Academic Index Last updated: June 23, 2026

100 Best Universities in California for History

We ranked the top 100 universities for History in California based on strict academic metrics. Our methodology evaluated 3.45M subject-specific papers and 167.72M 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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1

Berkeley

University of California – Berkeley

For History

#1 in United States #1 in North America

11% Acceptance

26,133 Enrollment

1175 Avg SAT

1868 Founded

2

Stanford

Stanford University

For History

#3 in United States #3 in North America

4% Acceptance

47,335 Enrollment

1545 Avg SAT

1885 Founded

3

Los Angeles

University of California – Los Angeles

For History

#9 in United States #10 in North America

9% Acceptance

37,297 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1919 Founded

4

San Diego

University of California-San Diego

For History

#24 in United States #26 in North America

27% Acceptance

47,335 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1960 Founded

5

Davis

University of California – Davis

For History

#25 in United States #27 in North America

42% Acceptance

25,685 Enrollment

1545 Avg SAT

1905 Founded

6

Los Angeles

University of Southern California

For History

#27 in United States #29 in North America

10% Acceptance

47,335 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1880 Founded

7

Irvine

University of California – Irvine

For History

#41 in United States #45 in North America

29% Acceptance

47,335 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1965 Founded

8

Santa Barbara

University of California – Santa Barbara

For History

#45 in United States #49 in North America

33% Acceptance

45,882 Enrollment

1535 Avg SAT

1921 Founded

9

San Francisco

University of California – San Francisco

For History

#49 in United States #55 in North America

13% Acceptance

2,942 Enrollment

1100 Avg SAT

1864 Founded

10

Pasadena, CA

California Institute of Technology

For History

#59 in United States #71 in North America

3% Acceptance

26,133 Enrollment

1535 Avg SAT

1891 Founded

11

Santa Cruz

University of California – Santa Cruz

For History

#77 in United States #92 in North America

66% Acceptance

45,882 Enrollment

1535 Avg SAT

1965 Founded

12

Riverside

University of California – Riverside

For History

#89 in United States #106 in North America

76% Acceptance

25,685 Enrollment

1175 Avg SAT

1954 Founded

13

San Diego

San Diego State University

For History

#120 in United States #141 in North America

36% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1125 Avg SAT

1897 Founded

14

Monterey

Naval Postgraduate School

For History

#199 in United States #228 in North America

23% Acceptance

837 Enrollment

1335 Avg SAT

1909 Founded

15

Santa Clara, CA

Santa Clara University

For History

#206 in United States #235 in North America

48% Acceptance

37,661 Enrollment

1420 Avg SAT

1851 Founded

16

Los Angeles

Loyola Marymount University

For History

#256 in United States #289 in North America

45% Acceptance

1,006 Enrollment

1345 Avg SAT

1911 Founded

17

Riverside

California Baptist University

For History

#1065 in United States #1140 in North America

85% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1350 Avg SAT

1950 Founded

18

Chico

California State University – Chico

For History

#359 in United States #404 in North America

93% Acceptance

31,943 Enrollment

1290 Avg SAT

1887 Founded

19

Modesto

Modesto Junior College

For History

#1479 in United States #1567 in North America

100% Acceptance

12,949 Enrollment

1450 Avg SAT

20

Fresno

Fresno Pacific University

For History

#1175 in United States #1251 in North America

64% Acceptance

1,874 Enrollment

1470 Avg SAT

1944 Founded

21

Claremont, CA

For History

#609 in United States #667 in North America

25% Acceptance

1,771 Enrollment

1490 Avg SAT

1963 Founded

22

Orange, CA

Chapman University

For History

#311 in United States #350 in North America

65% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1350 Avg SAT

1861 Founded

23

Pleasant Hill

John F. Kennedy University

For History

#275 in United States #310 in North America

100% Acceptance

