Almost all the oldest universities in the United States are private colleges. Harvard and St. John's College, for example, were both founded before the 18th century and boast alumni and founders, respectively, who signed the Declaration of Independence.
Though these schools may be esteemed, numerous other private colleges also provide students with a top-tier education. Stacker compiled a list of the best private colleges in California using 2026 Niche rankings. Niche ranks schools based on various factors, including academics, value for money, professors, campus, and diversity. See the complete methodology here.
Private institutions today remain distinguished by their source of funding. While public colleges and universities are at least partially subsidized by state government funding, private institutions are funded by tuition dollars, endowments, grants, and donations. As a result, private schools tend to be more expensive. According to the College Board's 2024 Trends in College Pricing and Student Aid report, average tuition for students attending private four-year institutions was $43,350 during the 2024-2025 school year. Meanwhile, the average tuition for full-time in-state undergraduate students at public four-year colleges was $11,610, and $30,780 for out-of-state students.
Private and public schools play important roles in the postsecondary landscape, offering rigorous courses and valuable opportunities outside the classroom. However, some characteristics of private institutions—namely, size, reputation, and flexibility—make them more appealing to prospective students.
Private colleges, which tend to be more selective, generally offer smaller class sizes and, by extension, more direct instruction and support. Large lectures with around 100 students are more of an exception at private schools than at public colleges. Private colleges may also attract more distinguished faculty based on prestige.
While the quality of education students receive at private institutions is not necessarily better than that at public schools, graduates of private colleges earn 3.5% more than public school grads on average, according to a 2023 analysis from Degreechoices.
However, within specific majors, the institution that a student attends may significantly affect earnings outcomes. For students entering college without a well-defined idea of what discipline they want to pursue, the flexibility to explore various subjects at a liberal arts institution often makes private colleges an appealing option.
Read on to see the highest-ranked private colleges in California.
