Academic Index Last updated: June 23, 2026

95 Best Universities in California for Economics

We ranked the top 95 universities for Economics in California based on strict academic metrics. Our methodology evaluated 361.9K subject-specific papers and 16.82M citations to find the strongest faculties. This targeted approach bypasses general university reputation, directly revealing the strongest programs.

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Ranking Methodology Notice

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Field of Study

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1

Stanford

Stanford University

For Economics

#2 in United States #2 in North America

4% Acceptance

47,335 Enrollment

1545 Avg SAT

1885 Founded

2

Berkeley

University of California – Berkeley

For Economics

#4 in United States #4 in North America

11% Acceptance

26,133 Enrollment

1175 Avg SAT

1868 Founded

3

Los Angeles

University of California – Los Angeles

For Economics

#13 in United States #14 in North America

9% Acceptance

37,297 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1919 Founded

4

Los Angeles

University of Southern California

For Economics

#24 in United States #26 in North America

10% Acceptance

47,335 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1880 Founded

5

San Diego

University of California-San Diego

For Economics

#28 in United States #30 in North America

27% Acceptance

47,335 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1960 Founded

6

Davis

University of California – Davis

For Economics

#34 in United States #36 in North America

42% Acceptance

25,685 Enrollment

1545 Avg SAT

1905 Founded

7

San Francisco

University of California – San Francisco

For Economics

#36 in United States #38 in North America

13% Acceptance

2,942 Enrollment

1100 Avg SAT

1864 Founded

8

Irvine

University of California – Irvine

For Economics

#48 in United States #53 in North America

29% Acceptance

47,335 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1965 Founded

9

Santa Barbara

University of California – Santa Barbara

For Economics

#59 in United States #68 in North America

33% Acceptance

45,882 Enrollment

1535 Avg SAT

1921 Founded

10

Pasadena, CA

California Institute of Technology

For Economics

#79 in United States #92 in North America

3% Acceptance

26,133 Enrollment

1535 Avg SAT

1891 Founded

11

Santa Cruz

University of California – Santa Cruz

For Economics

#89 in United States #102 in North America

66% Acceptance

45,882 Enrollment

1535 Avg SAT

1965 Founded

12

Riverside

University of California – Riverside

For Economics

#107 in United States #125 in North America

76% Acceptance

25,685 Enrollment

1175 Avg SAT

1954 Founded

13

San Diego

San Diego State University

For Economics

#119 in United States #137 in North America

36% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1125 Avg SAT

1897 Founded

14

Pleasant Hill

John F. Kennedy University

For Economics

#166 in United States #191 in North America

100% Acceptance

31,943 Enrollment

1290 Avg SAT

1964 Founded

15

Santa Clara, CA

Santa Clara University

For Economics

#167 in United States #192 in North America

48% Acceptance

37,661 Enrollment

1420 Avg SAT

1851 Founded

16

San Jose, CA

San Jose State University

For Economics

#181 in United States #207 in North America

85% Acceptance

22,563 Enrollment

1420 Avg SAT

1857 Founded

17

Long Beach, CA

California State University – Long Beach

For Economics

#193 in United States #220 in North America

46% Acceptance

38,313 Enrollment

1350 Avg SAT

1949 Founded

18

Fullerton

California State University – Fullerton

For Economics

#194 in United States #222 in North America

91% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1350 Avg SAT

1957 Founded

19

San Francisco

San Francisco State University

For Economics

#200 in United States #228 in North America

96% Acceptance

5,891 Enrollment

1290 Avg SAT

1899 Founded

20

Monterey

Naval Postgraduate School

For Economics

#221 in United States #251 in North America

23% Acceptance

837 Enrollment

1335 Avg SAT

1909 Founded

21

San Francisco

University of San Francisco

For Economics

