California Public Colleges with the Lowest Acceptance Rate

The average acceptance rate of the 31 public California colleges that have competitive admission is 70.03% for the academic year 2023-2024. Compared to last year, the acceptance rate is higher by 0.68%. The acceptance rate at 26 public California colleges increased and the rate of 5 colleges decreased.

University of California-Los Angeles has the lowest (i.e. hard to admit) acceptance rate of 8.73%. University of California-Berkeley (11.66%) and University of California-San Diego (24.52%) are following it in the list of Tightest California Public Colleges to get in.

This ranking is only based on acceptance rates and more admission stats such as SAT and ACT scores are helpful to measure the chances to get in more accurately.

University of California-Los Angeles stays at first place of the lowest acceptance rate ranking since last year. University of California-Berkeley also maintained its second place in the ranking.

The average undergraduate tuition & fees of the schools is $38,797 and graduate tuition & fees is $26,606 for the academic year 2023-2024.

We note that the actual tightness of admission lies in considering other admission requirements such as SAT score.
Table. Tightest California Public Colleges To Get In Comparison
School NameAcceptance RateYieldSAT ScoreUndergraduate Tuition & FeesTotal PopulationGraduation RateStudents to Faculty Ratio
1
-
University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublic, 4-year 8.73%
0.16%
51.70%-$44,524
($13,747)
46,43093.00%18 to 1
2
-
University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CAPublic, 4-year 11.66%
0.33%
45.25%-$45,627
($14,850)
45,30793.00%19 to 1
3
1
University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CAPublic, 4-year 24.52%
0.81%
21.85%-$46,042
($15,265)
42,00688.00%19 to 1
4
1
University of California-Irvine Irvine, CAPublic, 4-year 25.57%
4.42%
21.95%-$45,014
($14,237)
35,93786.00%18 to 1
5
-
University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CAPublic, 4-year 27.78%
1.93%
16.37%-$45,742
($14,965)
26,42085.00%17 to 1
6
-
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CAPublic, 4-year 29.75%
0.68%
27.83%-$30,995
($11,075)
22,00085.00%20 to 1
7
1
San Diego State University San Diego, CAPublic, 4-year 34.44%
4.82%
21.61%-$20,170
($8,290)
37,40278.00%25 to 1
8
10
University of California-Merced Merced, CAPublic, 4-year 39.18%
50.28%
9.08%-$44,944
($14,167)
9,10369.00%19 to 1
9
2
University of California-Davis Davis, CAPublic, 4-year 41.63%
4.29%
16.70%-$46,024
($15,247)
39,67985.00%21 to 1
10
1
California State University-Long Beach Long Beach, CAPublic, 4-year 47.12%
7.17%
15.33%-$18,888
($7,008)
38,97370.00%22 to 1
Average29.04%24.77%-$38,797
($12,885)
34,32683.20%20 to 1