California Community Colleges:

• 2 year Degrees (AS or AA), AS for Transfer or AA for Transfer (to a 4-yr university), and Certificate programs
• 114 Colleges throughout California
• Very Affordable option with the lowest tuition
• Offer a wide variety of degrees, vocational and tech programs
• Students need to complete the coursework for their high school diploma
• Application Deadline is rolling, however, Spring is a good time to apply for the Fall term

California State University:

• 4 year Degrees (BS or BA) as well as graduate school
• 23 Colleges throughout California
• Offer many degrees, and campuses may be competitive
• Specific courses need to be taken in high school (A-G requirements)
• Tests not required for Fall 2023 Applicants
• For Fall Term, Application window opens Oct 1st and closes Nov 30th
• Step By Step Guide to the CSU Application

University of California:

• 4 year Degrees (BS or BA) as well as graduate school
• 9 Colleges throughout California
• Many degrees, competitive campuses
• Specific courses need to be taken in high school (A-G requirements)
• Tests not required for Fall 2023 Applicants
• For Fall Term Applications, window to apply opens August 1st, and can be submitted from
• Nov 1 - 30th.
• Step By Step Guide to the UC Application

California Independent Colleges:

• Varying degrees from Certificates in specific areas all the way up to Doctoral Degrees
• Over 75 Colleges throughout California
• Check with each school on requirements for applying as well as tests needed.
• Check with each college on deadlines for applications

Check these websites for more info and to apply:

• Secure Californi Colleges Info about all 4 college systems in CA
• Apply Calstate
• University of California
• Apply to California Community Colleges
• Common App
• visit affordablecollegesonline.org: Another resource for researching affordable online programs.
• Pay for College: Resource for funding college.
• visit Youcango.collegeboard: Resource for researching colleges.