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A quality college education in America has become synonymous with financial sacrifice. With tuition costs climbing and student debt ballooning into the trillions, the idea of graduating without being financially burdened feels out of reach for many.
But one state is quietly rewriting that script.California, known for its coastline, tech hubs, and sprawling diversity, is now gaining recognition for something else—offering some of the best value in public higher education across the United States. In the 2025–26 edition of its college rankings, Money.com awarded five-star ratings to just 19 public universities nationwide. Fourteen of them are in California.This isn’t a fluke. It’s a reflection of a deliberate, data-backed commitment to affordability, academic excellence, and outcomes that matter. Whether you’re a first-generation student or simply cost-conscious, California’s public colleges may offer more than a degree—they may offer one of the smartest investments in your future.
Why California is leading the way
The rankings, produced by Money.com in partnership with analytics firm Witlytics, analyzed 25 key data points across three pillars: education quality, affordability, and student outcomes.
These include graduation rates, student debt at graduation, net cost after aid, and early-career earnings.What the data reveals is compelling. California’s public universities consistently score high in all three categories. Many boast strong academic credentials and low student-to-faculty ratios, but it’s the financial accessibility that sets them apart. Tuition after average financial aid at several schools falls well below $10,000 per year, a rare find in today’s higher education landscape.
A closer look at California’s standouts
Not every top-performing school in the Golden State is a household name, and that’s part of what makes this list so notable. From world-renowned institutions like UCLA and UC Berkeley to unsung heroes like Cal State Dominguez Hills, California offers value across a wide range of campuses.Here are the 14 California public universities that received a five-star rating from Money.com, listed from lowest to highest estimated cost of attendance after average aid:
- California State University, Dominguez Hills – $4,700
- California State University, Los Angeles – $4,800
- California State University, Fullerton – $6,700
- California State University, San Bernardino – $7,100
- California State University, Stanislaus – $7,800
- California State University, Long Beach – $10,300
- California Polytechnic State University, Pomona – $12,600
- University of California, San Diego – $14,100
- San Jose State University – $14,700
- University of California, Irvine – $15,500
- University of California, Los Angeles – $16,100
- California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo – $17,900
- University of California, Berkeley – $18,000
- University of California, Davis – $18,400
These institutions are not only geographically diverse, covering the entire state from San Diego to the Central Valley, but they also vary in their missions—some are focused on research, others on community engagement.
What they share is a commitment to providing students with a high return on investment.
How the rest of the country compares
Outside of California, only five other public universities received a five-star ranking:
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill – $11,800
- University of Illinois Chicago – $12,200
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign – $15,200
- Georgia Institute of Technology – $16,900
- University of Michigan – $20,200
While these schools remain strong in terms of educational quality and alumni success, their overall affordability often trails behind that of California’s public institutions. For example, the estimated cost of attending the University of Michigan is more than four times that of Cal State Dominguez Hills.
More than a bargain
California’s education system isn’t just about keeping costs low. These universities are actively producing graduates with competitive salaries, low loan burdens, and strong career trajectories. Many of the top-performing institutions on the list serve large populations of underrepresented and first-generation college students, making their achievements even more impressive.
Students are walking away not just with degrees, but with opportunity, secured jobs, manageable debt, and a clear path forward. In an age where college can often feel like a gamble, these campuses are offering certainty.
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