Academic Index Last updated: June 23, 2026

100 Best Universities in California for Ecology

Focusing specifically on Ecology, our data science engine identified the 100 most influential universities in California. To determine these leaders, we isolated 3.5M specialized research publications which collectively generated 168.53M citations. This targeted approach bypasses general university reputation, directly revealing the strongest programs.

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1

Berkeley

University of California – Berkeley

For Ecology

#1 in United States #1 in North America

11% Acceptance

26,133 Enrollment

1175 Avg SAT

1868 Founded

2

Davis

University of California – Davis

For Ecology

#4 in United States #4 in North America

42% Acceptance

25,685 Enrollment

1545 Avg SAT

1905 Founded

3

Stanford

Stanford University

For Ecology

#7 in United States #7 in North America

4% Acceptance

47,335 Enrollment

1545 Avg SAT

1885 Founded

4

Los Angeles

University of California – Los Angeles

For Ecology

#18 in United States #20 in North America

9% Acceptance

37,297 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1919 Founded

5

San Diego

University of California-San Diego

For Ecology

#27 in United States #30 in North America

27% Acceptance

47,335 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1960 Founded

6

Santa Barbara

University of California – Santa Barbara

For Ecology

#36 in United States #40 in North America

33% Acceptance

45,882 Enrollment

1535 Avg SAT

1921 Founded

7

Riverside

University of California – Riverside

For Ecology

#42 in United States #47 in North America

76% Acceptance

25,685 Enrollment

1175 Avg SAT

1954 Founded

8

Los Angeles

University of Southern California

For Ecology

#44 in United States #49 in North America

10% Acceptance

47,335 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1880 Founded

9

Irvine

University of California – Irvine

For Ecology

#45 in United States #50 in North America

29% Acceptance

47,335 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1965 Founded

10

Pasadena, CA

California Institute of Technology

For Ecology

#54 in United States #61 in North America

3% Acceptance

26,133 Enrollment

1535 Avg SAT

1891 Founded

11

San Francisco

University of California – San Francisco

For Ecology

#62 in United States #70 in North America

13% Acceptance

2,942 Enrollment

1100 Avg SAT

1864 Founded

12

Santa Cruz

University of California – Santa Cruz

For Ecology

#71 in United States #85 in North America

66% Acceptance

45,882 Enrollment

1535 Avg SAT

1965 Founded

13

San Diego

San Diego State University

For Ecology

#112 in United States #135 in North America

36% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1125 Avg SAT

1897 Founded

14

Santa Clara, CA

Santa Clara University

For Ecology

#221 in United States #258 in North America

48% Acceptance

37,661 Enrollment

1420 Avg SAT

1851 Founded

15

Monterey

Naval Postgraduate School

For Ecology

#244 in United States #282 in North America

23% Acceptance

837 Enrollment

1335 Avg SAT

1909 Founded

16

Los Angeles

Loyola Marymount University

For Ecology

#307 in United States #355 in North America

45% Acceptance

1,006 Enrollment

1345 Avg SAT

1911 Founded

17

Pomona

Western University of Health Sciences

For Ecology

#466 in United States #519 in North America

8% Acceptance

3,738 Enrollment

1100 Avg SAT

1977 Founded

18

Merced

University of California – Merced

For Ecology

#206 in United States #242 in North America

91% Acceptance

45,882 Enrollment

1175 Avg SAT

2005 Founded

19

Fresno

Fresno Pacific University

For Ecology

#1225 in United States #1303 in North America

64% Acceptance

1,874 Enrollment

1470 Avg SAT

1944 Founded

20

Bakersfield

California State University – Bakersfield

For Ecology

#491 in United States #546 in North America

94% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1965 Founded

21

San Luis Obispo

California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo

For Ecology

#204 in United States #237 in North America

31% Acceptance

27,636 Enrollment

1175 Avg SAT

1901 Founded

22

Vallejo

California State University Maritime Academy

For Ecology

#364 in United States #416 in North America

95% Acceptance

