graduate Degrees schools in California. University Of Redlands is a private not-for-profit school based in Redlands, CA. University Of Redlands graduates 67% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $60,878. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $27,175. Read more about University Of Redlands
University Of San Francisco landed the #13 spot in California this year. University Of San Francisco is a private not-for-profit school based in San Francisco, CA. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $60,522. University Of San Francisco Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $23,935 in debt. Get the full University Of San Francisco report
University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #14 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Santa Barbara, CA. University Of California Santa Barbara posts a six-year graduation rate of 83%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,444, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. Graduates carry a median of $15,501 in student loans. See the full University Of California Santa Barbara profile
San Jose State University placed #15 among Graduate Degrees schools in California. This public school is set in San Jose, CA. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Read more about San Jose State University
Dominican University Of California landed the #16 spot in California this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in San Rafael, CA. Dominican University Of California graduates 78% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $52,161 in tuition and fees. Dominican University Of California Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Get the full Dominican University Of California report
Monterey Institute Of International Studies placed #17 among Graduate Degrees schools in California. This private not-for-profit school is set in Monterey, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $48,654. Get the full Monterey Institute Of International Studies report
University Of The Pacific did well this year, earning the #18 position. Set in Stockton, CA, University Of The Pacific is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,080. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $23,514. Read more about University Of The Pacific
Loyola Marymount University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Loyola Marymount University is a private not-for-profit school based in Los Angeles, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,867. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $22,248. Read more about Loyola Marymount University
Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System landed the #20 spot in California this year. This public school is set in Aliso Viejo, CA. Students from in state pay about $12,540 in tuition and fees. Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $27,471 in debt. Get the full Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System report
University Of California San Diego did well this year, earning the #21 position. University Of California San Diego is a public school based in La Jolla, CA. University Of California San Diego graduates 86% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Graduates carry a median of $17,101 in student loans. See the full University Of California San Diego profile
University Of California Davis ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. This public school is set in Davis, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Students borrow a median of $14,404 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Read the full report on University Of California Davis
University Of San Diego did well this year, earning the #23 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in San Diego, CA. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $59,486. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $23,795. Get the full University Of San Diego report
Pepperdine University came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Based in Malibu, CA, Pepperdine University is a private not-for-profit institution. Pepperdine University posts a six-year graduation rate of 83%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,918. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $23,645. Get the full Pepperdine University report
California Lutheran University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Set in Thousand Oaks, CA, California Lutheran University is a private not-for-profit institution. California Lutheran University graduates 70% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $52,560 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $22,727 in student loans. Read more about California Lutheran University
Rest of the Top 50 Best Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in California
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Point Loma Nazarene University landed the #26 spot in California this year. Point Loma Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit school based in San Diego, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. Students from in state pay about $46,250 in tuition and fees. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $22,542. Get the full Point Loma Nazarene University report
University Of California Irvine ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. This public school is set in Irvine, CA. About 87% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $16,539 in student loans. Get the full University Of California Irvine report
Fresno Pacific University did well this year, earning the #28 position. Located in Fresno, CA, Fresno Pacific University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 50% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $36,660. Graduates carry a median of $24,596 in student loans. Read the full report on Fresno Pacific University
Mount St Marys College placed #29 among Graduate Degrees schools in California. Located in Los Angeles, CA, Mount St Marys College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 48% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $49,564. Graduates carry a median of $27,555 in student loans. More on Mount St Marys College
Notre Dame De Namur University landed the #30 spot in California this year. Set in Belmont, CA, Notre Dame De Namur University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 7% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $15,792. Notre Dame De Namur University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $26,524 in debt. Read the full report on Notre Dame De Namur University
National University did well this year, earning the #31 position. National University is a private not-for-profit school based in San Diego, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. Students from in state pay about $13,284 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,426 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Read more about National University
Azusa Pacific University placed #32 among Graduate Degrees schools in California. Azusa Pacific University is a private not-for-profit school based in Azusa, CA. Azusa Pacific University posts a six-year graduation rate of 62%. In-state tuition and fees run about $44,458. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $23,709. More on Azusa Pacific University
