10 Best Online Colleges in California 2025

There are over 50 colleges and universities in California that offer accredited degrees online. Online programs offer students the flexibility to study while also working or taking care of family.

The best online colleges offer a range of degree programs and student support services. Keep reading to discover the best online colleges in California.

Best Accredited Online Colleges in California

California is home to many accredited schools that provide online degree programs. Below, we've listed some of the best ones to consider from schools with accreditation in California.

1. California Baptist University

California Baptist University is a Baptist institution in Riverside, CA. It offers dozens of online bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in fields like business administration, computer science, criminal justice, and social sciences.

Online undergraduate degrees at CBU are $520 per credit hour. Numerous financial aid options are available, with 100% of undergraduate students receiving financial aid.

California Baptist is one of the best colleges in California, according to the U.S. News and World Report. It offers its online programs with the specific goal of catering to non-traditional students.

Tuition Costs

Average Undergrad Tuition

In-State: $39,720

Out-of-State: N/A

Average Graduate Tuition

In-State: $14,184

Out-of-State: N/A

College Stats

Acceptance Rate: 74%

Graduation Rate: 60%

Retention Rate: 74%

Institution Type: Private nonprofit Baptist

Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Commission on Colleges (WSCUC)

2. California State University, Chico

At California State University, Chico, students can earn bachelor's or master's degrees online. Areas of study for online learning include business administration, humanities, nursing, and social science.

Chico State is part of the California State University (CSU) system. 74% of students here qualify for financial aid, including the Cal Grant and State University Grant.

The university is the top-ranked online college in California by the U.S. News and World Report. The online bachelor's degrees are primarily designed as degree completion programs, and the flexible format allows students to finish in as quickly as two years or to take their time.

Tuition Costs

Average Undergrad Tuition

In-State: $8,064

Out-of-State: $19,944

Average Graduate Tuition

In-State: $7,176

Out-of-State: $16,680

College Stats

Acceptance Rate: 94%

Graduation Rate: 64%

Retention Rate: 84%

Institution Type: Public

Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Commission on Colleges (WSCUC)

3. California State University East Bay

Another member of the CSU system, California State University, East Bay offers a variety of bachelor's and master's degrees in fields like anthropology, business, history, and social work. CSUEB is based in Hayward, CA.

Numerous grants and scholarships, like the Cal Grant and State University Grant, are available to help California residents lower their costs. Of the students attending Cal State East Bay, about 80% receive financial aid.

CSUEB provides quality online courses, experienced faculty, and dedicated support staff to online students. The university is constantly ranked as one of the best online colleges.

Tuition Costs

Average Undergrad Tuition

In-State: $7,055

Out-of-State: $18,935

Average Graduate Tuition

In-State: $7,176

Out-of-State: $1,313

College Stats

Acceptance Rate: 97%

Graduation Rate: 46%

Retention Rate: 79%

Institution Type: Public

Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Commission on Colleges (WSCUC)

4. Hope International University

Online bachelor's degrees, as well as an associate degree, are available through Hope International University. Areas of study include business, ministry, criminal justice, and psychology.

HIU, a private Christian school, is based in Fullerton, CA. It charges $450 per credit hour for online programs and 100% of students receive financial aid.

The university's online school programs give students 24/7 access to coursework and provide the same one-on-one attention that on-campus programs do. This gives students the support they need and the freedom to complete their online classes on their schedule.

Tuition Costs

Average Undergrad Tuition

In-State: $36,250

Out-of-State: N/A

Average Graduate Tuition

In-State: $16,800

Out-of-State: N/A

College Stats

Acceptance Rate: 35%

Graduation Rate: 46%

Retention Rate: 68%

Institution Type: Private nonprofit Christian

Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Commission on Colleges (WSCUC)

5. National University

National University is a private institution geared toward adult and nontraditional learners. It offers various high-quality online undergraduate and graduate degrees in fields like criminal justice, healthcare, information technology, and social sciences.

The university offers multiple financial aid options, with 77% of first-time, full-time students receiving aid. Tuition rates vary by major.

National University is committed to providing meaningful academic, financial, career, family, and emotional support services designed to help students succeed. The programs here offer convenient and accelerated course formats, flexible online options, and monthly start dates for college students in all states of life.

Tuition Costs

Average Undergrad Tuition

In-State: $13,320

Out-of-State: N/A

Average Graduate Tuition

In-State: $15,912

Out-of-State: N/A

College Stats

Acceptance Rate: 100%

Graduation Rate: 50%

Retention Rate: 54%

Institution Type: Private nonprofit

Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Commission on Colleges (WSCUC)

6. Point Loma Nazarene University

Bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees are available online through Point Loma Nazarene University. Students can major in fields like business administration, education, healthcare, and leadership. PLNA is a Christian school located in San Diego.

Undergraduate online programs have a tuition rate of $560 per credit hour. About 95% of students here receive financial aid.

Point Loma provides a Christian education delivered by compassionate and expert faculty, regardless of your degree level, program, area of study, or location. These programs are designed to give students the freedom to balance their personal needs while also growing academically, professionally, personally, and spiritually.

