California has an interesting higher education system. There are many, many options, from community colleges, to state universities, to private colleges, and more. There is a state transfer system, as well as a financial aid system, to help students access the right type of education. We will not list every institution in California here, but provide some useful links to find out more about a few of the options.
University of California (UC) system – ten universities, mostly selective, often located in metropolitan areas
California State University (CSU) system – 23 universities, tend to be smaller with higher acceptance rates, more affordable
Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities (AICCU) – 85 higher education institutions that are private, not part of the state systems listed above, including some prestigious, well-known, or special-focus institutions
California Community Colleges – two-year colleges that prepare students for work or transfer to a four-year institution – 116 colleges throughout the state
ASSIST – California articulation and transfer system for public colleges and universities
Do you know… California is one of the largest states in the United States of America, and probably one of the most well-known. The capital is Sacramento, but some of the most famous places are Los Angeles and San Francisco, as well as Hollywood. It has a long coastline on the Pacific Ocean, and forms part of the southern border of the U.S. with Mexico. In addition to beaches, California has mountains, forests, and desert – there is something for everyone to do outdoors. Best of all, there are many direct flights between Australia and California!