California State University Long Beach landed the #33 spot in California this year. California State University Long Beach is a public school based in Long Beach, CA. California State University Long Beach graduates 69% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $15,671. Get the full California State University Long Beach report
California State University Stanislaus came in at #34 in this year's ranking. Based in Turlock, CA, California State University Stanislaus is a public institution. About 53% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,242, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Students borrow a median of $14,813 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Read more about California State University Stanislaus
Golden Gate University San Francisco came in at #35 in this year's ranking. Based in San Francisco, CA, Golden Gate University San Francisco is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $11,343 in tuition and fees. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $33,968. Read the full report on Golden Gate University San Francisco
California State University Sacramento came in at #36 in this year's ranking. California State University Sacramento is a public school based in Sacramento, CA. California State University Sacramento graduates 56% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Students borrow a median of $17,492 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. See the full California State University Sacramento profile
California State University Monterey Bay came in at #37 in this year's ranking. Set in Seaside, CA, California State University Monterey Bay is a public institution. California State University Monterey Bay posts a six-year graduation rate of 59%. In-state tuition and fees average $7,779, with out-of-state students paying around $20,379. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $14,622. Get the full California State University Monterey Bay report
California State University San Marcos did well this year, earning the #38 position. This public school is set in San Marcos, CA. California State University San Marcos posts a six-year graduation rate of 55%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,082, compared with $20,682 for out-of-state students. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $17,527. Read more about California State University San Marcos
California State University Fresno came in at #39 in this year's ranking. California State University Fresno is a public school based in Fresno, CA. California State University Fresno graduates 57% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $15,598. Read more about California State University Fresno
California State University Northridge did well this year, earning the #40 position. Based in Northridge, CA, California State University Northridge is a public institution. California State University Northridge graduates 57% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. California State University Northridge Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $16,202 in debt. Read the full report on California State University Northridge
California State Polytechnic University Pomona landed the #41 spot in California this year. Set in Pomona, CA, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public institution. California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates 68% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $7,781 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,381 for out-of-state students. California State Polytechnic University Pomona Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $17,226 in debt. More on California State Polytechnic University Pomona
California State University Bakersfield placed #42 among Graduate Degrees schools in California. Set in Bakersfield, CA, California State University Bakersfield is a public institution. California State University Bakersfield graduates 50% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,087, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Read the full report on California State University Bakersfield
California Institute Of Technology placed #43 among Graduate Degrees schools in California. Located in Pasadena, CA, California Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Students from in state pay about $65,898 in tuition and fees. See the full California Institute Of Technology profile
California State University Dominguez Hills landed the #44 spot in California this year. California State University Dominguez Hills is a public school based in Carson, CA. California State University Dominguez Hills graduates 43% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Graduates carry a median of $15,886 in student loans. See the full California State University Dominguez Hills profile
Biola University did well this year, earning the #45 position. Biola University is a private not-for-profit school based in La Mirada, CA. About 68% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $48,984. Biola University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $25,308 in debt. More on Biola University
California Baptist University did well this year, earning the #46 position. Located in Riverside, CA, California Baptist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,228. Students borrow a median of $28,169 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Read more about California Baptist University
San Diego State University did well this year, earning the #47 position. Located in San Diego, CA, San Diego State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. In-state tuition and fees average $8,728, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. San Diego State University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $16,417 in debt. Get the full San Diego State University report
Mills College placed #48 among Graduate Degrees schools in California. Based in Oakland, CA, Mills College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,778. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $24,086. Read the full report on Mills College
University Of California Santa Cruz did well this year, earning the #49 position. University Of California Santa Cruz is a public school based in Santa Cruz, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,035, compared with $46,923 for out-of-state students. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $18,559. Read the full report on University Of California Santa Cruz
California State University Fullerton did well this year, earning the #50 position. Based in Fullerton, CA, California State University Fullerton is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. California State University Fullerton Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $15,525 in debt. Read more about California State University Fullerton
More Graduate Degrees Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Grad Degree (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: State · 469 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 668 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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