2026 College Rankings

Top Hidden Gem Colleges in California

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College Raptor’s Hidden Gem rankings highlight under-the-radar colleges that may not be household names, but they're bringing serious academic heat. Hidden Gems are based on College Raptor’s overall national rankings and must meet the following criteria:

Receive fewer than 5,000 applications a year.
Have fewer than 7,000 undergraduate students enrolled.
Have an acceptance rate higher than 10%.
Have 5 or more unique majors.
Rank within the top half of College Raptor’s overall rankings.

For more information on methodology behind our college rankings, check out our ranking methodology breakdown.

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Rank	Institution	Acceptance Rate	SAT Score	Your Est. Net Price Avg. Net Price	Median Starting Salary	Save
1	Pitzer College	25.16	1,190 – 1,370	34801	51784	#1 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in California Pitzer College Claremont, CA Pitzer College’s motto is “Mindful of the Future” (“Provida Futuri” in Latin). It’s extremely selective and out of the accepted students during the last admissions cycle, 34% enrolled. 81% of undergraduates graduate in four years, 88% in six. Pitzer is part of the Claremont Colleges consortium. Acceptance Rate 25.2% SAT Score 1,190 – 1,370 Avg. Net Price $34,801 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $51,784
2	Scripps College	38.29	1,430 – 1,520	45505	68027	#2 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in California Scripps College Claremont, CA A member of the Claremont Colleges, Scripps College is a liberal arts women’s school well known for its extensive curriculum and historic, beautiful campus. In fact, their campus is currently listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Scripps has a 94% first year retention rate. Acceptance Rate 38.3% SAT Score 1,430 – 1,520 Avg. Net Price $45,505 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $68,027
3	Westmont College	77.04	1,230 – 1,430	36412	53737	#3 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in California Westmont College Santa Barbara, CA Founded in 1937, Westmont College’s motto is Christus Primatum Tenens, which is Latin for “Christ Holding Preeminence.” The school was initially the Bible Missionary Institute but it became Westmont College only three years later. Student athletes are known as the Warriors and wear maroon, gold, and white....Read more Acceptance Rate 77.0% SAT Score 1,230 – 1,430 Avg. Net Price $36,412 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $53,737
4	Dominican University of California	83.92	1,170 – 1,280	51292	71477	#4 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in California Dominican University of California San Rafael, CA Founded in 1890, the Dominican University of California is one of the oldest universities in California. Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other is the most popular area of study. 99% of students receive institutional grants from the school....Read more Acceptance Rate 83.9% SAT Score 1,170 – 1,280 Avg. Net Price $51,292 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $71,477
5	Point Loma Nazarene University	83.67	1,200 – 1,400	36370	54811	#5 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in California Point Loma Nazarene University San Diego, CA Point Loma Nazarene University was founded in 1902 as the Pacific Bible College, and underwent several name changes before arriving at its current moniker in 1998. There are currently 231 athletes and PLNU competes in the Pacific West Conference. Acceptance Rate 83.7% SAT Score 1,200 – 1,400 Avg. Net Price $36,370 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $54,811
6	Saint Mary's College of California	88.56	1,080 – 1,270	31615	60388	#6 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in California Saint Mary's College of California Moraga, CA Found in Moraga, Saint Mary's College of California accepts 89% of applicants. They require $60 for undergraduate applications. About 100% of students at Saint Mary's College of California will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more Acceptance Rate 88.6% SAT Score 1,080 – 1,270 Avg. Net Price $31,615 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $60,388
7	The Master's University and Seminary	75.89	1,010 – 1,210	33463	41665	#7 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in California The Master's University and Seminary Santa Clarita, CA The Master’s University was opened as the Los Angeles Baptist College and Seminary in 1927. In 1985, it changed its name to The Master’s College to reflect its switch interdenominational religious affiliation. It became a university in 2016....Read more Acceptance Rate 75.9% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $33,463 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $41,665
8	Biola University	74.82	1,170 – 1,370	30510	45752	#8 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in California Biola University La Mirada, CA Since 2017, Biola University has competed primarily in the Pacific West Conference. Athletes are known as the Eagles, and wear red, white, and black. Some popular sports include Basketball, Soccer, and Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)....Read more Acceptance Rate 74.8% SAT Score 1,170 – 1,370 Avg. Net Price $30,510 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,752
9	University of Redlands	82.71	1,110 – 1,350	28054	61686	#9 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in California University of Redlands Redlands, CA 84% of students return to the University of Redlands after completing their first year. 69% go on to graduate within six years. There are 69 programs available, but Business Administration and Management, General is the most popular by far. The Bulldogs are cheered on by George Willis, a live bulldog. Acceptance Rate 82.7% SAT Score 1,110 – 1,350 Avg. Net Price $28,054 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $61,686
