The average community college acceptance rate in California is approximately 77% per year (2026).
The most selective college in California is currently Stanbridge University, with an acceptance rate of 10%.
Acceptance Rate Range: 10%
82%
Avg. Acceptance Rate: 61%
Most Selective Community Colleges in California (2026)
College
Acceptance Rate
Location
Rank: #11.
Stanbridge University
Private for-profit
Acceptance Rate: 10%
2041 Business Ctr Dr Ste 107
Irvine, CA 92612
(949) 794-9090
Irvine, CA 92612
(949) 794-9090
Rank: #2 - 42. - 4.
Acceptance Rate: 25%
3041 West Ave K
Lancaster, CA 93536
(661) 722-6300
Lancaster, CA 93536
(661) 722-6300
Rank: #2 - 42. - 4.
Santiago Canyon College
Public
Acceptance Rate: 25%
8045 E Chapman
Orange, CA 92869
(714) 628-4900
Orange, CA 92869
(714) 628-4900
Rank: #2 - 42. - 4.
Laney College
Public
Acceptance Rate: 25%
900 Fallon Sreet
Oakland, CA 94607
(510) 834-5740
Oakland, CA 94607
(510) 834-5740
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Xavier College School of Nursing
Private for-profit
Acceptance Rate: 36%
1340 North El Dorado Street
Stockton, CA 95202
(209) 941-0968
Stockton, CA 95202
(209) 941-0968
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
FIDM-Fashion Institute Of Design & Merchandising
Private for-profit
Acceptance Rate: 36%
919 S Grand Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90015
(213) 624-1200
Los Angeles, CA 90015
(213) 624-1200
Rank: #77.
San Joaquin Valley College-Central Administrative Office
Private for-profit
Acceptance Rate: 40%
3828 W. Caldwell Ave.
Visalia, CA 93277
(559) 734-9000
Visalia, CA 93277
(559) 734-9000
Rank: #88.
Casa Loma College-Los Angeles ![Casa Loma College-Los Angeles Photo]( "Casa Loma College-Los Angeles Photo")
Private not-for-profit
Acceptance Rate: 43%
15301 Ventura Blvd. Suite D-100
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
(800) 270-5052
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
(800) 270-5052
Rank: #99.
American University of Health Sciences ![American University of Health Sciences Photo - AUHS Lobby]( "American University of Health Sciences Photo - AUHS Lobby")
Private for-profit
Acceptance Rate: 50%
1600 East Hill St
Signal Hill, CA 90755
(562) 988-2278
Signal Hill, CA 90755
(562) 988-2278
Rank: #1111.
Cuesta College
Public
Acceptance Rate: 55%
Highway 1
San Luis Obispo, CA 93403
(805) 546-3100
San Luis Obispo, CA 93403
(805) 546-3100
Rank: #1212.
Pacific College
Private for-profit
Acceptance Rate: 56%
3160 Red Hill Ave
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 662-4402
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 662-4402
Rank: #1313.
Los Angeles Valley College
Public
Acceptance Rate: 58%
5800 Fulton Avenue
Valley Glen, CA 91401
(818) 947-2600
Valley Glen, CA 91401
(818) 947-2600
Rank: #1414.
Acceptance Rate: 60%
1600 W Imperial Hwy
Los Angeles, CA 90047
(323) 241-5400
Los Angeles, CA 90047
(323) 241-5400
Rank: #1515.
MTI College
Private for-profit
Acceptance Rate: 63%
5221 Madison Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95841
(916) 339-1500
Sacramento, CA 95841
(916) 339-1500
Rank: #16 - 1716. - 17.
San Joaquin Valley College-Rancho Cordova
Private for-profit
Acceptance Rate: 65%
11050 Olson Drive
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
(559) 734-9000
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
(559) 734-9000
Rank: #16 - 1716. - 17.
Citrus College
Public
Acceptance Rate: 65%
1000 W Foothill Blvd
Glendora, CA 91741
(626) 963-0323
Glendora, CA 91741
(626) 963-0323
Rank: #1818.
FIDM-Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising-Orange County
Private for-profit
Acceptance Rate: 67%
17590 Gillette Avenue
Irvine, CA 92614
(949) 851-6200
Irvine, CA 92614
(949) 851-6200
Rank: #1919.
Compton College ![Compton College Photo - Compton College's 2025 Commencement Ceremony was held on June 13 at Dignity Health Sports Park (Carson, CA). We were proud to recognize the Class of 2025, with 510 students earning associate degrees and 372 certificates were awarded.]( "Compton College Photo - Compton College's 2025 Commencement Ceremony was held on June 13 at Dignity Health Sports Park (Carson, CA). We were proud to recognize the Class of 2025, with 510 students earning associate degrees and 372 certificates were awarded.")
Public
Acceptance Rate: 70%
1111 East Artesia Blvd.
Compton, CA 90221
(310) 900-1600
Compton, CA 90221
(310) 900-1600
Rank: #2020.
