Academic Index Last updated: June 23, 2026

30 Best Universities in California for Astrobiology

Focusing specifically on Astrobiology, our data science engine identified the 30 most influential universities in California. To determine these leaders, we isolated 3.31M specialized research publications which collectively generated 164.8M citations. This targeted approach bypasses general university reputation, directly revealing the strongest programs.

Active Filters: Astrobiology California Clear All

Ranking Methodology Notice

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1

Pasadena, CA

California Institute of Technology

For Astrobiology

#1 in United States #1 in North America

3% Acceptance

26,133 Enrollment

1535 Avg SAT

1891 Founded

2

Berkeley

University of California – Berkeley

For Astrobiology

#3 in United States #3 in North America

11% Acceptance

26,133 Enrollment

1175 Avg SAT

1868 Founded

3

Los Angeles

University of California – Los Angeles

For Astrobiology

#5 in United States #5 in North America

9% Acceptance

37,297 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1919 Founded

4

Stanford

Stanford University

For Astrobiology

#14 in United States #14 in North America

4% Acceptance

47,335 Enrollment

1545 Avg SAT

1885 Founded

5

San Diego

University of California-San Diego

For Astrobiology

#20 in United States #21 in North America

27% Acceptance

47,335 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1960 Founded

6

Santa Cruz

University of California – Santa Cruz

For Astrobiology

#21 in United States #22 in North America

66% Acceptance

45,882 Enrollment

1535 Avg SAT

1965 Founded

7

Davis

University of California – Davis

For Astrobiology

#39 in United States #41 in North America

42% Acceptance

25,685 Enrollment

1545 Avg SAT

1905 Founded

8

Santa Barbara

University of California – Santa Barbara

For Astrobiology

#42 in United States #45 in North America

33% Acceptance

45,882 Enrollment

1535 Avg SAT

1921 Founded

9

Los Angeles

University of Southern California

For Astrobiology

#44 in United States #48 in North America

10% Acceptance

47,335 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1880 Founded

10

San Francisco

University of California – San Francisco

For Astrobiology

#47 in United States #52 in North America

13% Acceptance

2,942 Enrollment

1100 Avg SAT

1864 Founded

11

Irvine

University of California – Irvine

For Astrobiology

#63 in United States #70 in North America

29% Acceptance

47,335 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1965 Founded

12

Riverside

University of California – Riverside

For Astrobiology

#69 in United States #77 in North America

76% Acceptance

25,685 Enrollment

1175 Avg SAT

1954 Founded

13

San Diego

San Diego State University

For Astrobiology

#163 in United States #184 in North America

36% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1125 Avg SAT

1897 Founded

14

Santa Clara, CA

Santa Clara University

For Astrobiology

#255 in United States #287 in North America

48% Acceptance

37,661 Enrollment

1420 Avg SAT

1851 Founded

15

Monterey

Naval Postgraduate School

For Astrobiology

#285 in United States #321 in North America

23% Acceptance

837 Enrollment

1335 Avg SAT

1909 Founded

16

Loma Linda

Loma Linda University

For Astrobiology

#254 in United States #286 in North America

74% Acceptance

3,665 Enrollment

1100 Avg SAT

1905 Founded

17

Fullerton

California State University – Fullerton

For Astrobiology

#229 in United States #259 in North America

91% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1350 Avg SAT

1957 Founded

18

Long Beach, CA

California State University – Long Beach

For Astrobiology

#270 in United States #303 in North America

46% Acceptance

38,313 Enrollment

1350 Avg SAT

1949 Founded

19

Palo Alto

Palo Alto University

For Astrobiology

#318 in United States #356 in North America

12% Acceptance

3,007 Enrollment

1100 Avg SAT

1975 Founded

20

San Luis Obispo

California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo

For Astrobiology

#204 in United States #233 in North America

31% Acceptance

27,636 Enrollment

1175 Avg SAT

1901 Founded

21

San Bernardino

California State University – San Bernardino

For Astrobiology

#328 in United States #366 in North America

94% Acceptance

16,237 Enrollment

1240 Avg SAT

1960 Founded

22

Los Angeles

California State University – Northridge

For Astrobiology

#234 in United States #264 in North America

93% Acceptance

23,163 Enrollment

1525 Avg SAT

1958 Founded

23

Pomona

California State Polytechnic University – Pomona

For Astrobiology

#291 in United States #327 in North America

75% Acceptance

38,313 Enrollment

1525 Avg SAT

1938 Founded

24

San Francisco

San Francisco State University

For Astrobiology

#177 in United States #202 in North America

96% Acceptance

5,891 Enrollment

1290 Avg SAT

1899 Founded

25

Claremont, CA

For Astrobiology

#228 in United States #258 in North America

7% Acceptance

38,313 Enrollment

1525 Avg SAT

1887 Founded

26

San Jose, CA

San Jose State University

For Astrobiology

#126 in United States #139 in North America

85% Acceptance

22,563 Enrollment

1420 Avg SAT

1857 Founded

27

Merced

University of California – Merced

For Astrobiology

#287 in United States #323 in North America

91% Acceptance

45,882 Enrollment

1175 Avg SAT

2005 Founded

28

Fresno

California State University – Fresno

For Astrobiology

#305 in United States #342 in North America

95% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1125 Avg SAT

1911 Founded

29

Los Angeles

California State University – Los Angeles

For Astrobiology

#258 in United States #290 in North America

91% Acceptance

38,313 Enrollment

1350 Avg SAT

1947 Founded

30

San Francisco

University of San Francisco

For Astrobiology

#268 in United States #301 in North America

62% Acceptance

12,326 Enrollment

1290 Avg SAT

1855 Founded