31,943 Enrollment

1290 Avg SAT

1964 Founded

24

San Diego

Alliant International University – San Diego

For History

#452 in United States #501 in North America

915 Enrollment

1111 Avg SAT

2001 Founded

$25,481 Net Price

25

Costa Mesa

Vanguard University of Southern California

For History

#1009 in United States #1082 in North America

62% Acceptance

15,182 Enrollment

1229 Avg SAT

1920 Founded

26

Whittier

Whittier College

For History

#712 in United States #776 in North America

81% Acceptance

23,453 Enrollment

1450 Avg SAT

1887 Founded

27

Pomona

California State Polytechnic University – Pomona

For History

#333 in United States #375 in North America

75% Acceptance

38,313 Enrollment

1525 Avg SAT

1938 Founded

28

Oakland

Holy Names University

For History

#1394 in United States #1480 in North America

77% Acceptance

1,874 Enrollment

1470 Avg SAT

1868 Founded

29

Los Altos Hills

Foothill College

For History

#1464 in United States #1552 in North America

100% Acceptance

18,258 Enrollment

30

San Rafael

Dominican University of California

For History

#831 in United States #901 in North America

83% Acceptance

518 Enrollment

1255 Avg SAT

1890 Founded

31

San Diego

University of San Diego

For History

#318 in United States #357 in North America

52% Acceptance

18,492 Enrollment

1350 Avg SAT

1949 Founded

32

Berkeley

Graduate Theological Union

For History

#585 in United States #641 in North America

91% Acceptance

124 Enrollment

1265 Avg SAT

33

Seaside

California State University – Monterey Bay

For History

#543 in United States #596 in North America

97% Acceptance

28,467 Enrollment

1045 Avg SAT

1994 Founded

34

Irvine

Brandman University

For History

#1266 in United States #1346 in North America

100% Acceptance

1,771 Enrollment

1515 Avg SAT

2009 Founded

35

Santa Barbara

Westmont College

For History

#843 in United States #913 in North America

77% Acceptance

38,313 Enrollment

1345 Avg SAT

1937 Founded

36

Claremont, CA

Claremont Graduate University

For History

#264 in United States #297 in North America

35% Acceptance

18,492 Enrollment

1111 Avg SAT

1925 Founded

37

Angwin

Pacific Union College

For History

#1475 in United States #1563 in North America

47% Acceptance

5,891 Enrollment

1450 Avg SAT

1882 Founded

38

Santa Monica

Pardee RAND Graduate School

For History

#938 in United States #1011 in North America

13% Acceptance

15,182 Enrollment

1111 Avg SAT

1970 Founded

39

Oakland

For History

#644 in United States #706 in North America

17% Acceptance

9,724 Enrollment

1470 Avg SAT

1852 Founded

40

San Francisco

University of San Francisco

For History

#221 in United States #251 in North America

62% Acceptance

12,326 Enrollment

1290 Avg SAT

1855 Founded

41

Vallejo

California State University Maritime Academy

For History

#449 in United States #498 in North America

95% Acceptance

2,441 Enrollment

1135 Avg SAT

1929 Founded

42

Claremont, CA

Claremont McKenna College

For History

#381 in United States #426 in North America

10% Acceptance

1,771 Enrollment

1515 Avg SAT

1946 Founded

43

San Diego

United States University

For History

#1132 in United States #1207 in North America

100% Acceptance

37,297 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1997 Founded

44

Carpinteria

Pacifica Graduate Institute

For History

#1042 in United States #1116 in North America

75% Acceptance

1,890 Enrollment

1265 Avg SAT

1974 Founded

45

San Diego

Point Loma Nazarene University

For History

#926 in United States #999 in North America

84% Acceptance

19,212 Enrollment

1270 Avg SAT

1902 Founded

46

Stockton

University of the Pacific

For History

#431 in United States #478 in North America

71% Acceptance

15,924 Enrollment

1332 Avg SAT

1851 Founded

47

Belmont, CA

Notre Dame de Namur University

For History

#1144 in United States #1220 in North America

81% Acceptance

1,874 Enrollment

1470 Avg SAT

1851 Founded

48

Burbank

Woodbury University

For History

#997 in United States #1070 in North America

82% Acceptance

1,771 Enrollment

1345 Avg SAT

1884 Founded

49

Moraga

Saint Mary’s College of California

For History

#537 in United States #590 in North America

87% Acceptance

