Best Military-Friendly Colleges in California

Although California is on the lower end when it comes to in-state tuition costs, tuition prices can still be insanely high at some California colleges. Some people choose to join the military to pay for tuition and earn other benefits.

Military education benefits can be combined with other federal aid programs. In addition to financial aid, many colleges and universities offer other benefits to military students. Keep reading to discover some of the best military-friendly colleges in California.

Military-Friendly Colleges in California

Many colleges and universities in California are friendly to both active-duty service members and veterans. We've highlighted a few of these institutions below. All colleges and universities listed are regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

1. University of Southern California

The University of Southern California is a private research university in Los Angeles, California. It offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs and several initiatives for military students and veterans.

To start, the university waives the application fee for U.S. military veterans, current service members, and military dependents. Additionally, while the Post-9/11 GI Bill won't cover all tuition costs, as USC is a private school, the university can offer students up to $10,000 through the Yellow Ribbon Program.

2. California State University, Long Beach

California State University, Long Beach is a public research university in Long Beach, California, and is the second-largest member of the California State University system. It offers a Veterans Services department to support military-affiliated students.

As a public university, students could have all their tuition paid for under the Post-9/11 GI Bill or through other military education benefits. On top of that, military members may qualify as in-state residents, even if they attended high school out of state.

3. San Diego State University

San Diego State University is a public research university in San Diego, California. It honors military students through its War Memorial on campus and supports them through its Military and Veterans Program.

Active-duty military members and veterans may receive additional consideration for admission through SDSU's military admissions programs. Because the university is public, military students may be able to have their tuition covered through the GI Bill or military tuition assistance.

4. University of California, San Diego

The University of California, San Diego is a public land-grant research university in San Diego, California, and a member of the University of California System. It serves military service members and veterans through its Student Veterans Resource Center.

Because UCSD is public, students can use their military education benefits to cover tuition costs. The university also offers accommodations for military personnel required to report for active-duty service.

5. California State University, Sacramento

Another member of the California State University system is California State University, Sacramento a public university in Sacramento, California. It hosts a Veterans Success Center to help students access their education benefits and on-campus resources.

Students can use their GI Bill benefits, tuition assistance, and other forms of financial aid to cover their tuition, and military students also pay a lower tuition rate. Additionally, the university offers the Veterans Career Pathways Program to help student veterans and their dependents find gainful employment.

6. California State University, Chico

California State University, Chico is a public university in Chico, California, and another member of the Cal State system. Its Veterans Education and Transition Services acts as a liaison between military-connected students and the VA.

As CSUC is a public university, military students can cover their tuition through the GI Bill or military tuition assistance. The university also offers veteran scholarships, college credit for military learning, and VA work-study jobs.

7. Pepperdine University

Pepperdine University is a private Christian research university in Malibu, California. It has been serving veterans and their family members for more than 75 years.

Because the university is private, the Post-9/11 GI Bill will not cover all tuition costs. However, Pepperdine will cover all remaining tuition costs for those eligible for this bill through the Yellow Ribbon Program, and the university also offers military scholarships.

8. California State University, Fullerton

The largest member of the California State University system by enrollment is Cal State Fullerton. Its Veterans Resource Center supports active-duty service members and veterans as they navigate higher education.

Since CSUF is a public university, military students can use their military educational assistance to cover their tuition costs. The university also offers multiple scholarships for active-duty military members, veterans, and their family members.

9. University of California, Los Angeles

The University of California, Los Angeles is the largest member of the University of California system by enrollment. Its Veterans Resource Center helps military members and veterans secure their educational benefits and offers many support programs for military students.

Students at UCLA can use their education benefits to pay for tuition and fees, as UCLA is public. Military students can also apply for numerous military and veteran scholarships offered by the school.

10. Saint Mary's College of California

Saint Mary's College of California is a private Catholic college in Moraga, California. It offers assistance to veterans and their dependents through its Veterans Support Services.

The GI Bill won't cover full tuition because Saint Mary's is private, but the college provides up to $14,000 for all eligible students through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Additionally, Saint Mary's College offers priority registration for classes in the fall and spring to all veterans and veteran dependents.

Does the U.S. Military Offer Free College?

Many military members are eligible for free college through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or the Department of Defense (DoD). Your eligibility depends primarily on how long you served and the branch you served in.

Below, we've listed a few common types of educational benefits you can get by serving in the military.

GI Bill Benefits

GI Bill benefits are benefits administered by the VA. There are two types of GI Bills offering educational benefits. The Montgomery Bill solely covers tuition. There are two forms of this bill, one for active-duty service members and one for selected reserve members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and National Guard.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill offers benefits to those who served on active duty on or after 9/11. The amount you receive depends on your length of service; however, those who qualify for the maximum benefit receive full tuition at an in-state community college or four-year college completely covered or up to $28,937 per year at a private school.

They also receive a stipend for books and a stipend for housing. Those eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill may also be eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program, which covers costs that the Post-9/11 GI Bill doesn't.

VA Tuition Assistance

Most branches of the DoD work with the VA to offer tuition assistance, which can cover up to 100% of tuition costs for active-duty service members. Each branch runs its program a little differently.

Some branches have caps on how much you can use per year; others have eligibility requirements. You can learn more by checking in with an education counselor.

Military College Funds

Military college funds are another educational benefit that military branches offer. You sign up for this program when you first enlist.

These programs provide an additional amount of money that goes toward your GI Bill benefits. While the Air Force is one of the only branches that doesn't offer this, it does have a community college program.

FAQs About Military-Friendly Colleges in California

Below, we've answered a few frequently asked questions about military-friendly schools in California.

Are There Online Military-Friendly Programs in California?

Several California colleges that are military-friendly offer online programs. While the University of California currently does not offer online undergraduate degrees, some California State University schools do.

Additionally, some primarily online colleges based in California are military-friendly. For example, National University mainly offers online degrees and several benefits for military students.

How Hard Is It To Get Into a Military-Friendly College?

How difficult it is to get into a military-friendly college depends on the college you apply to. For example, UCLA only accepts 9% of applicants, while Cal State Chico accepts 94%. Additionally, some colleges offer preferential admissions to military students.

Is the University of California San Diego Approved for Tuition Assistance?

According to the UCSD website, the university is approved for tuition assistance from the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, and Navy. You'll need to contact your branch office and have an authorization form sent to UCSD's financial aid office.