Academic Index Last updated: June 23, 2026

97 Best Universities in California for Neuroscience

If you are looking to study Neuroscience in California, our index highlights the top 97 domain-leading institutions. To determine these leaders, we isolated 3.53M specialized research publications which collectively generated 170.63M citations. This targeted approach bypasses general university reputation, directly revealing the strongest programs.

Active Filters: Neuroscience California Clear All

Ranking Methodology Notice

Filter

Field of Study

Sub-Branch

1

Stanford

Stanford University

For Neuroscience

#3 in United States #3 in North America

4% Acceptance

47,335 Enrollment

1545 Avg SAT

1885 Founded

2

San Francisco

University of California – San Francisco

For Neuroscience

#5 in United States #6 in North America

13% Acceptance

2,942 Enrollment

1100 Avg SAT

1864 Founded

3

Los Angeles

University of California – Los Angeles

For Neuroscience

#7 in United States #8 in North America

9% Acceptance

37,297 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1919 Founded

4

San Diego

University of California-San Diego

For Neuroscience

#9 in United States #10 in North America

27% Acceptance

47,335 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1960 Founded

5

Berkeley

University of California – Berkeley

For Neuroscience

#20 in United States #23 in North America

11% Acceptance

26,133 Enrollment

1175 Avg SAT

1868 Founded

6

Irvine

University of California – Irvine

For Neuroscience

#22 in United States #25 in North America

29% Acceptance

47,335 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1965 Founded

7

Los Angeles

University of Southern California

For Neuroscience

#25 in United States #28 in North America

10% Acceptance

47,335 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1880 Founded

8

Davis

University of California – Davis

For Neuroscience

#31 in United States #34 in North America

42% Acceptance

25,685 Enrollment

1545 Avg SAT

1905 Founded

9

Pasadena, CA

California Institute of Technology

For Neuroscience

#56 in United States #63 in North America

3% Acceptance

26,133 Enrollment

1535 Avg SAT

1891 Founded

10

Santa Barbara

University of California – Santa Barbara

For Neuroscience

#91 in United States #103 in North America

33% Acceptance

45,882 Enrollment

1535 Avg SAT

1921 Founded

11

Riverside

University of California – Riverside

For Neuroscience

#118 in United States #135 in North America

76% Acceptance

25,685 Enrollment

1175 Avg SAT

1954 Founded

12

San Diego

San Diego State University

For Neuroscience

#133 in United States #153 in North America

36% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1125 Avg SAT

1897 Founded

13

Santa Cruz

University of California – Santa Cruz

For Neuroscience

#144 in United States #166 in North America

66% Acceptance

45,882 Enrollment

1535 Avg SAT

1965 Founded

14

Santa Clara, CA

Santa Clara University

For Neuroscience

#318 in United States #353 in North America

48% Acceptance

37,661 Enrollment

1420 Avg SAT

1851 Founded

15

Los Angeles

Loyola Marymount University

For Neuroscience

#395 in United States #438 in North America

45% Acceptance

1,006 Enrollment

1345 Avg SAT

1911 Founded

16

Monterey

Naval Postgraduate School

For Neuroscience

#428 in United States #472 in North America

23% Acceptance

837 Enrollment

1335 Avg SAT

1909 Founded

17

Riverside

California Baptist University

For Neuroscience

#1123 in United States #1195 in North America

85% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1350 Avg SAT

1950 Founded

18

Rohnert Park

Sonoma State University

For Neuroscience

#564 in United States #616 in North America

93% Acceptance

22,563 Enrollment

1450 Avg SAT

1960 Founded

19

Claremont, CA

Scripps College

For Neuroscience

#606 in United States #660 in North America

38% Acceptance

23,453 Enrollment

1490 Avg SAT

1926 Founded

20

Los Angeles

California State University – Los Angeles

For Neuroscience

#292 in United States #327 in North America

91% Acceptance

38,313 Enrollment

1350 Avg SAT

1947 Founded

21

Aliso Viejo

Soka University of America

For Neuroscience

#981 in United States #1049 in North America

43% Acceptance

38,313 Enrollment

1422 Avg SAT

2001 Founded

22

San Francisco

Golden Gate University – San Francisco

For Neuroscience