9,724 Enrollment

1470 Avg SAT

1863 Founded

50

Loma Linda

Loma Linda University

For History

#306 in United States #345 in North America

74% Acceptance

3,665 Enrollment

1100 Avg SAT

1905 Founded

51

Santa Monica

Santa Monica College

For History

#1373 in United States #1458 in North America

100% Acceptance

5,592 Enrollment

1240 Avg SAT

52

San Marcos, CA

California State University – San Marcos

For History

#420 in United States #467 in North America

95% Acceptance

18,492 Enrollment

1350 Avg SAT

1989 Founded

53

San Diego

Newschool of Architecture and Design

For History

#706 in United States #770 in North America

100% Acceptance

23,453 Enrollment

1229 Avg SAT

1980 Founded

54

Berkeley

Wright Institute

For History

#976 in United States #1049 in North America

91% Acceptance

1,057 Enrollment

1255 Avg SAT

1969 Founded

55

Pomona

Western University of Health Sciences

For History

#484 in United States #536 in North America

8% Acceptance

3,738 Enrollment

1100 Avg SAT

1977 Founded

56

Claremont, CA

For History

#336 in United States #378 in North America

7% Acceptance

38,313 Enrollment

1525 Avg SAT

1887 Founded

57

Claremont, CA

Keck Graduate Institute

For History

#1028 in United States #1101 in North America

50% Acceptance

44,256 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1997 Founded

58

Riverside

La Sierra University

For History

#899 in United States #971 in North America

91% Acceptance

28,467 Enrollment

1450 Avg SAT

1971 Founded

59

Redlands

University of Redlands

For History

#450 in United States #499 in North America

83% Acceptance

18,492 Enrollment

1229 Avg SAT

1907 Founded

60

Fullerton

California State University – Fullerton

For History

#205 in United States #234 in North America

91% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1350 Avg SAT

1957 Founded

61

Santa Clarita

California Institute of the Arts

For History

#1222 in United States #1299 in North America

32% Acceptance

19,212 Enrollment

1150 Avg SAT

1961 Founded

62

Hayward, CA

California State University – East Bay

For History

#565 in United States #619 in North America

97% Acceptance

31,943 Enrollment

1290 Avg SAT

1957 Founded

63

San Diego

San Diego Mesa College

For History

#1407 in United States #1493 in North America

100% Acceptance

23,453 Enrollment

1229 Avg SAT

64

Bakersfield

Bakersfield College

For History

#1449 in United States #1537 in North America

100% Acceptance

27,248 Enrollment

1265 Avg SAT

65

Thousand Oaks

California Lutheran University

For History

#929 in United States #1002 in North America

76% Acceptance

18,492 Enrollment

1240 Avg SAT

1959 Founded

66

Arcata

Humboldt State University

For History

#302 in United States #341 in North America

98% Acceptance

18,258 Enrollment

1175 Avg SAT

1913 Founded

67

San Anselmo

San Francisco Theological Seminary

For History

#1368 in United States #1453 in North America

91% Acceptance

124 Enrollment

1265 Avg SAT

68

Pasadena, CA

Art Center College of Design

For History

#1418 in United States #1504 in North America

75% Acceptance

19,212 Enrollment

1229 Avg SAT

1930 Founded

69

Turlock

California State University – Stanislaus

For History

#650 in United States #712 in North America

98% Acceptance

15,257 Enrollment

1240 Avg SAT

1960 Founded

70

Long Beach, CA

California State University – Long Beach

For History

#213 in United States #242 in North America

46% Acceptance

38,313 Enrollment

1350 Avg SAT

1949 Founded

71

Santa Barbara

Fielding Graduate University

For History

#776 in United States #844 in North America

82% Acceptance

518 Enrollment

1255 Avg SAT

1974 Founded

72

Carson, CA

California State University – Dominguez Hills

For History

#456 in United States #505 in North America

93% Acceptance

18,492 Enrollment

1240 Avg SAT

1960 Founded

73

San Diego

Thomas Jefferson School of Law

For History

#1118 in United States #1193 in North America

50% Acceptance

1,006 Enrollment

1345 Avg SAT

1969 Founded

74

Los Angeles

Southwestern Law School

For History

#1181 in United States #1257 in North America

31% Acceptance

650 Enrollment

1345 Avg SAT

1911 Founded

75

San Francisco

California Institute of Integral Studies

