Best Online Colleges in California 2024
Editor & Writer
Writer & Editor
Editor & Writer
Writer & Editor
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If you're looking for the best online colleges in California, you've come to the right place. We've crunched the numbers using the most recent data from the National Center for College Statistics, weighing school performance based on indicators selected by actual college students.
Our top three picks all scored well in affordability, student outcomes, reputation, diversity, and social mobility. And San Diego State — our No. 1 school — knocked it out of the park. Read on to find out more about our top picks.
Featured Online College Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Online Colleges and Universities of 2024
We use trusted sources like
Peterson's Data
and the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
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San Diego State University
San Diego, CA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $278
Out-of-State | $396
Credits to Graduate: 120
Founded in 1897, San Diego State University hosts a diverse student body of about 35,000 learners. Its alumni network includes more than 400,000 graduates, including basketball superstar Kawhi Leonard and actress Raquel Welch.
The SDSU Global Campus offers more than a dozen fully online degree programs. Online bachelor's programs include business administration, communication, criminal justice, economics, and public health. SDSU also supports hybrid learning in multiple other subject areas.
In 2021-22, SDSU conferred 8,750 degrees. Those who entered the school as first-time first-year students graduated with an average GPA of 3.35.
ROI Value Score: High
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Humphreys University
Stockton, CA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $410
Out-of-State | $410
Credits to Graduate: 181
As a student at Humphreys University, you'll have a great deal of flexibility in earning your associate, bachelor's, master's, or law degree.
Humphreys University students can choose to take on-campus classes in Stockton or Modesto, enroll in some online courses, or get a more immersive experience through virtual learning.
Humphreys University lets you progress through your education at your own pace. The 11-week quarter system allows you to enroll in new courses throughout the school year.
ROI Value Score: Medium
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
California State University-Chico
Chico, CA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $ 471
Out-of-State | $867
Credits to Graduate: 120
California State University, Chico offers 100% online programs in eight subject areas — business, humanities, liberal arts, sociology, social science, religious studies, and multicultural or gender studies.
Chico State also has an online RN-to-BSN program for registered nurses. The school is a designated Hispanic-serving institution with a long history of supporting education access for underserved communities.
Data published by Chico State indicates a six-year graduation rate of 63.2% (2017) and a retention rate of 82.8% (2022). Both metrics are in line with the national averages.
ROI Value Score: High
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
University of La Verne
La Verne, CA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $250-$665
Out-of-State | $250-$665
Credits to Graduate: 128
University of La Verne may be an attractive option if you want a fully online degree. The school offers nine undergraduate and eight graduate degrees, in addition to three certificates and credentials. The MBA and bachelor's programs are top-ranked not just in the state, but also among online schools across the U.S. Active military personnel receive a tuition rate reduction.
Keep in mind, the bachelor's in nursing and bachelor's in child development programs are only available to California residents. Also, the master's in teaching and the three certificates are unavailable to out-of-state online students.
ROI Value Score: Medium
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
California State University-San Marcos
San Marcos, CA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $239
Out-of-State | $396
Credits to Graduate: 120
As a student at California State University, San Marcos, you can design your curriculum by enrolling in online, on-campus, and hybrid courses that suit your schedule. The school offers an extended learning program with online bachelor's degrees in the following fields:
- Criminology and justice studies
- Cybersecurity
- Nursing
- Sociology
- Wildlife science
College graduates and working professionals can choose from five online master's or nine certificate programs to further their education or advance their careers. The school's outreach programs include extended learning, which is designed to promote continuing education and lifelong learning.
ROI Value Score: High
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
No. 1 Program: San Diego State University
San Diego State University tops our list of the best online colleges in California in 2024 due to its exceptional value and student outcomes.
SDSU's graduation rate is the highest of all the schools on our list, at a whopping 76%. Keep in mind that the average college graduation rate in the U.S. was only 62% in 2023, so SDSU beat the average by a significant margin. The school also has one of the highest retention rates of our top picks, at 90%.
Students may be more likely to stick around and finish their degree at SDSU because of the school's relatively low cost. With a net price of just under $6,500 per year, it beat out our second pick by $2,000 and is only half as much as our third pick. And with 98% of students awarded financial aid, you're almost guaranteed some help in covering costs.