#919 in United States #986 in North America

83% Acceptance

28,313 Enrollment

1340 Avg SAT

1901 Founded

23

San Jose, CA

San Jose State University

For Neuroscience

#222 in United States #250 in North America

85% Acceptance

22,563 Enrollment

1420 Avg SAT

1857 Founded

24

Whittier

Whittier College

For Neuroscience

#764 in United States #822 in North America

81% Acceptance

23,453 Enrollment

1450 Avg SAT

1887 Founded

25

San Bernardino

California State University – San Bernardino

For Neuroscience

#310 in United States #345 in North America

94% Acceptance

16,237 Enrollment

1240 Avg SAT

1960 Founded

26

Los Angeles

Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science

For Neuroscience

#375 in United States #417 in North America

39% Acceptance

1,144 Enrollment

1100 Avg SAT

1966 Founded

27

Malibu

Pepperdine University

For Neuroscience

#416 in United States #459 in North America

63% Acceptance

1,006 Enrollment

1370 Avg SAT

1937 Founded

28

Santa Clarita

Master’s University and Seminary

For Neuroscience

#748 in United States #806 in North America

84% Acceptance

27,636 Enrollment

1525 Avg SAT

1927 Founded

29

Azusa

Azusa Pacific University

For Neuroscience

#580 in United States #633 in North America

88% Acceptance

910 Enrollment

1111 Avg SAT

1899 Founded

30

San Diego

Southern States University

For Neuroscience

#1114 in United States #1186 in North America

95% Acceptance

41,137 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

$2,640 Net Price

31

Santa Barbara

Westmont College

For Neuroscience

#758 in United States #816 in North America

77% Acceptance

38,313 Enrollment

1345 Avg SAT

1937 Founded

32

Chico

California State University – Chico

For Neuroscience

#500 in United States #549 in North America

93% Acceptance

31,943 Enrollment

1290 Avg SAT

1887 Founded

33

Claremont, CA

For Neuroscience

#555 in United States #607 in North America

25% Acceptance

1,771 Enrollment

1490 Avg SAT

1963 Founded

34

Orange, CA

Chapman University

For Neuroscience

#303 in United States #338 in North America

65% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1350 Avg SAT

1861 Founded

35

Pleasant Hill

John F. Kennedy University

For Neuroscience

#488 in United States #537 in North America

100% Acceptance

31,943 Enrollment

1290 Avg SAT

1964 Founded

36

San Diego

Alliant International University – San Diego

For Neuroscience

#340 in United States #376 in North America

915 Enrollment

1111 Avg SAT

2001 Founded

$25,481 Net Price

37

San Diego

United States University

For Neuroscience

#763 in United States #821 in North America

100% Acceptance

37,297 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1997 Founded

38

San Diego

Point Loma Nazarene University

For Neuroscience

#878 in United States #944 in North America

84% Acceptance

19,212 Enrollment

1270 Avg SAT

1902 Founded

39

Pomona

California State Polytechnic University – Pomona

For Neuroscience

#442 in United States #486 in North America

75% Acceptance

38,313 Enrollment

1525 Avg SAT

1938 Founded

40

San Rafael

Dominican University of California

For Neuroscience

#668 in United States #724 in North America

83% Acceptance

518 Enrollment

1255 Avg SAT

1890 Founded

41

San Diego

University of San Diego

For Neuroscience

#320 in United States #355 in North America

52% Acceptance

18,492 Enrollment

1350 Avg SAT

1949 Founded

42

Berkeley

Graduate Theological Union

For Neuroscience

#581 in United States #634 in North America

91% Acceptance

124 Enrollment

1265 Avg SAT

43

Seaside

California State University – Monterey Bay

For Neuroscience

#754 in United States #812 in North America

97% Acceptance

28,467 Enrollment

1045 Avg SAT

1994 Founded

44

San Diego

Northcentral University

For Neuroscience

#959 in United States #1027 in North America

81% Acceptance

910 Enrollment

1060 Avg SAT

45

San Diego

Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute

For Neuroscience

#183 in United States #208 in North America

76% Acceptance

281 Enrollment

1245 Avg SAT

46

Claremont, CA

Claremont Graduate University

For Neuroscience

#296 in United States #331 in North America

35% Acceptance

18,492 Enrollment

1111 Avg SAT

1925 Founded

47

Carpinteria

Pacifica Graduate Institute

For Neuroscience

#1092 in United States #1164 in North America