Tuition Costs

Average Undergrad Tuition

In-State: $43,550

Out-of-State: N/A

Average Graduate Tuition

In-State: $11,880

Out-of-State: N/A

College Stats

Acceptance Rate: 82%

Graduation Rate: 74%

Retention Rate: 86%

Institution Type: Nonprofit private Christian

Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Commission on Colleges (WSCUC)

7. San Diego State University

Students at San Diego State University can earn bachelor's and master's degrees online. Areas of study for these online education programs include business administration, communication, criminal justice, and public health.

SDSU is another public institution in the CSU system. Up to 95% of students receive financial aid, which may include the Cal Grant, State University Grant, or other types of student aid.

The online degree programs at SDSU are designed, developed, and delivered by the same expert faculty and instructors who teach in SDSU's on-campus programs. Students learn new skills and take the next steps toward their career goals.

Tuition Costs

Average Undergrad Tuition

In-State: $8,290

Out-of-State: $20,170

Average Graduate Tuition

In-State: $7,176

Out-of-State: $16,680

College Stats

Acceptance Rate: 34%

Graduation Rate: 78%

Retention Rate: 90%

Institution Type: Public

Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Commission on Colleges (WSCUC)

8. Touro University Worldwide

Touro University Worldwide offers online associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in fields like business administration, healthcare, psychology, and social work. While the university system is based in New York City, the online Worldwide campus is headquartered in Los Alamitos.

The tuition rate for online bachelor's degrees is $400 per credit hour. Grants and scholarships are available to help increase affordability, with 87% of students receiving financial aid.

All programs are taught by faculty who are subject matter experts and professionals in their disciplinary fields and are dedicated to the faculty-student engagement experience in the virtual classroom. These programs are accessible, affordable, and offered along with numerous student support services.

Tuition Costs

Average Undergrad Tuition

In-State: $14,600

Out-of-State: N/A

Average Graduate Tuition

In-State: $9,000

Out-of-State: N/A

College Stats

Acceptance Rate: 100%

Graduation Rate: 42%

Retention Rate: 78%

As per the National Center for Education Statistics: 'Note that not all students at the institution are tracked for these rates. Students who have already attended another postsecondary institution, or who began their studies on a part-time basis, are not tracked for this rate. At this institution, 12 percent of entering students were counted as ''full-time, first-time'' in 2023.'

Institution Type: Private nonprofit Jewish

Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Commission on Colleges (WSCUC)

9. University of LaVerne

Through the University of LaVerne, students can earn bachelor's or master's degrees online. Areas of study include business administration, education, information technology, and management.

For undergraduate programs, the tuition rate is $665 per credit hour. Though this is higher than most of the programs on this list, 100% of students at the University of LaVerne receive financial aid.

The institution is located in LaVerne, CA. The school has been offering flexible online programs for working adults for over 20 years.

Tuition Costs

Average Undergrad Tuition

In-State: $47,000

Out-of-State: N/A

Average Graduate Tuition

In-State: $15,610

Out-of-State: N/A

College Stats

Acceptance Rate: 48%

Graduation Rate: 65%

Retention Rate: 76%

Institution Type: Nonprofit private

Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Commission on Colleges (WSCUC)

10. University of Massachusetts Global

The University of Massachusetts Global is a private affiliate of the public University of Massachusetts system. It's based in San Diego and offers a range of online programs in fields like business administration, criminal justice, information technology, and psychology.

The tuition rate for undergraduate programs at UMass Global is $500 per credit hour. About 96% of students receive financial aid, including grants and scholarships.

UMass Global has been at the forefront of the development and delivery of online education. It also offers many of its programs in its self-paced MyPath format, increasing flexibility for busy students.

Tuition Costs

Average Undergrad Tuition

In-State: $12,520

Out-of-State: N/A

Average Graduate Tuition

In-State: $12,762

Out-of-State: N/A

College Stats

Acceptance Rate: 100%

Graduation Rate: N/A

Retention Rate: 42%

Note that, like with Touro, these rates can be misleading as not all students are tracked. At UMass Global, only 4% of entering students were counted as ''full-time, first-time'' in 2023.

Institution Type: Private nonprofit

Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Commission on Colleges (WSCUC)

Other Featured Online Schools

While many excellent California colleges offer online programs, several others across the country accept students from all states. We've highlighted a few additional schools below.

Arizona State University

Over 300 online bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs are available through Arizona State University. Areas of study include business administration, computer science, healthcare, and humanities.

ASU, a public research university, is based in Tempe, AZ, and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. It charges $580 per credit hour, and numerous financial aid programs are available to students.

Franklin University

At Franklin University, students can earn associate through doctoral degrees online. The private, nonprofit school is based in Columbus, OH, and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Students at Franklin can study fields like business, computer science, healthcare, and social sciences. Tuition for undergraduate programs is $398 per credit hour, and the school accepts up to 90 transfer credits for most programs.

Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University is a private school in Manchester, NH. It's known for its online programs, which are available in fields like criminal justice, healthcare, humanities, and technology.

SNHU is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education. It charges $330 per credit hour for undergraduate programs and accepts up to 90 transfer credits.