Sacramento Ultrasound Institute
Private for-profit
Acceptance Rate: 71%
1765 Challenge Way
Sacramento, CA 95815
(916) 877-7977
Sacramento, CA 95815
(916) 877-7977
Rank: #21 - 3121. - 31.
Mendocino College
Public
Acceptance Rate: 75%
1000 Hensley Creek Road
Ukiah, CA 95482
(707) 468-3000
Ukiah, CA 95482
(707) 468-3000
Rank: #21 - 3121. - 31.
Humphreys University-Stockton And Modesto Campuses ![Humphreys University-Stockton And Modesto Campuses Photo]( "Humphreys University-Stockton And Modesto Campuses Photo")
Private not-for-profit
Acceptance Rate: 75%
6650 Inglewood Ave
Stockton, CA 95207
(209) 478-0800
Stockton, CA 95207
(209) 478-0800
Rank: #21 - 3121. - 31.
Pima Medical Institute-Chula Vista
Private for-profit
Acceptance Rate: 75%
780 Bay Blvd, Suite101
Chula Vista, CA 91910
(619) 425-3200
Chula Vista, CA 91910
(619) 425-3200
Rank: #21 - 3121. - 31.
San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia
Private for-profit
Acceptance Rate: 75%
8344 W Mineral King Ave
Visalia, CA 93291
(559) 734-9000
Visalia, CA 93291
(559) 734-9000
Rank: #21 - 3121. - 31.
Laurus College
Private for-profit
Acceptance Rate: 75%
81 Higuera St Ste 110
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 267-1690
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 267-1690
Rank: #21 - 3121. - 31.
Spartan College of Aeronautics & Technology
Private for-profit
Acceptance Rate: 75%
8911 Aviation Blvd
Inglewood, CA 90301
(310) 337-4444
Inglewood, CA 90301
(310) 337-4444
Rank: #21 - 3121. - 31.
Lassen Community College
Public
Acceptance Rate: 75%
478-200 Hwy 139
Susanville, CA 96130
(530) 257-6181
Susanville, CA 96130
(530) 257-6181
Rank: #21 - 3121. - 31.
Reedley College
Public
Acceptance Rate: 75%
995 N Reed Ave
Reedley, CA 93654
(559) 494-3000
Reedley, CA 93654
(559) 494-3000
Rank: #21 - 3121. - 31.
Universal Technical Institute of California Inc
Private for-profit
Acceptance Rate: 75%
9494 Haven Avenue
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
(800) 508-1658
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
(800) 508-1658
Rank: #21 - 3121. - 31.
North-West College-Riverside
Private for-profit
Acceptance Rate: 75%
4550 La Sierra Ave
Riverside, CA 92503
(951) 351-7750
Riverside, CA 92503
(951) 351-7750
Rank: #21 - 3121. - 31.
Glendale Career College-North-West College-Mfson
Private for-profit
Acceptance Rate: 75%
2029 West Garvey Avenue North
West Covina, CA 91790
(626) 960-5046
West Covina, CA 91790
(626) 960-5046
Rank: #32 - 3332. - 33.
Bellus Academy-Chula Vista
Private for-profit
Acceptance Rate: 80%
970 Broadway, Suite 110
Chula Vista, CA 91911
(619) 474-6607
Chula Vista, CA 91911
(619) 474-6607
Rank: #32 - 3332. - 33.
American Career College-Ontario
Private for-profit
Acceptance Rate: 80%
3130 East Sedona Court
Ontario, CA 91764
(949) 783-4800
Ontario, CA 91764
(949) 783-4800
Rank: #3434.
Carrington College-Pleasant Hill Campus
Private for-profit
Acceptance Rate: 81%
380 Civic Drive, Suite 300
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
(925) 273-3922
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
(925) 273-3922
Rank: #35 - 3635. - 36.
Acceptance Rate: 82%
14000 Fruitvale Ave
Saratoga, CA 95070
(408) 741-2677
Saratoga, CA 95070
(408) 741-2677
Show 33 more community colleges in CA (out of 68 total colleges)
Loading...
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the California average community college acceptance rate?
The California average community college acceptance rate is 77% for 2026.
What are the most selective community college in California?
The most selective community college in California include Stanbridge University, Antelope Valley Community College District and Santiago Canyon College.
Recent Articles
Workforce Pell Is Coming: Should You Wait to Enroll?
Workforce Pell Grants launch in July 2026. Learn who benefits, which programs qualify, and whether delaying enrollment makes financial sense.
The “Total Commute Cost” Test for Choosing a Community College
Tuition is only part of the equation. Learn how to calculate the total commute cost when comparing community colleges and making enrollment decisions.
How to Tell Whether a Short-Term Certificate Is Worth Federal Aid
Not all short-term certificates offer the same value. Learn how to evaluate career outcomes, ROI, and employer demand before using federal aid.