#229 in United States #260 in North America

62% Acceptance

12,326 Enrollment

1290 Avg SAT

1855 Founded

22

Los Angeles

Loyola Marymount University

For Economics

#243 in United States #274 in North America

45% Acceptance

1,006 Enrollment

1345 Avg SAT

1911 Founded

23

Claremont, CA

Claremont Graduate University

For Economics

#252 in United States #283 in North America

35% Acceptance

18,492 Enrollment

1111 Avg SAT

1925 Founded

24

San Diego

University of San Diego

For Economics

#255 in United States #286 in North America

52% Acceptance

18,492 Enrollment

1350 Avg SAT

1949 Founded

25

San Luis Obispo

California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo

For Economics

#256 in United States #287 in North America

31% Acceptance

27,636 Enrollment

1175 Avg SAT

1901 Founded

26

Los Angeles

California State University – Northridge

For Economics

#260 in United States #292 in North America

93% Acceptance

23,163 Enrollment

1525 Avg SAT

1958 Founded

27

Claremont, CA

For Economics

#264 in United States #296 in North America

7% Acceptance

38,313 Enrollment

1525 Avg SAT

1887 Founded

28

Orange, CA

Chapman University

For Economics

#265 in United States #297 in North America

65% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1350 Avg SAT

1861 Founded

29

Los Angeles

California State University – Los Angeles

For Economics

#276 in United States #309 in North America

91% Acceptance

38,313 Enrollment

1350 Avg SAT

1947 Founded

30

Malibu

Pepperdine University

For Economics

#284 in United States #317 in North America

63% Acceptance

1,006 Enrollment

1370 Avg SAT

1937 Founded

31

Claremont, CA

Claremont McKenna College

For Economics

#290 in United States #325 in North America

10% Acceptance

1,771 Enrollment

1515 Avg SAT

1946 Founded

32

Merced

University of California – Merced

For Economics

#303 in United States #339 in North America

91% Acceptance

45,882 Enrollment

1175 Avg SAT

2005 Founded

33

Sacramento

California State University – Sacramento

For Economics

#309 in United States #345 in North America

94% Acceptance

12,326 Enrollment

1290 Avg SAT

1947 Founded

34

Fresno

California State University – Fresno

For Economics

#310 in United States #346 in North America

95% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1125 Avg SAT

1911 Founded

35

Arcata

Humboldt State University

For Economics

#311 in United States #347 in North America

98% Acceptance

18,258 Enrollment

1175 Avg SAT

1913 Founded

36

Pomona

California State Polytechnic University – Pomona

For Economics

#316 in United States #352 in North America

75% Acceptance

38,313 Enrollment

1525 Avg SAT

1938 Founded

37

San Bernardino

California State University – San Bernardino

For Economics

#369 in United States #409 in North America

94% Acceptance

16,237 Enrollment

1240 Avg SAT

1960 Founded

38

Palo Alto

Palo Alto University

For Economics

#371 in United States #411 in North America

12% Acceptance

3,007 Enrollment

1100 Avg SAT

1975 Founded

39

Stockton

University of the Pacific

For Economics

#413 in United States #456 in North America

71% Acceptance

15,924 Enrollment

1332 Avg SAT

1851 Founded

40

Carson, CA

California State University – Dominguez Hills

For Economics

#423 in United States #466 in North America

93% Acceptance

18,492 Enrollment

1240 Avg SAT

1960 Founded

41

Chico

California State University – Chico

For Economics

#431 in United States #474 in North America

93% Acceptance

31,943 Enrollment

1290 Avg SAT

1887 Founded

42

Hayward, CA

California State University – East Bay

For Economics

#449 in United States #493 in North America

97% Acceptance

31,943 Enrollment

1290 Avg SAT

1957 Founded

43

San Marcos, CA

California State University – San Marcos

For Economics

#462 in United States #508 in North America

95% Acceptance

18,492 Enrollment

1350 Avg SAT

1989 Founded

44

Los Angeles

Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science

For Economics

#470 in United States #518 in North America

39% Acceptance

1,144 Enrollment

1100 Avg SAT

1966 Founded

45

Rohnert Park

Sonoma State University

For Economics

#479 in United States #528 in North America