No. 2 Program: Humphreys University
SDSU may be attractive for a number of reasons, but likelihood of admission isn't one of them. While SDSU's admission rate sits at just 38%, Humphreys University boasts a reassuring 100% admission rate.
With an affordable net price of around $8,500 and 100% of students awarded aid, this school is a solid choice for the cost-conscious. Humphreys also has the smallest class sizes of any of our top picks, with a mere 7-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio. (In comparison, SDSU sits at 25-to-1, and our third pick — California State University, Chico — has a ratio of 20-to-1.)
This private, nonprofit university has campuses in Stockton and Modesto but offers many of its programs online and in hybrid formats, with flexible evening and weekend scheduling.
Why Humphreys University Ranked Second
While Humphreys has the best admission rate of the bunch, unfortunately it just couldn't top San Diego State University when it comes to price — one of the most important metrics in our ranking.
SDSU's 76% graduation rate also edged out Humphreys' 72%. And while Humphreys offers a solid seven online bachelor's and master's programs, SDSU has double the offerings with 14 online programs.
No. 3 Program: California State University, Chico
California State University, Chico, may not top the list in any particular metric, but the school is our third pick due to its overall strong showing across the board.
With an admission rate of 85%, you're very likely to get in the door if you set your sights on Chico State. Although Chico State's net price is the steepest of our top picks at just under $13,400 per year, almost three-quarters of students (72%) are awarded some form of financial aid.
And with a retention rate of 81% and a graduation rate of 65%, it's clear that Chico State works hard to support its students throughout their whole college journey.
In the school's own words: At Chico State, being named one of the best online colleges in California is a tremendous honor that underscores our commitment to adapting to meeting students' needs and helping them reach their academic goals ... regardless of where they are.
How We Rank Schools
To create this ranking, BestColleges sourced the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. We then ranked each school according to the top variables college students selected in our College Choice and Admissions Survey. To learn more, check out our full rankings methodology or read the summary below.
Ranking Methodology Summary
To qualify for our rankings lists, each school must be an accredited public or private, nonprofit institution. Each eligible school was then ranked based on a formula measuring:
- Affordability (30%)
- Student outcomes (30%)
- Reputation (20%)
- Diversity and social mobility (20%)
In addition, we only included colleges with graduation rates in the top third of all online colleges.
Related Topics
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Colleges
How many online colleges are in California?
California is home to more than 250 four-year colleges and universities, many of which have online programs. In 2022, 27% of the state's students were enrolled exclusively in online programs.
Students in the California State University (CSU) system — the largest university system in California — have access to 170 fully online and 140 hybrid programs at 23 colleges.
What is the cheapest online college in California?
Schools within the CSU system offer relatively affordable tuition. CSU Fresno and CSU Los Angeles offer the lowest in-state tuition and fees for the 2023-2024 school year at $6,980 and $6,813, respectively.
NCES data shows that CSUs charge between $18,500-$19,600 for out-of-state tuition and fees. Tuition at schools outside of the CSU system also varies. Be aware that some online colleges in California may charge affordable per-credit tuition but pair it with exorbitant fees that make your education more expensive.
Can you attend online college in California for free?
If you are a California resident, you can reduce the cost of your college education by attending community colleges for free if you qualify. You can then transfer an associate degree or a block of credits to a four-year online college in California, lowering the cost of your tuition.
Alternatively, students living in any state can explore student aid options such as scholarships and grants that offer free money for college.
Is attending online college in California worth it?
Attending college in California gives you access to some of the best online schools in the country. California ranks in the world's top five largest economies, providing college graduates with a wealth of job and entrepreneurial opportunities that many other communities may lack.
But make sure to do your research on the cost of attending online colleges in California and explore career options and salary projections to see what path is right for you.
How much does online college cost in California?
Students in California paid an average of $8,637 in in-state tuition in 2021-2022, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Comparatively, out-of-state students paid $32,967 for the same programs. Some colleges waive out-of-state charges for online learners, so online colleges in California might cost less than on-campus programs.
Additionally, you can save money on expenses such as transportation and childcare if you study online.
| Institution Type | Average Tuition & Required Fees |
|---|---|
| Public Four-Year (In-State) | $8,637 |
| Public Four-Year (Out-of-State) | $32,967 |
| Private Four-Year | $42,017 |
