California has a history of high-profile online education experiments and initiatives. In 2013, Governor Jerry Brown worked with San Jose State University to pilot an online Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) program with Udacity. Unfortunately, the experiment did not fare well, with just about 4% of students finishing their courses using this system. However, the state of California did not let these challenges break their stride in exploring viable ways to deliver online education. Governor Jerry Brown's Online Education Initiative, launched in 2013, continues to move forward with distance learning goals, including online course peer reviews, certification processes, and professional development.
In this rapidly growing state, enrollment levels are high. Boasting well over two million actively-enrolled students, California's colleges and universities serve the largest student population in the nation. Of course, competition for funding is competitive — in-state tuition rates at four-year institutions doubled between 2006-2011 and continue to skyrocket. Unfortunately, state appropriations aren't likely to alleviate the financial strain of rising costs. California's total higher education appropriations dipped by 12.4% within the same five year span.
Search the database below to review the top online programs offered in California. For more insight into California's higher education environment, check out the state facts tab below.
Featured Online Programs
326 Colleges in California
California State University-Long Beach
Long Beach, CA · Tuition & fees: $6,452
California State University-Northridge
Northridge, CA · Tuition & fees: $6,549
California State University-Sacramento
Sacramento, CA · Tuition & fees: $6,648
California State University-San Marcos
San Marcos, CA · Tuition & fees: $7,169
Everest College-San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA · Tuition & fees: $14,400
Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, CA · Tuition & fees: $26,638
United States University
Chula Vista, CA · Tuition & fees: $10,140
Additional Resources
Official State Links
College Savings
- ScholarShare College Savings Plan: This 529 plan is sponsored by the State of California and managed by TIAA-CREF. The plan launched in 1999 and is administered by a 7-member Scholarshare Investment Board.
Education Nonprofits
- Pullias Center for Higher Education: The Pullias Center for Higher Education is a policy making organization at the University of Southern California. The center provides financial aid and college access for low- to moderate-income students of color.
- Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education: The Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education or WICHE, helps higher education systems in the west share resources. The organization also implements funding programs designed to help colleges and universities in its membership area to help their students. California has been part of WICHE since 1955.
- Community College League of California: The Community College League of California is a nonprofit corporation that includes the 72 community college districts within the state. This is an advocacy group for the community colleges in the state.
Higher Education News
- The Chronicle of Higher Education California Information: A publication for higher education news across the country; this is the content discovered in a state search.
- Center for Studies in Higher Education: This organization looks at statewide higher education issues, as well as issues for the University of California system and national trends.
- Higher Ed News: California Competes: This is the higher education blog for the California Competes organization.