2,441 Enrollment

1135 Avg SAT

1929 Founded

23

Claremont, CA

Harvey Mudd College

For Ecology

#493 in United States #548 in North America

13% Acceptance

26,133 Enrollment

1535 Avg SAT

1955 Founded

24

Angwin

Pacific Union College

For Ecology

#1309 in United States #1391 in North America

47% Acceptance

5,891 Enrollment

1450 Avg SAT

1882 Founded

25

Thousand Oaks

California Lutheran University

For Ecology

#1004 in United States #1077 in North America

76% Acceptance

18,492 Enrollment

1240 Avg SAT

1959 Founded

26

Fresno

California State University – Fresno

For Ecology

#311 in United States #359 in North America

95% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1125 Avg SAT

1911 Founded

27

Los Altos Hills

Foothill College

For Ecology

#1175 in United States #1252 in North America

100% Acceptance

18,258 Enrollment

28

Pasadena, CA

Fuller Theological Seminary

For Ecology

#934 in United States #1005 in North America

82% Acceptance

833 Enrollment

1265 Avg SAT

29

Los Angeles

California State University – Northridge

For Ecology

#254 in United States #293 in North America

93% Acceptance

23,163 Enrollment

1525 Avg SAT

1958 Founded

30

Santa Monica

Santa Monica College

For Ecology

#1303 in United States #1385 in North America

100% Acceptance

5,592 Enrollment

1240 Avg SAT

31

Los Angeles

Occidental College

For Ecology

#387 in United States #439 in North America

44% Acceptance

38,313 Enrollment

1450 Avg SAT

1887 Founded

32

Claremont, CA

Keck Graduate Institute

For Ecology

#887 in United States #958 in North America

50% Acceptance

44,256 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1997 Founded

33

San Francisco

California Institute of Integral Studies

For Ecology

#912 in United States #983 in North America

90% Acceptance

1,057 Enrollment

1265 Avg SAT

1968 Founded

34

Sacramento

California State University – Sacramento

For Ecology

#349 in United States #400 in North America

94% Acceptance

12,326 Enrollment

1290 Avg SAT

1947 Founded

35

Santa Monica

Pardee RAND Graduate School

For Ecology

#897 in United States #968 in North America

13% Acceptance

15,182 Enrollment

1111 Avg SAT

1970 Founded

36

La Mirada

Biola University

For Ecology

#1012 in United States #1085 in North America

74% Acceptance

1,890 Enrollment

1265 Avg SAT

1908 Founded

37

San Francisco

San Francisco State University

For Ecology

#173 in United States #203 in North America

96% Acceptance

5,891 Enrollment

1290 Avg SAT

1899 Founded

38

Santa Barbara

Fielding Graduate University

For Ecology

#762 in United States #829 in North America

82% Acceptance

518 Enrollment

1255 Avg SAT

1974 Founded

39

Rohnert Park

Sonoma State University

For Ecology

#409 in United States #461 in North America

93% Acceptance

22,563 Enrollment

1450 Avg SAT

1960 Founded

40

Vallejo

Touro University California

For Ecology

#1055 in United States #1130 in North America

1,367 Enrollment

1100 Avg SAT

1997 Founded

41

Carpinteria

Pacifica Graduate Institute

For Ecology

#1114 in United States #1191 in North America

75% Acceptance

1,890 Enrollment

1265 Avg SAT

1974 Founded

42

La Verne

University of La Verne

For Ecology

#986 in United States #1058 in North America

71% Acceptance

18,492 Enrollment

1111 Avg SAT

1891 Founded

43

Los Angeles

California State University – Los Angeles

For Ecology

#301 in United States #348 in North America

91% Acceptance

38,313 Enrollment

1350 Avg SAT

1947 Founded

44

Burbank

Woodbury University

For Ecology

#1082 in United States #1157 in North America

82% Acceptance

1,771 Enrollment

1345 Avg SAT

1884 Founded

45

San Francisco

Golden Gate University – San Francisco

For Ecology

#346 in United States #397 in North America

83% Acceptance

28,313 Enrollment

1340 Avg SAT

1901 Founded

46

San Jose, CA

San Jose State University

For Ecology

#222 in United States #259 in North America

85% Acceptance

22,563 Enrollment

1420 Avg SAT

1857 Founded

47

Culver, CA

Antioch University

For Ecology

#921 in United States #992 in North America

81% Acceptance

1,771 Enrollment

1111 Avg SAT

48

San Bernardino

California State University – San Bernardino

For Ecology

#436 in United States #488 in North America

94% Acceptance

16,237 Enrollment

1240 Avg SAT