75% Acceptance

1,890 Enrollment

1265 Avg SAT

1974 Founded

48

Oakland

For Neuroscience

#703 in United States #759 in North America

17% Acceptance

9,724 Enrollment

1470 Avg SAT

1852 Founded

49

San Francisco

University of San Francisco

For Neuroscience

#343 in United States #379 in North America

62% Acceptance

12,326 Enrollment

1290 Avg SAT

1855 Founded

50

Vallejo

California State University Maritime Academy

For Neuroscience

#846 in United States #909 in North America

95% Acceptance

2,441 Enrollment

1135 Avg SAT

1929 Founded

51

Claremont, CA

Claremont McKenna College

For Neuroscience

#410 in United States #453 in North America

10% Acceptance

1,771 Enrollment

1515 Avg SAT

1946 Founded

52

Whittier

Southern California University of Health Sciences

For Neuroscience

#947 in United States #1015 in North America

100% Acceptance

959 Enrollment

$51,174 Net Price

53

Pomona

Western University of Health Sciences

For Neuroscience

#254 in United States #284 in North America

8% Acceptance

3,738 Enrollment

1100 Avg SAT

1977 Founded

54

Stockton

University of the Pacific

For Neuroscience

#399 in United States #442 in North America

71% Acceptance

15,924 Enrollment

1332 Avg SAT

1851 Founded

55

Berkeley

Wright Institute

For Neuroscience

#618 in United States #672 in North America

91% Acceptance

1,057 Enrollment

1255 Avg SAT

1969 Founded

56

Moraga

Saint Mary’s College of California

For Neuroscience

#794 in United States #853 in North America

87% Acceptance

9,724 Enrollment

1470 Avg SAT

1863 Founded

57

Loma Linda

Loma Linda University

For Neuroscience

#153 in United States #175 in North America

74% Acceptance

3,665 Enrollment

1100 Avg SAT

1905 Founded

58

Santa Barbara

Fielding Graduate University

For Neuroscience

#444 in United States #488 in North America

82% Acceptance

518 Enrollment

1255 Avg SAT

1974 Founded

59

San Marcos, CA

California State University – San Marcos

For Neuroscience

#391 in United States #434 in North America

95% Acceptance

18,492 Enrollment

1350 Avg SAT

1989 Founded

60

Anaheim

West Coast University – Orange County

For Neuroscience

#1104 in United States #1176 in North America

100% Acceptance

1,926 Enrollment

1255 Avg SAT

1909 Founded

61

Thousand Oaks

California Lutheran University

For Neuroscience

#894 in United States #961 in North America

76% Acceptance

18,492 Enrollment

1240 Avg SAT

1959 Founded

62

Claremont, CA

For Neuroscience

#352 in United States #390 in North America

7% Acceptance

38,313 Enrollment

1525 Avg SAT

1887 Founded

63

Oakland

Samuel Merritt University

For Neuroscience

#812 in United States #873 in North America

66% Acceptance

959 Enrollment

1070 Avg SAT

1909 Founded

64

Redlands

University of Redlands

For Neuroscience

#617 in United States #671 in North America

83% Acceptance

18,492 Enrollment

1229 Avg SAT

1907 Founded

65

Fullerton

California State University – Fullerton

For Neuroscience

#279 in United States #312 in North America

91% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1350 Avg SAT

1957 Founded

66

Culver, CA

Antioch University

For Neuroscience

#795 in United States #854 in North America

81% Acceptance

1,771 Enrollment

1111 Avg SAT

67

Hayward, CA

California State University – East Bay

For Neuroscience

#478 in United States #524 in North America

97% Acceptance

31,943 Enrollment

1290 Avg SAT

1957 Founded

68

Cypress

Trident University International

For Neuroscience

#1125 in United States #1197 in North America

69% Acceptance

9,489 Enrollment

1111 Avg SAT

$13,916 Net Price

69

San Francisco

California Institute of Integral Studies

For Neuroscience

#751 in United States #809 in North America

90% Acceptance

1,057 Enrollment

1265 Avg SAT

1968 Founded

70

Arcata

Humboldt State University

For Neuroscience

#266 in United States #297 in North America

98% Acceptance

18,258 Enrollment

1175 Avg SAT

1913 Founded

71

Rosemead

University of the West

For Neuroscience

#687 in United States #743 in North America

100% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1450 Avg SAT

1990 Founded

72

Turlock

California State University – Stanislaus

For Neuroscience

#717 in United States #774 in North America

98% Acceptance

15,257 Enrollment

1240 Avg SAT

1960 Founded

73

Long Beach, CA

California State University – Long Beach

