[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Online Universities and Colleges in CA[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Online colleges in California allow students in the nation’s most populated state to pursue the college experience that best suits their needs. Approximately 80% of college students in California attend one of its public colleges and universities each year, according to the state’s [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.ppic.org/publication/californias-higher-education-system/”]Public Policy Institute[/hen-ui-link]. Community colleges and private institutions also see strong numbers, and have begun to broaden their distance offerings, allowing students to attend a California college online.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]California is home to a variety of popular schools as well as a few lesser-known options that offer quality programming. [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/eag/eag.ca.htm/”]California’s workforce[/hen-ui-link] is both strong and competitive, meaning that learners need to set themselves apart by acquiring additional skills and credentials.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Selecting the best school and program goes a long way in this regard, but the sheer number of available opportunities can make the decision difficult. Our guide to the best online colleges in California is designed to help prospective learners assess their options and select the program that best meets their needs. It also answers a few common questions about online college in California and offers a ranking of 25 of the best schools and programs in California.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ class=”text-tertiary”]Featured Online Schools[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”editorialListings” /] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Best Online Colleges in California[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-grid columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ id=”faq”]Questions About College in California[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Is Online College Cheaper in California?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]California is not the most expensive state for college, but median tuition rates do exceed the national average. The [hen-ui-link href=”https://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d18/tables/dt18_330.20.asp/”]National Center for Education Statistics[/hen-ui-link] provides a handy table with recent expense figures.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]How Long Does It Take to Get an Online Degree in California?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This depends on prior academic experience and current work commitments. Those with transfer credits finish faster, while those beginning study from the ground up take longer. Most undergraduate students graduate in 3-5 years.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Does an Online Degree Have the Same Value as an On-Campus Degree?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Yes! Most of the online schools in California listed in our ranking use the same faculty, share the same learning objectives, and award the same diplomas as on-campus offerings.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Is California a Good State for Higher Education?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]It is. California is home to a number of reputable institutions, including one of the largest public university systems in the country (California State University). It continues to expand financial aid opportunities as well as distance learning options.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ id=”employment”]Employment in California[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Educational attainment and gainful employment [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/spotlight/2017/educational-attainment-of-the-labor-force/home.htm/”]go hand in hand[/hen-ui-link]. Understanding which job sectors enjoy the most demand can help prospective learners choose a major that will pay off. According to the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/data/employment-projections.html%5C/”]California Employment Development Department[/hen-ui-link], trade and transportation, education, healthcare, and business and professional services are the top industries in the Golden State.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]These sectors see the most localized demand, employ the highest concentration of workers, and promise industry growth in coming years. As the table below indicates, these industries also support some of the highest-paying and fastest-growing occupations in California. Those interested in medicine and nursing in particular will continue to see especially favorable conditions.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Aspiring professionals should weigh these trends against additional factors, like cost of living and unemployment rates. While [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/eag/eag.ca.htm/”]recent BLS data[/hen-ui-link] lists California’s unemployment rate at just 5.3%, its cost of living [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bestplaces.net/cost_of_living/state/california/”]exceeds the national average[/hen-ui-link] by nearly 49.9% due to housing expenses. This means that while incoming learners and recent graduates should fare well in the workforce, they need to make smart and informed decisions in order to take advantage of job opportunities that do not jeopardize their finances.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-table] [hen-ui-table-caption]Highest Paying Careers[/hen-ui-table-caption] [hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Career[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Salary[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Projected Job Growth (2022-2032)[/hen-ui-table-head] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-body] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Anesthesiologists[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Salary”]$452,930[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2022-2032)”]27.1%[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Salary”]$221,820[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2022-2032)”]40.4%[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Psychiatrists[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Salary”]$288,270[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2022-2032)”]8.4%[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Chief Executives[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Salary”]$281,030[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2022-2032)”]2.4%[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Surgeons[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Salary”]$340,260[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2022-2032)”]N/A[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-body] [/hen-ui-table] Source: [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ca.htm/”]BLS[/hen-ui-link], [hen-ui-link href=”https://projectionscentral.com/Projections/LongTerm/”]ProjectionsCentral[/hen-ui-link] [hen-ui-table] [hen-ui-table-caption]Fastest Growing Careers[/hen-ui-table-caption] [hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Career[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Salary[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Projected Job Growth (2022-2032)[/hen-ui-table-head] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-body] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Emergency Medicine Physicians[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Salary”]$212,300[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2022-2032)”]47.9%[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Recreational Vehicle Service Technicians[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Salary”]$56,900[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2022-2032)”]44.9%[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Career/Technical Education Teachers, Middle School[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Salary”]$66,880[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2022-2032)”]43.8%[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Physicians, Pathologists[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Salary”]$264,450[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2022-2032)”]43.6%[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Neurologists[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Salary”]$194,000[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2022-2032)”]41.8%[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-body] [/hen-ui-table] Source: [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ca.htm/”]BLS[/hen-ui-link], [hen-ui-link href=”https://projectionscentral.com/Projections/LongTerm/”]ProjectionsCentral[/hen-ui-link] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ id=”degrees”]Associate and Graduate Degrees[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Associate programs help prepare learners for more focused study and often act as stepping stones to bachelor’s degrees. Graduate programs work similarly: After baccalaureate graduation, some degree-seekers proceed to further advanced study. This route hones existing skills, develops additional areas of expertise, and qualifies learners for a broader, more lucrative set of job opportunities.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Most colleges and universities in California now offer online options at every level of educational attainment. This means that prospective students can feasibly complete their entire education using more convenient methods. Many schools extend associate degrees by offering built-in pathways to undergraduate and graduate study. Learners who take full advantage of these benefits may be able to reduce their total time spent in school.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Business management, nursing, and criminal justice are among the most common fields of study in this regard. Many online colleges in California offer associate and graduate programs in these areas. Unlike traditional on-campus programs, these opportunities do not involve travel or relocation and administer most if not all requirements online. Some schools may even offer opportunities for internships or field placements within degree-seekers’ own communities.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-section-header title=”Popular with our students.” /] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”2-col” ids=”970,1538,905″][/hen-ui-article-row]