1960 Founded

49

Los Angeles

Pacific States University

For Ecology

#1289 in United States #1371 in North America

100% Acceptance

38,313 Enrollment

1365 Avg SAT

50

Berkeley

Wright Institute

For Ecology

#1042 in United States #1117 in North America

91% Acceptance

1,057 Enrollment

1255 Avg SAT

1969 Founded

51

Claremont, CA

Scripps College

For Ecology

#793 in United States #861 in North America

38% Acceptance

23,453 Enrollment

1490 Avg SAT

1926 Founded

52

Malibu

Pepperdine University

For Ecology

#351 in United States #403 in North America

63% Acceptance

1,006 Enrollment

1370 Avg SAT

1937 Founded

53

Riverside

La Sierra University

For Ecology

#731 in United States #798 in North America

91% Acceptance

28,467 Enrollment

1450 Avg SAT

1971 Founded

54

Azusa

Azusa Pacific University

For Ecology

#977 in United States #1049 in North America

88% Acceptance

910 Enrollment

1111 Avg SAT

1899 Founded

55

Atherton

For Ecology

#1136 in United States #1213 in North America

68% Acceptance

1,771 Enrollment

1370 Avg SAT

1927 Founded

56

Los Angeles

Chicago School of Professional Psychology at Los Angeles

For Ecology

#1040 in United States #1115 in North America

46% Acceptance

910 Enrollment

1111 Avg SAT

1979 Founded

57

Chico

California State University – Chico

For Ecology

#371 in United States #423 in North America

93% Acceptance

31,943 Enrollment

1290 Avg SAT

1887 Founded

58

Bakersfield

Bakersfield College

For Ecology

#1297 in United States #1379 in North America

100% Acceptance

27,248 Enrollment

1265 Avg SAT

59

Claremont, CA

For Ecology

#831 in United States #900 in North America

25% Acceptance

1,771 Enrollment

1490 Avg SAT

1963 Founded

60

Orange, CA

Chapman University

For Ecology

#325 in United States #376 in North America

65% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1350 Avg SAT

1861 Founded

61

Oakland

Saybrook University

For Ecology

#1010 in United States #1083 in North America

85% Acceptance

1,874 Enrollment

1111 Avg SAT

1971 Founded

62

San Diego

Alliant International University – San Diego

For Ecology

#538 in United States #594 in North America

915 Enrollment

1111 Avg SAT

2001 Founded

$25,481 Net Price

63

San Diego

United States University

For Ecology

#991 in United States #1063 in North America

100% Acceptance

37,297 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1997 Founded

64

San Diego

Ashford University

For Ecology

#973 in United States #1044 in North America

100% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1125 Avg SAT

$32,265 Net Price

65

Pomona

California State Polytechnic University – Pomona

For Ecology

#299 in United States #346 in North America

75% Acceptance

38,313 Enrollment

1525 Avg SAT

1938 Founded

66

Los Angeles

Southwestern Law School

For Ecology

#1152 in United States #1229 in North America

31% Acceptance

650 Enrollment

1345 Avg SAT

1911 Founded

67

San Rafael

Dominican University of California

For Ecology

#789 in United States #857 in North America

83% Acceptance

518 Enrollment

1255 Avg SAT

1890 Founded

68

San Diego

University of San Diego

For Ecology

#336 in United States #387 in North America

52% Acceptance

18,492 Enrollment

1350 Avg SAT

1949 Founded

69

San Diego

California Western School of Law

For Ecology

#1079 in United States #1154 in North America

46% Acceptance

1,006 Enrollment

1370 Avg SAT

1924 Founded

70

Seaside

California State University – Monterey Bay

For Ecology

#385 in United States #437 in North America

97% Acceptance

28,467 Enrollment

1045 Avg SAT

1994 Founded

71

San Diego

Platt College – San Diego

For Ecology

#1224 in United States #1302 in North America

77% Acceptance

3,067 Enrollment

1183 Avg SAT

$29,641 Net Price

72

Riverside

California Baptist University

For Ecology

#1059 in United States #1134 in North America

85% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1350 Avg SAT

1950 Founded

73

Claremont, CA

Claremont Graduate University

For Ecology

#374 in United States #426 in North America

35% Acceptance

18,492 Enrollment

1111 Avg SAT

1925 Founded

74

Oakland

Samuel Merritt University

For Ecology

#1290 in United States #1372 in North America

66% Acceptance

959 Enrollment

1070 Avg SAT

1909 Founded

75

Oakland