For Neuroscience

#253 in United States #283 in North America

46% Acceptance

38,313 Enrollment

1350 Avg SAT

1949 Founded

74

Los Angeles

Chicago School of Professional Psychology at Los Angeles

For Neuroscience

#670 in United States #726 in North America

46% Acceptance

910 Enrollment

1111 Avg SAT

1979 Founded

75

Carson, CA

California State University – Dominguez Hills

For Neuroscience

#468 in United States #512 in North America

93% Acceptance

18,492 Enrollment

1240 Avg SAT

1960 Founded

76

Fullerton

Marshall B Ketchum University

For Neuroscience

#578 in United States #631 in North America

23% Acceptance

530 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1904 Founded

77

Palo Alto

Palo Alto University

For Neuroscience

#209 in United States #236 in North America

12% Acceptance

3,007 Enrollment

1100 Avg SAT

1975 Founded

78

Merced

University of California – Merced

For Neuroscience

#283 in United States #318 in North America

91% Acceptance

45,882 Enrollment

1175 Avg SAT

2005 Founded

79

Camarillo

California State University – Channel Islands

For Neuroscience

#789 in United States #847 in North America

95% Acceptance

18,492 Enrollment

1240 Avg SAT

2002 Founded

80

Bakersfield

California State University – Bakersfield

For Neuroscience

#690 in United States #746 in North America

94% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1965 Founded

81

San Luis Obispo

California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo

For Neuroscience

#361 in United States #401 in North America

31% Acceptance

27,636 Enrollment

1175 Avg SAT

1901 Founded

82

San Diego

Ashford University

For Neuroscience

#924 in United States #991 in North America

100% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1125 Avg SAT

$32,265 Net Price

83

Claremont, CA

Harvey Mudd College

For Neuroscience

#804 in United States #865 in North America

13% Acceptance

26,133 Enrollment

1535 Avg SAT

1955 Founded

84

Claremont, CA

Keck Graduate Institute

For Neuroscience

#715 in United States #772 in North America

50% Acceptance

44,256 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1997 Founded

85

Duarte

Irell & Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences at City of Hope

For Neuroscience

#270 in United States #302 in North America

14% Acceptance

359 Enrollment

1245 Avg SAT

1994 Founded

86

Fresno

California State University – Fresno

For Neuroscience

#347 in United States #384 in North America

95% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1125 Avg SAT

1911 Founded

87

Burbank

Woodbury University

For Neuroscience

#1004 in United States #1072 in North America

82% Acceptance

1,771 Enrollment

1345 Avg SAT

1884 Founded

88

Pasadena, CA

Fuller Theological Seminary

For Neuroscience

#473 in United States #519 in North America

82% Acceptance

833 Enrollment

1265 Avg SAT

89

Los Angeles

California State University – Northridge

For Neuroscience

#319 in United States #354 in North America

93% Acceptance

23,163 Enrollment

1525 Avg SAT

1958 Founded

90

Culver, CA

West Los Angeles College

For Neuroscience

#190 in United States #215 in North America

100% Acceptance

3,665 Enrollment

1100 Avg SAT

91

Los Angeles

Occidental College

For Neuroscience

#524 in United States #574 in North America

44% Acceptance

38,313 Enrollment

1450 Avg SAT

1887 Founded

92

Vallejo

Touro University California

For Neuroscience

#602 in United States #655 in North America

1,367 Enrollment

1100 Avg SAT

1997 Founded

93

La Verne

University of La Verne

For Neuroscience

#817 in United States #878 in North America

71% Acceptance

18,492 Enrollment

1111 Avg SAT

1891 Founded

94

Sacramento

California State University – Sacramento

For Neuroscience

#348 in United States #385 in North America

94% Acceptance

12,326 Enrollment

1290 Avg SAT

1947 Founded

95

Oakland

Saybrook University

For Neuroscience

#557 in United States #609 in North America

85% Acceptance

1,874 Enrollment

1111 Avg SAT

1971 Founded

96

La Mirada

Biola University

For Neuroscience

#901 in United States #968 in North America

74% Acceptance

1,890 Enrollment

1265 Avg SAT

1908 Founded

97

San Francisco

San Francisco State University

For Neuroscience

#247 in United States #277 in North America

96% Acceptance

5,891 Enrollment

1290 Avg SAT

1899 Founded