Academic Index Last updated: June 23, 2026

83 Best Universities in California for Literature

We ranked the top 83 universities for Literature in California based on strict academic metrics. To determine these leaders, we isolated 3.46M specialized research publications which collectively generated 167.63M citations. This targeted approach bypasses general university reputation, directly revealing the strongest programs.

Active Filters: Literature California Clear All

Ranking Methodology Notice

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Field of Study

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1

Stanford

Stanford University

For Literature

#1 in United States #1 in North America

4% Acceptance

47,335 Enrollment

1545 Avg SAT

1885 Founded

2

Berkeley

University of California – Berkeley

For Literature

#2 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 Literature

#9 in United States #10 in North America

9% Acceptance

37,297 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1919 Founded

4

Los Angeles

University of Southern California

For Literature

#23 in United States #26 in North America

10% Acceptance

47,335 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1880 Founded

5

Santa Barbara

University of California – Santa Barbara

For Literature

#29 in United States #33 in North America

33% Acceptance

45,882 Enrollment

1535 Avg SAT

1921 Founded

6

San Diego

University of California-San Diego

For Literature

#31 in United States #35 in North America

27% Acceptance

47,335 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1960 Founded

7

Davis

University of California – Davis

For Literature

#32 in United States #36 in North America

42% Acceptance

25,685 Enrollment

1545 Avg SAT

1905 Founded

8

Irvine

University of California – Irvine

For Literature

#43 in United States #48 in North America

29% Acceptance

47,335 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1965 Founded

9

Pasadena, CA

California Institute of Technology

For Literature

#48 in United States #55 in North America

3% Acceptance

26,133 Enrollment

1535 Avg SAT

1891 Founded

10

San Francisco

University of California – San Francisco

For Literature

#71 in United States #84 in North America

13% Acceptance

2,942 Enrollment

1100 Avg SAT

1864 Founded

11

Santa Cruz

University of California – Santa Cruz

For Literature

#75 in United States #88 in North America

66% Acceptance

45,882 Enrollment

1535 Avg SAT

1965 Founded

12

Riverside

University of California – Riverside

For Literature

#87 in United States #102 in North America

76% Acceptance

25,685 Enrollment

1175 Avg SAT

1954 Founded

13

San Diego

San Diego State University

For Literature

#112 in United States #133 in North America

36% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1125 Avg SAT

1897 Founded

14

Santa Clara, CA

Santa Clara University

For Literature

#197 in United States #226 in North America

48% Acceptance

37,661 Enrollment

1420 Avg SAT

1851 Founded

15

Los Angeles

Loyola Marymount University

For Literature

#200 in United States #229 in North America

45% Acceptance

1,006 Enrollment

1345 Avg SAT

1911 Founded

16

Monterey

Naval Postgraduate School

For Literature

#332 in United States #370 in North America

23% Acceptance

837 Enrollment

1335 Avg SAT

1909 Founded

17

Santa Clarita

California Institute of the Arts

For Literature

#813 in United States #879 in North America

32% Acceptance

19,212 Enrollment

1150 Avg SAT

1961 Founded

18

Chico

California State University – Chico

For Literature

#405 in United States #448 in North America

93% Acceptance

31,943 Enrollment

1290 Avg SAT

1887 Founded

19

Claremont, CA

For Literature

#590 in United States #648 in North America

25% Acceptance

1,771 Enrollment

1490 Avg SAT

1963 Founded

20

Orange, CA

Chapman University

For Literature

#268 in United States #302 in North America

65% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1350 Avg SAT

1861 Founded

21

Rosemead

University of the West

For Literature

#558 in United States #614 in North America

100% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1450 Avg SAT

1990 Founded

22

San Diego

Alliant International University – San Diego

For Literature

#406 in United States #449 in North America

915 Enrollment

1111 Avg SAT

2001 Founded

$25,481 Net Price

23

Berkeley

Pacific School of Religion

For Literature

#948 in United States #1019 in North America

97% Acceptance

200 Enrollment

1265 Avg SAT

24

Santa Barbara

Fielding Graduate University

For Literature

#413 in United States #456 in North America

82% Acceptance

518 Enrollment

1255 Avg SAT

1974 Founded

25

Pomona

California State Polytechnic University – Pomona

For Literature

#390 in United States #432 in North America

75% Acceptance

38,313 Enrollment

1525 Avg SAT

1938 Founded

26

San Rafael

