Online Colleges in California

California has two state university systems: California State Universities, and Universities of California. The University of California (UC) system includes nationally ranked schools in Los Angeles, Berkeley, and Davis. However, the state’s educational offerings go beyond brick-and-mortar institutions. Online learning is growing faster than ever in California, with the state’s community colleges leading the way. As the largest higher education system in the United States, California Community Colleges enrolls 2.1 million students in its 114 schools. The school system will soon add an entirely online community college, in an attempt to help the 2.5 million adults in California who are unable to attend college in-person. California Gov. Jerry Brown’s 2018-19 budget plan devoted $120 million to the online community college, which will enroll its first students by late 2019.

This guide provides an introduction to online education in California, including the state’s best and most affordable online colleges. It also includes information on higher education tuition, scholarship and financial aid opportunities, and job outlooks for graduates.

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