93% Acceptance

22,563 Enrollment

1450 Avg SAT

1960 Founded

46

Los Angeles

Occidental College

For Economics

#498 in United States #547 in North America

44% Acceptance

38,313 Enrollment

1450 Avg SAT

1887 Founded

47

San Francisco

Golden Gate University – San Francisco

For Economics

#506 in United States #556 in North America

83% Acceptance

28,313 Enrollment

1340 Avg SAT

1901 Founded

48

San Diego

Alliant International University – San Diego

For Economics

#509 in United States #560 in North America

915 Enrollment

1111 Avg SAT

2001 Founded

$25,481 Net Price

49

Pomona

Western University of Health Sciences

For Economics

#525 in United States #576 in North America

8% Acceptance

3,738 Enrollment

1100 Avg SAT

1977 Founded

50

Seaside

California State University – Monterey Bay

For Economics

#542 in United States #595 in North America

97% Acceptance

28,467 Enrollment

1045 Avg SAT

1994 Founded

51

Bakersfield

California State University – Bakersfield

For Economics

#555 in United States #609 in North America

94% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1965 Founded

52

Redlands

University of Redlands

For Economics

#560 in United States #614 in North America

83% Acceptance

18,492 Enrollment

1229 Avg SAT

1907 Founded

53

Oakland

For Economics

#562 in United States #616 in North America

17% Acceptance

9,724 Enrollment

1470 Avg SAT

1852 Founded

54

Moraga

Saint Mary’s College of California

For Economics

#568 in United States #622 in North America

87% Acceptance

9,724 Enrollment

1470 Avg SAT

1863 Founded

55

Rosemead

University of the West

For Economics

#571 in United States #625 in North America

100% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1450 Avg SAT

1990 Founded

56

Vallejo

California State University Maritime Academy

For Economics

#573 in United States #628 in North America

95% Acceptance

2,441 Enrollment

1135 Avg SAT

1929 Founded

57

Azusa

Azusa Pacific University

For Economics

#599 in United States #655 in North America

88% Acceptance

910 Enrollment

1111 Avg SAT

1899 Founded

58

Claremont, CA

Harvey Mudd College

For Economics

#635 in United States #694 in North America

13% Acceptance

26,133 Enrollment

1535 Avg SAT

1955 Founded

59

Santa Barbara

Fielding Graduate University

For Economics

#640 in United States #701 in North America

82% Acceptance

518 Enrollment

1255 Avg SAT

1974 Founded

60

Turlock

California State University – Stanislaus

For Economics

#648 in United States #709 in North America

98% Acceptance

15,257 Enrollment

1240 Avg SAT

1960 Founded

61

Santa Monica

Pardee RAND Graduate School

For Economics

#653 in United States #714 in North America

13% Acceptance

15,182 Enrollment

1111 Avg SAT

1970 Founded

62

Aliso Viejo

Soka University of America

For Economics

#706 in United States #768 in North America

43% Acceptance

38,313 Enrollment

1422 Avg SAT

2001 Founded

63

Claremont, CA

Scripps College

For Economics

#716 in United States #779 in North America

38% Acceptance

23,453 Enrollment

1490 Avg SAT

1926 Founded

64

La Verne

University of La Verne

For Economics

#719 in United States #783 in North America

71% Acceptance

18,492 Enrollment

1111 Avg SAT

1891 Founded

65

San Rafael

Dominican University of California

For Economics

#732 in United States #797 in North America

83% Acceptance

518 Enrollment

1255 Avg SAT

1890 Founded

66

Claremont, CA

For Economics

#734 in United States #799 in North America

25% Acceptance

1,771 Enrollment

1490 Avg SAT

1963 Founded

67

Whittier

Whittier College

For Economics

#753 in United States #819 in North America

81% Acceptance

23,453 Enrollment

1450 Avg SAT

1887 Founded

68

San Diego

California Western School of Law

For Economics

#768 in United States #835 in North America

46% Acceptance

1,006 Enrollment

1370 Avg SAT

1924 Founded

69

Vallejo

Touro University California

For Economics

#800 in United States #869 in North America

1,367 Enrollment

1100 Avg SAT

1997 Founded

70

Camarillo

California State University – Channel Islands

For Economics

#807 in United States #877 in North America

95% Acceptance

18,492 Enrollment

1240 Avg SAT