For History

#813 in United States #883 in North America

90% Acceptance

1,057 Enrollment

1265 Avg SAT

1968 Founded

76

Merced

University of California – Merced

For History

#238 in United States #270 in North America

91% Acceptance

45,882 Enrollment

1175 Avg SAT

2005 Founded

77

Vallejo

Touro University California

For History

#1044 in United States #1118 in North America

1,367 Enrollment

1100 Avg SAT

1997 Founded

78

Oakland

Saybrook University

For History

#629 in United States #689 in North America

85% Acceptance

1,874 Enrollment

1111 Avg SAT

1971 Founded

79

Bakersfield

California State University – Bakersfield

For History

#545 in United States #598 in North America

94% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1965 Founded

80

San Luis Obispo

California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo

For History

#243 in United States #275 in North America

31% Acceptance

27,636 Enrollment

1175 Avg SAT

1901 Founded

81

Culver, CA

Antioch University

For History

#860 in United States #931 in North America

81% Acceptance

1,771 Enrollment

1111 Avg SAT

82

Claremont, CA

Harvey Mudd College

For History

#589 in United States #646 in North America

13% Acceptance

26,133 Enrollment

1535 Avg SAT

1955 Founded

83

San Diego

Northcentral University

For History

#992 in United States #1065 in North America

81% Acceptance

910 Enrollment

1060 Avg SAT

84

Oakland

Samuel Merritt University

For History

#1276 in United States #1357 in North America

66% Acceptance

959 Enrollment

1070 Avg SAT

1909 Founded

85

Palo Alto

Palo Alto University

For History

#444 in United States #493 in North America

12% Acceptance

3,007 Enrollment

1100 Avg SAT

1975 Founded

86

Fresno

California State University – Fresno

For History

#295 in United States #334 in North America

95% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1125 Avg SAT

1911 Founded

87

Berkeley

Church Divinity School of the Pacific

For History

#1421 in United States #1507 in North America

82% Acceptance

124 Enrollment

88

San Diego

California Western School of Law

For History

#868 in United States #939 in North America

46% Acceptance

1,006 Enrollment

1370 Avg SAT

1924 Founded

89

Pasadena, CA

Fuller Theological Seminary

For History

#501 in United States #553 in North America

82% Acceptance

833 Enrollment

1265 Avg SAT

90

Los Angeles

California State University – Northridge

For History

#237 in United States #269 in North America

93% Acceptance

23,163 Enrollment

1525 Avg SAT

1958 Founded

91

Los Angeles

Chicago School of Professional Psychology at Los Angeles

For History

#871 in United States #942 in North America

46% Acceptance

910 Enrollment

1111 Avg SAT

1979 Founded

92

Los Angeles

Occidental College

For History

#438 in United States #486 in North America

44% Acceptance

38,313 Enrollment

1450 Avg SAT

1887 Founded

93

Anaheim

West Coast University – Orange County

For History

#1501 in United States #1589 in North America

100% Acceptance

1,926 Enrollment

1255 Avg SAT

1909 Founded

94

Rosemead

University of the West

For History

#558 in United States #612 in North America

100% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1450 Avg SAT

1990 Founded

95

La Verne

University of La Verne

For History

#798 in United States #867 in North America

71% Acceptance

18,492 Enrollment

1111 Avg SAT

1891 Founded

96

Sacramento

California State University – Sacramento

For History

#305 in United States #344 in North America

94% Acceptance

12,326 Enrollment

1290 Avg SAT

1947 Founded

97

Berkeley

Pacific School of Religion

For History

#1141 in United States #1216 in North America

97% Acceptance

200 Enrollment

1265 Avg SAT

98

Aliso Viejo

Soka University of America

For History

#701 in United States #765 in North America

43% Acceptance

38,313 Enrollment

1422 Avg SAT

2001 Founded

99

La Mirada

Biola University

For History

#667 in United States #730 in North America

74% Acceptance

1,890 Enrollment

1265 Avg SAT

1908 Founded

100

San Francisco

San Francisco State University

For History

#168 in United States #194 in North America

96% Acceptance

5,891 Enrollment

1290 Avg SAT

1899 Founded