For Ecology

#773 in United States #841 in North America

17% Acceptance

9,724 Enrollment

1470 Avg SAT

1852 Founded

76

San Francisco

University of San Francisco

For Ecology

#309 in United States #357 in North America

62% Acceptance

12,326 Enrollment

1290 Avg SAT

1855 Founded

77

Aliso Viejo

Soka University of America

For Ecology

#744 in United States #811 in North America

43% Acceptance

38,313 Enrollment

1422 Avg SAT

2001 Founded

78

Claremont, CA

Claremont McKenna College

For Ecology

#497 in United States #552 in North America

10% Acceptance

1,771 Enrollment

1515 Avg SAT

1946 Founded

79

San Diego

Newschool of Architecture and Design

For Ecology

#781 in United States #849 in North America

100% Acceptance

23,453 Enrollment

1229 Avg SAT

1980 Founded

80

Whittier

Whittier College

For Ecology

#645 in United States #709 in North America

81% Acceptance

23,453 Enrollment

1450 Avg SAT

1887 Founded

81

Stockton

University of the Pacific

For Ecology

#407 in United States #459 in North America

71% Acceptance

15,924 Enrollment

1332 Avg SAT

1851 Founded

82

Rosemead

University of the West

For Ecology

#530 in United States #586 in North America

100% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1450 Avg SAT

1990 Founded

83

Moraga

Saint Mary’s College of California

For Ecology

#566 in United States #625 in North America

87% Acceptance

9,724 Enrollment

1470 Avg SAT

1863 Founded

84

Loma Linda

Loma Linda University

For Ecology

#250 in United States #289 in North America

74% Acceptance

3,665 Enrollment

1100 Avg SAT

1905 Founded

85

Santa Clarita

Master’s University and Seminary

For Ecology

#746 in United States #813 in North America

84% Acceptance

27,636 Enrollment

1525 Avg SAT

1927 Founded

86

San Marcos, CA

California State University – San Marcos

For Ecology

#359 in United States #411 in North America

95% Acceptance

18,492 Enrollment

1350 Avg SAT

1989 Founded

87

San Diego

Thomas Jefferson School of Law

For Ecology

#1174 in United States #1251 in North America

50% Acceptance

1,006 Enrollment

1345 Avg SAT

1969 Founded

88

Santa Barbara

Westmont College

For Ecology

#1097 in United States #1173 in North America

77% Acceptance

38,313 Enrollment

1345 Avg SAT

1937 Founded

89

Claremont, CA

For Ecology

#383 in United States #435 in North America

7% Acceptance

38,313 Enrollment

1525 Avg SAT

1887 Founded

90

Irvine

Concordia University – Irvine

For Ecology

#1120 in United States #1197 in North America

66% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1525 Avg SAT

1976 Founded

91

Redlands

University of Redlands

For Ecology

#690 in United States #755 in North America

83% Acceptance

18,492 Enrollment

1229 Avg SAT

1907 Founded

92

Fullerton

California State University – Fullerton

For Ecology

#238 in United States #275 in North America

91% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1350 Avg SAT

1957 Founded

93

Pleasant Hill

John F. Kennedy University

For Ecology

#281 in United States #324 in North America

100% Acceptance

31,943 Enrollment

1290 Avg SAT

1964 Founded

94

Hayward, CA

California State University – East Bay

For Ecology

#590 in United States #650 in North America

97% Acceptance

31,943 Enrollment

1290 Avg SAT

1957 Founded

95

San Diego

Northcentral University

For Ecology

#1205 in United States #1283 in North America

81% Acceptance

910 Enrollment

1060 Avg SAT

96

San Diego

Point Loma Nazarene University

For Ecology

#1011 in United States #1084 in North America

84% Acceptance

19,212 Enrollment

1270 Avg SAT

1902 Founded

97

Arcata

Humboldt State University

For Ecology

#216 in United States #252 in North America

98% Acceptance

18,258 Enrollment

1175 Avg SAT

1913 Founded

98

Camarillo

California State University – Channel Islands

For Ecology

#786 in United States #854 in North America

95% Acceptance

18,492 Enrollment

1240 Avg SAT

2002 Founded

99

Turlock

California State University – Stanislaus

For Ecology

#654 in United States #718 in North America

98% Acceptance

15,257 Enrollment

1240 Avg SAT

1960 Founded

100

Long Beach, CA

California State University – Long Beach

For Ecology

#247 in United States #285 in North America

46% Acceptance

38,313 Enrollment

1350 Avg SAT

1949 Founded