univstats
Acceptance Rate 42.54%
Yield (Enrollment Ratio) 17.98%
Applicants 1,896,886
Admitted 806,902
Enrolled 145,072

Applying To California Colleges

The average acceptance rate is 42.54% at California colleges and universities, a total of 1,896,886 students applied and 806,902 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 Policy429 out of 650 schools
Undergraduate Application Fees$78
Graduate Application Fees$72
Acceptance Rate42.54%
Yield (Enrollment Rate)17.98%
Test Scores1,306 SAT / 29 ACT

Acceptance Rates and Headcounts

For the academic year 2023-2024, total 1,896,886 students (847,906 men and 1,047,630 women) applied to and 806,902 (324,996 men and 481,706 women) students were accepted to admit California Colleges. Among them, 61,416 men and 83,542 women were enrolled into California schools.
The average acceptance rate is 42.54% and admission yield (enrollment rate) is 17.98%. The table below shows the California colleges admission statistics including admission and enrolment rates.
Admission Statistics for California Colleges (2023-2024)
TotalMenWomen
Applicants1,896,886847,9061,047,630
Admitted806,902324,996481,706
Enrolled145,07261,41683,542
Acceptance Rate 42.54% 38.33% 45.98%
Yield (Enrollment Rate) 17.98% 18.90% 17.34%
[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, 46 colleges consider the test score in selection process, while it is not required.
5,331 students (23.00%) submitted their SAT scores and 2,505 students (8.00%) submitted their ACT scores for seeking degrees. For score submitters, SAT 75th percentile score is 1,394 and 25th percentile score is 1,217. For ACT scores, 75th percentile score is 31 and 25th percentile score is 26.
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 Writing606690
SAT Math611704
ACT Composite2631
ACT Math2529
ACT English2632
[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 52 schools are based on quarter system. Next table lists the number of schools with their calendar systems.
Semester251 out of 650 schools
Quarter52 out of 650 schools
Trimester21 out of 650 schools
Four-one-four plan6 out of 650 schools
Other academic year23 out of 650 schools
Differs by program102 out of 650 schools
Continuous171 out of 650 schools
Un-Known/Other24 out of 650 schools
Next table describes credits that California colleges and universities are accepting for their students
Dual Credits221 out of 650 schools
Credits for Life Experiences162 out of 650 schools
Advanced placement (AP) Credits292 out of 650 schools
Credit for Military Training252 out of 650 schools

Application Requirements

98 California schools require High School GPA and 120 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 GPA980
High School Rank40
High School Record (or Transcript)1200
Completion of College Preparatory Program570
Recommendations480
Formal Demonstration of Competencies250
Admission Test Scores10
TOEFL990
Other Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)190