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California Colleges Admission Statistics

California Best Schools Compare All California Schools Tightest to Admit Highest SAT Scores CA Collegs by SAT score
Acceptance Rate 47.51%
Yield (Enrollment Ratio) 15.65%
Applicants 2,010,782
Admitted 955,231
Enrolled 149,449

Applying To California Colleges

The average acceptance rate is 47.51% at California colleges and universities, a total of 2,010,782 students applied and 955,231 were accepted. The average undergraduate application fees is $78 and the graduate application fees is $72. The following table presents the general admission information for applying to California colleges.
General Admission Information of California Colleges
Open Admission Policy428 out of 672 schools
Undergraduate Application Fees$78
Graduate Application Fees$72
Acceptance Rate47.51%
Yield (Enrollment Rate)15.65%
Test Scores1,327 SAT / 29 ACT

Acceptance Rates and Headcounts

For the academic year 2024-2025, total 2,010,782 students (898,859 men and 1,105,125 women) applied to and 955,231 (395,723 men and 558,520 women) students were accepted to admit California Colleges. Among them, 64,358 men and 84,954 women were enrolled into California schools.
The average acceptance rate is 47.51% and admission yield (enrollment rate) is 15.65%. The table below shows the California colleges admission statistics including admission and enrolment rates.
Admission Statistics for California Colleges (2024-2025)
TotalMenWomen
Applicants2,010,782898,8591,105,125
Admitted955,231395,723558,520
Enrolled149,44964,35884,954
Acceptance Rate 47.51% 44.03% 50.54%
Yield (Enrollment Rate) 15.65% 16.26% 15.21%
[Chart]California Colleges Average Acceptance Rate and Yield

Average SAT and ACT Scores

In California, 1 college requires SAT and ACT score and 0 colleges recommend them to their applicant. In addition, 34 colleges consider the test score in selection process, while it is not required.
4,510 students (19.00%) submitted their SAT scores and 1,699 students (8.00%) submitted their ACT scores for seeking degrees. For score submitters, SAT 75th percentile score is 1,415 and 25th percentile score is 1,238. For ACT scores, 75th percentile score is 31 and 25th percentile score is 27.
The following table shows the detailed SAT and ACT scores distribution of first-time enrolled students at California colleges and universities.
SAT and ACT Score Distribution at California Colleges
25th Percentile75th Percentile
Evidence-Based Reading and Writing624708
SAT Math614707
ACT Composite2731
ACT Math2530
ACT English2733
[Chart] SAT/ACT Distribution - California Colleges
[Chart] Average SAT Scores - California Colleges
[Chart] Average ACT Scores - California Colleges

Calendar System and Accepted Credits

In California State, 251 schools use semester calendar systems and 53 schools are based on quarter system. Next table lists the number of schools with their calendar systems.
Semester251 out of 672 schools
Quarter53 out of 672 schools
Trimester21 out of 672 schools
Four-one-four plan6 out of 672 schools
Other academic year23 out of 672 schools
Differs by program102 out of 672 schools
Continuous171 out of 672 schools
Un-Known/Other45 out of 672 schools
Next table describes credits that California colleges and universities are accepting for their students
Dual Credits220 out of 672 schools
Credits for Life Experiences162 out of 672 schools
Advanced placement (AP) Credits290 out of 672 schools
Credit for Military Training253 out of 672 schools

Application Requirements

102 California schools require High School GPA and 123 schools require High School Record (or Transcript). The test scores such as SAT and ACT are required by 1 California colleges. Next table summarizes the application requirements for applying to California colleges.
Admission Checklist for California Colleges
RequiredRecommended
High School GPA1020
High School Rank40
High School Record (or Transcript)1230
Completion of College Preparatory Program560
Recommendations500
Formal Demonstration of Competencies270
Admission Test Scores10
TOEFL1050
Other Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)210
Know about California Colleges