2027 College Rankings

Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – California Pacific Conference

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The Top 50 Best Colleges in the US is College Raptor’s most prestigious rankings list. Updated annually, these schools are celebrated for their rich histories, stunning campuses, excellent academics, and vibrant student life. The institutions on this list are known for both academic excellence and impressive extracurricular opportunities, making them “dream schools” for students around the world. Use these rankings as a jumping-off point for you to create your own personalized rankings using our college match tool.

Methodology

Each of these rankings is based on an analysis of data about the school’s selectivity, financial health, graduation rates, student success, and more. We’ve outlined our full methodology here.

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Rank	Institution	Undergraduates	Acceptance Rate	SAT Score	Your Est. Net Price Avg. Net Price	Median Starting Salary	Save
1	Soka University of America	484	43.62	1,340 – 1,510	15691	42696	#1 2027 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – California Pacific Conference Soka University of America Aliso Viejo, CA The Soka University of America, a fairly new school (founded in 2001), focuses on pacifism, human rights, and the creative coexistence of nature and humanity. It was created by the founder of the Soka Gakkai International Buddhist movement, Daisaku Ikeda. Students enjoy a cozy 7 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. Undergraduates 484 Acceptance Rate 43.6% SAT Score 1,340 – 1,510 Avg. Net Price $15,691 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,696
2	University of California-Merced	8234	97.04	980 – 1,160	13690	48475	#2 2027 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – California Pacific Conference University of California-Merced Merced, CA UC Merced, opened in 2005, is one of the newest schools to join the University of California system. 84% of students receive institutional grant aid, $12,518 on average per student. Not far from Yosemite National Park, Lake Yosemite borders the campus’s north side. Undergraduates 8,234 Acceptance Rate 97.0% SAT Score 980 – 1,160 Avg. Net Price $13,690 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,475
3	Cal Poly Maritime Academy	804	95.01	1,010 – 1,210	19040	84676	#3 2027 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – California Pacific Conference Cal Poly 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 8 programs. Undergraduates 804 Acceptance Rate 95.0% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $19,040 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $84,676
4	La Sierra University	1266	90.69	1,010 – 1,240	23848	42617	#4 2027 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – California Pacific Conference La Sierra University Riverside, CA Located in Riverside, La Sierra University accepts 91% of applicants. Undergraduates have to send in $25 to apply. About 98% of attending students currently receive grant aid from the school. At La Sierra University, there is a 77% first year retention rate and 42% of students will graduate in four years or less....Read more Undergraduates 1,266 Acceptance Rate 90.7% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $23,848 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,617
5	Westcliff University	2363	73.17	--	35553	63721	#5 2027 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – California Pacific Conference Westcliff University Irvine, CA Found in Irvine, Westcliff University accepted 73% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They request $50 for undergraduate applications, but some students qualify for fee waivers. Approximately 22% of students at Westcliff University currently receive institutional grant aid....Read more Undergraduates 2,363 Acceptance Rate 73.2% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $35,553 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $63,721
6	Pacific Union College	968	47.3	950 – 1,190	22767	52713	#6 2027 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – California Pacific Conference Pacific Union College Angwin, CA Found in Angwin, Pacific Union College accepted 47% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They require unknown for undergraduate applications. About 100% of students at Pacific Union College will receive grant aid from the school....Read more Undergraduates 968 Acceptance Rate 47.3% SAT Score 950 – 1,190 Avg. Net Price $22,767 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $52,713

School data is from 2023–2024 (top 500 results shown) for schools with at least 100 undergraduate students.

2027 College Rankings

Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – California Pacific Conference

About

Methodology

2027 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – California Pacific Conference

Soka University of AmericaAliso Viejo, CA

484

43.6%

1,340 – 1,510

$15,691

$42,696

2027 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – California Pacific Conference

University of California-MercedMerced, CA

8,234

97.0%

980 – 1,160

$13,690

$48,475

2027 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – California Pacific Conference

Cal Poly Maritime AcademyVallejo, CA

804

95.0%

1,010 – 1,210

$19,040

$84,676

2027 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – California Pacific Conference

La Sierra UniversityRiverside, CA

1,266

90.7%

1,010 – 1,240

$23,848

$42,617

2027 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – California Pacific Conference

Westcliff UniversityIrvine, CA

2,363

73.2%

--

$35,553

$63,721

2027 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – California Pacific Conference

Pacific Union CollegeAngwin, CA

968

47.3%

950 – 1,190

$22,767

$52,713

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Soka University of America
Aliso Viejo, CA

University of California-Merced
Merced, CA

Cal Poly Maritime Academy
Vallejo, CA

La Sierra University
Riverside, CA

Westcliff University
Irvine, CA

Pacific Union College
Angwin, CA