10	Azusa Pacific University	79.59	990 – 1,300	26117	56794	#10 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in California Azusa Pacific University Azusa, CA Azusa Pacific University is a private Christian school located just northeast of Los Angeles. Opened in 1899, it was originally called the Training School for Christian Workers. Over the next few decades, it merged with other colleges and received its current moniker in 1981....Read more Acceptance Rate 79.6% SAT Score 990 – 1,300 Avg. Net Price $26,117 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $56,794
11	Fresno Pacific University	57.52	970 – 1,180	15668	51422	#11 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in California Fresno Pacific University Fresno, CA Fresno Pacific University started as the Pacific Bible Institute in 1944, where courses were taught in a home. It became a university in 1997. FPU offers a four-year graduation guarantee – if students meet their responsibilities but need longer than four years, they can take the remaining necessary courses at no cost. Acceptance Rate 57.5% SAT Score 970 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $15,668 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $51,422
12	California State University Maritime Academy	98.73	930 – 1,210	16081	84676	#12 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in California California State University Maritime Academy Vallejo, CA Cal Maritime is one of the 23 campuses that make up the California State University system. Students learn on a training ship, known as the “Golden Bear,” that serves as a floating classroom and laboratory. Marine Science/Merchant Marine Officer is the most popular area of study out of 7 programs. Acceptance Rate 98.7% SAT Score 930 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $16,081 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $84,676
13	Concordia University-Irvine	59.86	1,050 – 1,300	29413	53777	#13 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in California Concordia University-Irvine Irvine, CA Concordia University, Irvine is a private school affiliated with the Lutheran Church. It currently has more graduates than undergraduates attending, and two popular majors include Sport and Fitness Administration/Management, and Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services....Read more Acceptance Rate 59.9% SAT Score 1,050 – 1,300 Avg. Net Price $29,413 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $53,777
14	Vanguard University of Southern California	64.79	940 – 1,200	20273	43464	#14 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in California Vanguard University of Southern California Costa Mesa, CA 100% of students at Vanguard University of Southern California receive grant aid, with each student package averaging $29,955. Many choose to study Psychology, General, Business Administration and Management, and General. Vanguard’s motto is “Truth. Virtue. Service.” Acceptance Rate 64.8% SAT Score 940 – 1,200 Avg. Net Price $20,273 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,464
15	Mount Saint Mary's University	73.13	910 – 1,120	27434	61335	#15 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in California Mount Saint Mary's University Los Angeles, CA Based in Los Angeles, Mount Saint Mary's University’s acceptance rate is 73% and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 100% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more Acceptance Rate 73.1% SAT Score 910 – 1,120 Avg. Net Price $27,434 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $61,335
16	Woodbury University	72.87	940 – 1,240	31257	47665	#16 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in California Woodbury University Burbank, CA Found in Burbank, Woodbury University’s acceptance rate is 73% and requires $85 for undergraduate applications and $85 for graduate applications. Approximately 99% of students attending Woodbury University currently receive grant aid from the school. At Woodbury University, there is a 71% first year retention rate and 32% of......Read more Acceptance Rate 72.9% SAT Score 940 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $31,257 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $47,665
17	Whittier College	83.5	1,070 – 1,250	32436	46025	#17 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in California Whittier College Whittier, CA Found in Whittier, Whittier College accepts 84% of applicants and requests unknown to apply, but fee waivers may be available. Approximately 99% of students attending Whittier College will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more Acceptance Rate 83.5% SAT Score 1,070 – 1,250 Avg. Net Price $32,436 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,025
18	La Sierra University	93.3	890 – 1,140	28076	42617	#18 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in California La Sierra University Riverside, CA Located in Riverside, La Sierra University accepts 93% of applicants. Undergraduates have to send in unknown to apply. About 99% of attending students currently receive grant aid from the school. At La Sierra University, there is a 82% first year retention rate and 34% of students will graduate in four years or less....Read more Acceptance Rate 93.3% SAT Score 890 – 1,140 Avg. Net Price $28,076 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,617
19	William Jessup University	76.82	1,060 – 1,300	28171	43163	#19 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in California William Jessup University Rocklin, CA Based in Rocklin, William Jessup University’s acceptance rate is 77% and requests $60 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 97% of attending students currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more Acceptance Rate 76.8% SAT Score 1,060 – 1,300 Avg. Net Price $28,171 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,163