California has more than 75 nonprofit, private colleges and universities, many of which are ranked among the top American schools on lists by Forbes, Princeton Review and U.S. News and World Report. Every private institution has an independent governing board, unlike schools in the state university systems. Students looking for a private college in California will find that each one has its own individual character, unique opportunities and academic specialties.
Stanford University
Stanford University is one of California's most prestigious universities. Located about 30 miles south of San Francisco, Stanford was ranked eighth on Forbes' 2009 America's Best Private Colleges list and came in 10th overall. Stanford offers three undergraduate degrees---bachelor of arts (B.A.), bachelor of sciences (B.S.) and bachelor of arts and sciences (B.A.S.)---and 13 graduate degrees. It has seven schools: business, Earth sciences, education, engineering, humanities and sciences, law and medicine. The undergraduate student-faculty ratio is low, just 6.4 students to every faculty member. Admissions are competitive. Each year, Stanford accepts about 1,670 incoming freshmen and about 40 transfer students. With a total of approximately 8,440 students pursuing advanced degrees each year, the bulk of enrollment comes from graduate students.
Stanford University
450 Serra Mall
Stanford, CA 94305
(650) 723-2300
stanford.edu
California Institute of Technology
The California Institute of Technology---Caltech for short---placed second on Forbes' 2009 list of America's Best Private Colleges and third overall. Caltech specializes in math, science and engineering fields and also aims to offer its students ample research opportunities and a culturally diverse community. In early 2009, total enrollment at Caltech was at 2,130, including 951 undergraduates and 1,179 graduate students. Caltech students can study in one of nine academic divisions: biology, chemistry and chemical engineering, engineering and applied science, geological and planetary sciences, humanities and social sciences, interdisciplinary programs and physics, mathematics and astronomy.
California Institute of Technology
1200 E. California Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91125
(626) 395-6811
caltech.edu
Loyola Marymount University
Established in 1911, Loyola Marymount University (LMU) is the largest Catholic university on the West Coast. In 2010, LMU had 5,667 undergraduates, 1,886 graduate students and 1,319 law school students. Undergraduate students can choose from 53 major programs and 57 minor programs. For graduate students, there are 31 master's degrees, one doctoral degree and 15 credential programs. LMU's colleges and schools include the College of Liberal Arts, College of Business Administration, College of Communication and Fine Arts, College of Science and Engineering, Loyola Law School, School of Education and School of Film and Television. Located on a scenic, 142-acre bluff in West Lost Angeles, LMU has been named one of the 10 most beautiful schools by the Princeton Review.
Loyola Marymount University
1 LMU Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90045
(310) 338-2700
lmu.edu
Other California Private Colleges
Other popular and consistently high-ranking private colleges in California include Claremont McKenna College, Pomona College, Harvey Mudd College, St. Mary's College of California and the University of Southern California.
Tags: graduate students, California Institute, Loyola Marymount, Loyola Marymount University, Marymount University