How We Rank Schools

We used the NCES College Navigator and U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard to find the information for the programs on this list. Our methodology focused on:

• Location: All schools are located in California for this list.
• Accreditation: We focused specifically on schools with regional accreditation.
• Type: We only included four-year public and nonprofit private schools.
• Online Programs: We focused on schools that offer a variety of online degrees and have a reputation for their strong online programs.

Pros and Cons of Online Degrees in California

There are both pros and cons to earning an online degree in California. Understanding what these are can help you determine if an online program is right for you.

Pros of earning an online degree:

• Flexibility to complete your coursework on your own time
• Ability to work or take care of family while also going to school
• Option to attend schools that aren't near you

Cons of earning an online degree:

• Looser structure of online programs, which may be harder for students
• Not as much opportunity to connect with professors and other students
• Labs and other similar projects are more difficult in virtual settings

How To Choose an Online School in California

There are several things to consider when choosing an online school in California. First and foremost, your school needs to be accredited, and regional accreditation is preferred. Other things to think about include:

• admissions requirements
• program options
• pace of schedule
• tuition costs
• financial aid
• school reputation

Additionally, if you already have some college experience, you'll want to look at how transfer-friendly the school is as well.

How Much Does an Online Degree Cost in California?

Online degrees in California range from nearly free to upwards of $1,000 per credit for bachelor's degrees, although somewhere between $400 and $500 per credit is most common. The cost of your degree will depend on several factors, including the financial aid you qualify for.

Tips on How To Make Online College More Affordable in California

There are two key things to focus on when looking to make college affordable in California. The first is the overall tuition cost of the program. Many affordable online colleges in California charge less than $500 per credit hour for tuition.

The second factor is financial aid. All students should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see what they qualify for. Below, we've listed some resources to help you find affordable online options.

• online colleges that accept FAFSA
• online colleges that accept the Pell Grant
• online colleges with scholarships
• online colleges that accept the most transfer credits
• online colleges with payment plans
• online colleges with no application fee

California Scholarships & Grants

There are several scholarship and grant opportunities for students in California. We've highlighted a few below.

Cal Grants

Cal Grants are grants offered by the State of California to help residents pay for their higher education. Students can get up to the full cost of in-state tuition covered at public schools � they can also receive funds to help pay for private schools. There is no separate application for these grants, you only need to fill out your FAFSA.

Award Amount: Up to full tuition depending on eligibility

Deadline: March 3, 2025

Middle Class Scholarship

The Middle Class Scholarship is for undergraduates and students pursuing a teaching credential with family income and assets up to $217,000. The scholarship is funded by the state for students attending a University of California, California State University, or California community college bachelor's degree program.

Award Amount: Up to full tuition depending on eligibility

Deadline: March 3, 2025

State University Grant

The State University Grant is a need-based award given to California residents studying at CSU who do not qualify for the Cal Grant. Students must have an Expected Family Contribution of $4,000 or less.

Award Amount: Up to full tuition depending on eligibility.

Deadline: May 2, 2025

Top Majors for California Graduates

According to the Digest of Education Statistics from the NCES, the following are the most common fields of study for students in California:

• Business: Business degrees are some of the most common types of degree programs across the country. You can find careers like accountant, project manager, sales manager, marketing director, and more.
• Humanities: Humanities encompasses fields like art, English, and philosophy. Students can choose various career paths in this field, with roles like museum curator, professor, journalist, or interior designer.
• History and Social Sciences: History and social sciences deal with people in general, both past and present. Career options in this field include social workers, political scientists, archeologists, and anthropologists.
• Natural sciences and Mathematics: While mathematics focuses on different aspects of the field, natural sciences is broader. You could find a career as an astronomer, meteorologist, geologist, or environmental scientist.
• Psychology: Psychology examines why people do what they do. There are several subfields, and a graduate degree in psychology can lead to careers in developmental psychology, counseling psychology, or forensic psychology.

FAQs About Online Universities and Colleges in California

There's a lot to understand when trying to find the right college. Below, we've answered a few frequently asked questions about online programs in California.

How Quickly Can I Earn My Degree Online in California?

The speed at which you can earn a degree online depends on several factors. Most bachelor's degrees take four years to complete, but if you already have college credits, you may be able to finish faster. Additionally, accelerated online degrees in California can help you finish faster than average.

Is Online College Right for Me?

Only you can determine if online college is right for you. If you need something flexible and know that you can get your work done on time, you're likely a good candidate.

Which Accredited Online Colleges in California Have the Best Graduation Rates?

San Diego State University has the best graduation rate, at 78%. Point Loma Nazarene University is close behind with 74%.

Is Attending Online College in California Worth It?

For many students, attending an online college in California is worth it. Accredited online bachelor's degrees offer a flexible way for students to reach their career goals.

Are There Online Master's Programs in California?

Yes, there are online master's programs in California. Nearly all the schools listed above offer these degrees.

Discover Online Degree Programs in California

Take the next step toward your higher education by exploring the online programs near you featured on Learn.org. Contact individual schools to learn more about admissions, enrollment, and online options.