Dominican University of California

For Literature

#746 in United States #811 in North America

83% Acceptance

518 Enrollment

1255 Avg SAT

1890 Founded

27

San Diego

University of San Diego

For Literature

#327 in United States #365 in North America

52% Acceptance

18,492 Enrollment

1350 Avg SAT

1949 Founded

28

Irvine

Concordia University – Irvine

For Literature

#978 in United States #1049 in North America

66% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1525 Avg SAT

1976 Founded

29

Seaside

California State University – Monterey Bay

For Literature

#747 in United States #813 in North America

97% Acceptance

28,467 Enrollment

1045 Avg SAT

1994 Founded

30

Los Angeles

American Jewish University

For Literature

#739 in United States #804 in North America

71% Acceptance

40 Enrollment

1265 Avg SAT

1947 Founded

31

Culver, CA

Antioch University

For Literature

#593 in United States #651 in North America

81% Acceptance

1,771 Enrollment

1111 Avg SAT

32

Claremont, CA

Claremont Graduate University

For Literature

#224 in United States #255 in North America

35% Acceptance

18,492 Enrollment

1111 Avg SAT

1925 Founded

33

Oakland

For Literature

#495 in United States #545 in North America

17% Acceptance

9,724 Enrollment

1470 Avg SAT

1852 Founded

34

San Francisco

University of San Francisco

For Literature

#248 in United States #282 in North America

62% Acceptance

12,326 Enrollment

1290 Avg SAT

1855 Founded

35

Camarillo

California State University – Channel Islands

For Literature

#808 in United States #874 in North America

95% Acceptance

18,492 Enrollment

1240 Avg SAT

2002 Founded

36

Claremont, CA

Claremont McKenna College

For Literature

#414 in United States #457 in North America

10% Acceptance

1,771 Enrollment

1515 Avg SAT

1946 Founded

37

Whittier

Whittier College

For Literature

#822 in United States #889 in North America

81% Acceptance

23,453 Enrollment

1450 Avg SAT

1887 Founded

38

Stockton

University of the Pacific

For Literature

#492 in United States #542 in North America

71% Acceptance

15,924 Enrollment

1332 Avg SAT

1851 Founded

39

Moraga

Saint Mary’s College of California

For Literature

#620 in United States #678 in North America

87% Acceptance

9,724 Enrollment

1470 Avg SAT

1863 Founded

40

Fullerton

California State University – Fullerton

For Literature

#154 in United States #179 in North America

91% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1350 Avg SAT

1957 Founded

41

Burbank

Woodbury University

For Literature

#922 in United States #993 in North America

82% Acceptance

1,771 Enrollment

1345 Avg SAT

1884 Founded

42

San Marcos, CA

California State University – San Marcos

For Literature

#453 in United States #500 in North America

95% Acceptance

18,492 Enrollment

1350 Avg SAT

1989 Founded

43

Santa Barbara

Westmont College

For Literature

#615 in United States #673 in North America

77% Acceptance

38,313 Enrollment

1345 Avg SAT

1937 Founded

44

Claremont, CA

For Literature

#305 in United States #341 in North America

7% Acceptance

38,313 Enrollment

1525 Avg SAT

1887 Founded

45

Redlands

University of Redlands

For Literature

#553 in United States #609 in North America

83% Acceptance

18,492 Enrollment

1229 Avg SAT

1907 Founded

46

Long Beach, CA

California State University – Long Beach

For Literature

#164 in United States #191 in North America

46% Acceptance

38,313 Enrollment

1350 Avg SAT

1949 Founded

47

Oakland

Saybrook University

For Literature

#649 in United States #708 in North America

85% Acceptance

1,874 Enrollment

1111 Avg SAT

1971 Founded

48

Hayward, CA

California State University – East Bay

For Literature

#511 in United States #562 in North America

97% Acceptance

31,943 Enrollment

1290 Avg SAT

1957 Founded

49

San Diego

Point Loma Nazarene University

For Literature

#737 in United States #802 in North America

84% Acceptance

19,212 Enrollment

1270 Avg SAT

1902 Founded

50

Arcata

Humboldt State University

For Literature

#345 in United States #383 in North America

98% Acceptance

18,258 Enrollment

1175 Avg SAT

1913 Founded

51

Turlock

California State University – Stanislaus

For Literature

#681 in United States #741 in North America

98% Acceptance

15,257 Enrollment

1240 Avg SAT

1960 Founded

52

San Luis Obispo

California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo

For Literature

#258 in United States #292 in North America

31% Acceptance

27,636 Enrollment

1175 Avg SAT

1901 Founded

53

Aliso Viejo

Soka University of America

For Literature

#837 in United States #905 in North America

43% Acceptance

38,313 Enrollment

1422 Avg SAT

2001 Founded

54

Carson, CA

California State University – Dominguez Hills

For Literature

#400 in United States #442 in North America

93% Acceptance

18,492 Enrollment

1240 Avg SAT

1960 Founded

55

Pomona

