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NCAA Division III Colleges in California

11 schools in California. See our methodology.

California Institute of Technology accepts just 2.7% of applicants yet charges a net price of only $18,902, creating one of higher education's most remarkable value propositions. The 11 NCAA Division III colleges across California span from this STEM powerhouse in Pasadena to liberal arts gems in the Claremont Consortium, where three schools cluster within miles of each other. Graduates from these institutions earn between $59,492 and $128,566 annually, with Caltech alumni commanding the highest salaries in the nation's largest economy. The state's Cal Grant program helps offset costs at schools like UC Santa Cruz, where students pay $16,607 net despite the institution's research university status. While acceptance rates range from highly selective to accessible, graduation rates consistently exceed 63%, reflecting the academic caliber these small colleges maintain. California's tech industry, aerospace sector, and biotech companies actively recruit from these programs, particularly benefiting from the close faculty mentorship and undergraduate research opportunities that define Division III education. Chapman University enrolls 7,629 students at $47,527 net cost, demonstrating how these institutions serve different market segments while maintaining strong career outcomes across the state's varied regional economies.
11
Schools
$27,903
Avg. Net Price
$78,306
Avg. Earnings
79.8%
Avg. Graduation Rate

NCAA Division III Colleges in California

College listings
# School Enrollment Net Price Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 1,023 $18,902 93.2% 2.7%
2 1,379 $27,384 95.2% 10.4%
3 1,638 $19,424 93.2% 7.0%
4 17,812 $16,607 74.5% 46.9%
5 1,191 $31,663 83.2% 18.4%
6 1,844 $39,329 85.1% 39.4%
7 7,629 $47,527 80.4% 72.5%
8 3,341 $26,925 65.4% 73.5%
9 2,374 $26,433 74.0% 87.2%
10 2,095 $22,867 70.7% 81.9%
11 812 $29,871 63.4% 75.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Caltech's Division III athletics unique compared to other California schools?

Caltech combines the nation's most selective admissions rate at 2.7% with Division III athletics, creating a rare environment where top-tier STEM students compete collegiately. With just 1,023 enrolled students, the Institute maintains smaller team rosters while graduates earn $128,566 annually, the highest among these 11 schools.

How do net prices vary among California's Division III colleges?

Net costs range from UC Santa Cruz at $16,607 to Chapman University at $47,527, a $30,920 difference. California's Cal Grant program significantly reduces expenses at public institutions like Santa Cruz, while private colleges like Pomona offer substantial need-based aid, bringing net costs to $19,424 despite higher sticker prices.

Where do most Division III graduates find employment in California?

California's $3.6 trillion economy provides abundant opportunities in Silicon Valley tech, aerospace companies like SpaceX, and growing biotech sectors. Alumni earning ranges from $59,492 to $128,566 reflect this diversity, with STEM-focused programs typically commanding higher starting salaries in the state's innovation-driven industries.

Is the Claremont Consortium worth considering for Division III athletics?

Three consortium schools appear in this ranking, with graduation rates between 83.2% and 95.2%. Claremont McKenna achieves the highest graduation rate at 95.2% while accepting 10.35% of applicants. The shared athletic facilities and cross-registration opportunities create unique advantages for student-athletes seeking academic variety.

Does school size affect graduation rates among California Division III colleges?

Smaller schools generally achieve higher graduation rates. Whittier College, with just 812 students, graduates 63.4%, while Pomona College's 1,638 enrollment maintains 93.2%. However, UC Santa Cruz breaks this pattern, graduating 74.5% of its 17,812 students, demonstrating that institutional support matters more than pure size.

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See our methodology for details on rankings and data sources.