Making the Honor Roll: 9 Great California College Towns

Looking for the best college towns in California? You've come to the right place. California has some of the finest college towns in the country. 

Whether you’re searching for an off-campus apartment in Berkeley or a secluded home in Santa Cruz, we’ve got the info you need on the best spots to enjoy your college time and the years that follow. 

Let’s dive into nine of California's top college towns and find the one that’s right for you.

1. Berkeley – UC Berkeley

Population: 121,385 | Student population: 45,307 | Average 1-bedroom rent: $2,771

UC Berkeley is famous for its strong engineering and computer science programs. Many students also flock to Berkeley for its political science and business programs as well. Both are known for their rigorous curriculum and world-class faculty. 

Berkeley and the university work hand-in-hand. The town provides internship and research opportunities, particularly in tech and politics. The Berkeley Startup Cluster supports student entrepreneurs, while partnerships with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory offer coveted research opportunities.

Apartments near UC Berkeley | Houses for rent near UC Berkeley

2. Palo Alto – Stanford University

Population: 68,572 | Student population: 18,283 | Average 1-bedroom rent: $2,705

Stanford University excels in computer science, engineering, and business. The school’s medical and law schools are also highly respected and competitive. Stanford is renowned for its humanities programs as well, particularly literature and philosophy.

Stanford and Palo Alto have a close relationship. Many startups and tech giants in Silicon Valley partner with Stanford, providing students with sought-after internships and job opportunities. The local hospitals and clinics also collaborate with the university, benefiting medical students. The Stanford Research Park hosts a handful of companies that work closely with students on projects and research.

Apartments near Stanford University | Houses for rent near Stanford University

3. San Luis Obispo – Cal Poly

Population: 47,063 | Student population: 22,000 | Average 1-bedroom rent: $925

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is known for its engineering and architecture programs. These majors consistently rank among the best in the country. Students also flock to Cal Poly for its agriculture and business programs, both known for their practical approach and strong industry connections. The university’s emphasis on “learn by doing” attracts students eager for hands-on experience.

San Luis Obispo and Cal Poly have a very close relationship. Agricultural students benefit from partnerships with local farms and wineries, providing real-world experience. The San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce works with Cal Poly to connect students with local businesses, enhancing their professional development opportunities.

Apartments near Cal Poly | Houses for rent near Cal Poly

4. San Diego – UC San Diego

Population: 99,600 | Student population: 38,644 | Average 1-bedroom rent: $2,000

UC San Diego is a leader in the fields of biology and oceanography. The university’s engineering and computer science programs are also highly rated. Many students come to UCSD for its innovative and research-oriented environment. 

San Diego and UCSD have a symbiotic relationship. The city’s biotech industry collaborates closely with the university, providing students with valuable internships. Local marine institutes work with the oceanography department, offering hands-on research opportunities. The San Diego Supercomputer Center at UCSD partners with various industries for advanced research projects.

Apartments near UC San Diego | Houses for rent near UC San Diego

5. Santa Barbara – UC Santa Barbara

Population: 88,665 | Student population: 26,420 | Average 1-bedroom rent: $2,595

UC Santa Barbara is famous for its physics and marine biology programs. The university also offers strong programs in environmental science and engineering. 

Santa Barbara and UCSB are tightly linked. The local marine research centers collaborate with the university’s marine biology program. Environmental science students benefit from partnerships with nearby environmental organizations, providing the type of practical experience that’s needed to fill out a resume.

Apartments near UC Santa Barbara | Houses for rent near UC Santa Barbara

6. Davis – UC Davis

Population: 66,850 | Student population: 39,679 | Average 1-bedroom rent: $2,268

UC Davis has great veterinary and agricultural programs. The university also excels in environmental science and engineering. Many students choose UC Davis for its focus on sustainability and research. The school also has strong programs in food science and plant biology.

Davis and the university have a strong connection. The town’s agricultural prowess provides internships and job opportunities for students. Veterinary students benefit from the nearby animal hospitals and clinics, gaining practical experience. The UC Davis Arboretum collaborates with the city on urban forestry and sustainability projects.

Apartments near UC Davis | Houses for rent near UC Davis

7. Irvine – UC Irvine

Population: 307,670 | Student population: 35,937 | Average 1-bedroom rent: $3,393

UC Irvine is known for its strong computer science and engineering programs. The university also has a respected business school. Many students are attracted to UCI for its emphasis on research and innovation. The university’s programs in public health and law are also highly respected.

Irvine and UC Irvine work closely together. The surrounding tech industry provides internships and job opportunities to students. The business school collaborates with nearby companies, providing students with practical experience. UCI’s Institute for Innovation connects students with startups and entrepreneurial resources in the area.

Apartments near UC Irvine | Houses for rent near UC Irvine

8. Santa Cruz – UC Santa Cruz

Population: 61,800 | Student population: 19,478 | Average 1-bedroom rent: $3,386

UC Santa Cruz is celebrated for its marine biology and environmental science programs. The university also offers strong programs in computer science and engineering. Many students choose UCSC for its focus on research and sustainability. 

Santa Cruz and UCSC have a close relationship. Local marine research centers collaborate with the university’s marine biology program. Environmental science students benefit from partnerships with nearby environmental organizations. The Santa Cruz Economic Development Office works with UCSC to find additional internships and job opportunities.

Apartments near UC Santa Cruz | Houses for rent near UC Santa Cruz

9. Claremont – The Claremont Colleges

Population: 37,266 | Student population: 8,500 | Average 1-bedroom rent: $4,094

The Claremont Colleges, including Pomona and Claremont McKenna, are a group of seven schools known for their strong liberal arts programs. These colleges also offer top-tier economics and political science programs. Many students choose Claremont for the small class sizes and personalized education.

Claremont and the colleges are tightly linked. The town offers plenty of internships and job opportunities, particularly in education and politics. Many local businesses collaborate with the colleges, giving students hands-on experience in their fields before their four years are up. 

Apartments near The Claremont Colleges | Houses for rent near The Claremont Colleges

Methodology

College towns are qualified as towns or cities with at least one college or university and fewer than 400,000 people according to U.S. Census data. Average rental data from Rent.com in May 2024.

This is not a comprehensive list of all of the towns and cities in the state meeting those requirements.

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