Western University of Health Sciences

For Literature

#669 in United States #728 in North America

8% Acceptance

3,738 Enrollment

1100 Avg SAT

1977 Founded

56

Merced

University of California – Merced

For Literature

#265 in United States #299 in North America

91% Acceptance

45,882 Enrollment

1175 Avg SAT

2005 Founded

57

Bakersfield

California State University – Bakersfield

For Literature

#654 in United States #713 in North America

94% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1965 Founded

58

Los Angeles

California State University – Northridge

For Literature

#232 in United States #263 in North America

93% Acceptance

23,163 Enrollment

1525 Avg SAT

1958 Founded

59

Santa Clarita

Master’s University and Seminary

For Literature

#720 in United States #784 in North America

84% Acceptance

27,636 Enrollment

1525 Avg SAT

1927 Founded

60

Claremont, CA

Harvey Mudd College

For Literature

#665 in United States #724 in North America

13% Acceptance

26,133 Enrollment

1535 Avg SAT

1955 Founded

61

Thousand Oaks

California Lutheran University

For Literature

#901 in United States #972 in North America

76% Acceptance

18,492 Enrollment

1240 Avg SAT

1959 Founded

62

Fresno

California State University – Fresno

For Literature

#357 in United States #396 in North America

95% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1125 Avg SAT

1911 Founded

63

Pasadena, CA

Fuller Theological Seminary

For Literature

#361 in United States #400 in North America

82% Acceptance

833 Enrollment

1265 Avg SAT

64

San Francisco

San Francisco State University

For Literature

#179 in United States #208 in North America

96% Acceptance

5,891 Enrollment

1290 Avg SAT

1899 Founded

65

Pleasant Hill

John F. Kennedy University

For Literature

#356 in United States #395 in North America

100% Acceptance

31,943 Enrollment

1290 Avg SAT

1964 Founded

66

Los Angeles

Occidental College

For Literature

#460 in United States #508 in North America

44% Acceptance

38,313 Enrollment

1450 Avg SAT

1887 Founded

67

San Francisco

California Institute of Integral Studies

For Literature

#642 in United States #701 in North America

90% Acceptance

1,057 Enrollment

1265 Avg SAT

1968 Founded

68

Sacramento

California State University – Sacramento

For Literature

#285 in United States #320 in North America

94% Acceptance

12,326 Enrollment

1290 Avg SAT

1947 Founded

69

La Mirada

Biola University

For Literature

#421 in United States #464 in North America

74% Acceptance

1,890 Enrollment

1265 Avg SAT

1908 Founded

70

San Jose, CA

San Jose State University

For Literature

#133 in United States #157 in North America

85% Acceptance

22,563 Enrollment

1420 Avg SAT

1857 Founded

71

Berkeley

Graduate Theological Union

For Literature

#586 in United States #644 in North America

91% Acceptance

124 Enrollment

1265 Avg SAT

72

Rohnert Park

Sonoma State University

For Literature

#449 in United States #496 in North America

93% Acceptance

22,563 Enrollment

1450 Avg SAT

1960 Founded

73

La Verne

University of La Verne

For Literature

#733 in United States #798 in North America

71% Acceptance

18,492 Enrollment

1111 Avg SAT

1891 Founded

74

Los Angeles

California State University – Los Angeles

For Literature

#246 in United States #280 in North America

91% Acceptance

38,313 Enrollment

1350 Avg SAT

1947 Founded

75

San Francisco

Golden Gate University – San Francisco

For Literature

#880 in United States #950 in North America

83% Acceptance

28,313 Enrollment

1340 Avg SAT

1901 Founded

76

San Diego

Newschool of Architecture and Design

For Literature

#893 in United States #964 in North America

100% Acceptance

23,453 Enrollment

1229 Avg SAT

1980 Founded

77

Vallejo

California State University Maritime Academy

For Literature

#806 in United States #872 in North America

95% Acceptance

2,441 Enrollment

1135 Avg SAT

1929 Founded

78

San Bernardino

California State University – San Bernardino

For Literature

#319 in United States #355 in North America

94% Acceptance

16,237 Enrollment

1240 Avg SAT

1960 Founded

79

Claremont, CA

Scripps College

For Literature

#594 in United States #652 in North America

38% Acceptance

23,453 Enrollment

1490 Avg SAT

1926 Founded

80

Malibu

Pepperdine University

For Literature

#354 in United States #393 in North America

63% Acceptance

1,006 Enrollment

1370 Avg SAT

1937 Founded

81

Carpinteria

Pacifica Graduate Institute

For Literature

#752 in United States #818 in North America

75% Acceptance

1,890 Enrollment

1265 Avg SAT

1974 Founded

82

Azusa

Azusa Pacific University

For Literature

#504 in United States #555 in North America

88% Acceptance

910 Enrollment

1111 Avg SAT

1899 Founded

83

Berkeley

Church Divinity School of the Pacific

For Literature

#994 in United States #1066 in North America

82% Acceptance

124 Enrollment