2002 Founded

71

La Mirada

Biola University

For Economics

#808 in United States #878 in North America

74% Acceptance

1,890 Enrollment

1265 Avg SAT

1908 Founded

72

Culver, CA

Antioch University

For Economics

#835 in United States #905 in North America

81% Acceptance

1,771 Enrollment

1111 Avg SAT

73

Atherton

For Economics

#851 in United States #922 in North America

68% Acceptance

1,771 Enrollment

1370 Avg SAT

1927 Founded

74

San Diego

United States University

For Economics

#852 in United States #923 in North America

100% Acceptance

37,297 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1997 Founded

75

San Diego

Thomas Jefferson School of Law

For Economics

#858 in United States #929 in North America

50% Acceptance

1,006 Enrollment

1345 Avg SAT

1969 Founded

76

San Diego

Newschool of Architecture and Design

For Economics

#869 in United States #940 in North America

100% Acceptance

23,453 Enrollment

1229 Avg SAT

1980 Founded

77

Santa Clarita

Master’s University and Seminary

For Economics

#873 in United States #944 in North America

84% Acceptance

27,636 Enrollment

1525 Avg SAT

1927 Founded

78

Cypress

Trident University International

For Economics

#899 in United States #970 in North America

69% Acceptance

9,489 Enrollment

1111 Avg SAT

$13,916 Net Price

79

Irvine

Brandman University

For Economics

#902 in United States #973 in North America

100% Acceptance

1,771 Enrollment

1515 Avg SAT

2009 Founded

80

Thousand Oaks

California Lutheran University

For Economics

#917 in United States #988 in North America

76% Acceptance

18,492 Enrollment

1240 Avg SAT

1959 Founded

81

San Diego

Ashford University

For Economics

#927 in United States #998 in North America

100% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1125 Avg SAT

$32,265 Net Price

82

Claremont, CA

Keck Graduate Institute

For Economics

#931 in United States #1002 in North America

50% Acceptance

44,256 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1997 Founded

83

Los Angeles

Chicago School of Professional Psychology at Los Angeles

For Economics

#958 in United States #1030 in North America

46% Acceptance

910 Enrollment

1111 Avg SAT

1979 Founded

84

Oakland

Saybrook University

For Economics

#961 in United States #1033 in North America

85% Acceptance

1,874 Enrollment

1111 Avg SAT

1971 Founded

85

San Diego

Northcentral University

For Economics

#964 in United States #1036 in North America

81% Acceptance

910 Enrollment

1060 Avg SAT

86

San Francisco

California Institute of Integral Studies

For Economics

#965 in United States #1037 in North America

90% Acceptance

1,057 Enrollment

1265 Avg SAT

1968 Founded

87

Oakland

Samuel Merritt University

For Economics

#971 in United States #1043 in North America

66% Acceptance

959 Enrollment

1070 Avg SAT

1909 Founded

88

San Diego

Point Loma Nazarene University

For Economics

#973 in United States #1045 in North America

84% Acceptance

19,212 Enrollment

1270 Avg SAT

1902 Founded

89

Riverside

California Baptist University

For Economics

#1027 in United States #1101 in North America

85% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1350 Avg SAT

1950 Founded

90

Los Angeles

Southwestern Law School

For Economics

#1038 in United States #1112 in North America

31% Acceptance

650 Enrollment

1345 Avg SAT

1911 Founded

91

Burbank

Woodbury University

For Economics

#1051 in United States #1126 in North America

82% Acceptance

1,771 Enrollment

1345 Avg SAT

1884 Founded

92

Riverside

La Sierra University

For Economics

#1114 in United States #1190 in North America

91% Acceptance

28,467 Enrollment

1450 Avg SAT

1971 Founded

93

Santa Barbara

Westmont College

For Economics

#1190 in United States #1267 in North America

77% Acceptance

38,313 Enrollment

1345 Avg SAT

1937 Founded

94

Anaheim

West Coast University – Orange County

For Economics

#1219 in United States #1296 in North America

100% Acceptance

1,926 Enrollment

1255 Avg SAT

1909 Founded

95

Whittier

Southern California University of Health Sciences

For Economics

#1259 in United States #1337 in North America

100% Acceptance

959 Enrollment

$51,174 Net Price