Online Colleges in California

If you want to earn a college degree you can find a variety of online colleges in California, from technical schools and community colleges to four-year universities. A degree qualifies you for a wide range of job opportunities, higher salary structures, and prepares you for advanced studies. The benefits of earning an online degree in your home state include more affordable in-state tuition, valuable networking connections, and school name recognition after graduation. This guide introduces the best online colleges in California, and important resources for students in the state.

Featured Online Schools

Higher Learning Initiatives in California

California High School Outreach Program Inventory

In the early 2000s, the California Postsecondary Education Commission put together a $127 million budget to fund 20 different college outreach programs to encourage high school students to attend college after graduation. Included in these outreach programs was the opportunity to enroll in online college AP classes while still in high school. These early AP courses give high school students a feel for what they could expect from an online college in California. Included in the online college program for high school students were online courses, textbooks, tutoring, and AP test preparation free of charge.

Extended University Programs

In an effort to increase post-college employment in California, the California Postsecondary Education Commission created a host of Extended University Programs that provided students with training programs and career resources to help them find jobs to jumpstart their careers. One of the most popular Extended University Programs featured online college courses, which were designed to foster key career skills for student job seekers. According to the 2005 update on this Extended University Program, the program contributed to employee growth in some of California's biggest industries, such as business, agricultural business, communications, life sciences, computer electronic engineering, and more. According to the report, the California Postsecondary Education Commission helped achieve this feat by providing online resources that created well-educated workers in these key industries.

Full-Time/Part-Time Enrollment Ratio

One area that the California Postsecondary Education Commission focused on was providing accessible, cost-effective higher education for college students in California. In its research, the Commission discovered that there was a reduction in part-time enrollment in two-year and online colleges over the years. The Commission did further research to discover the reason was because there was a need for more part-time enrollment options in colleges, including evening classes and online classes, which allow students to have course flexibility and attend to their personal schedules in addition to school. The Commission also strongly encouraged students to consider additional college enterprises, such as National University, the University of Phoenix, and other online schools in California, as opposed to community colleges and brick-and-mortar universities, in seeking out part-time degree programs.

Popular Degree Programs in California

The third biggest state in the country, California boasts numerous major industries. It's no surprise that the state Hollywood calls home boasts a higher than average number of film, video, and photographic arts majors. The most common major in California, business management and administration, is also the most popular degree in 34 other states.

• Film, video, and photographic arts: Film, video, and photographic arts majors include a variety of fields. Students specialize in areas including film production, video editing, acting, screenwriting, media management, and more. California's burgeoning film and entertainment industries make this a very attractive major for in-state students and, as a result, the state boasts many schools with strong arts programs.

• Business management and administration: Business management and administration is the most common major in 35 states, including California. A very practical and far-ranging degree, graduates can earn a good salary and work in nearly any industry. Business management involves overseeing all aspects of running a business and can also include aspects of accounting, marketing, and finance.

Paying for College in California

When deciding which college to attend, consider price along with a variety of other factors. If you qualify for in-state tuition you pay much less than you would attending an out-of-state school. Also, attending a public two-year school can save money. Even if you want a bachelor's degree, you can take California community college online courses to earn the first two years of credit towards your degree.

Tuition Prices

Compared to the national average, California students pay slightly less in-state tuition for public four-year schools and significantly less to attend public two-year colleges. If you want to attend an online community college, California is a good place to enroll. Keep in mind other costs are not factored into the price for tuition and fees, like books, transportation, and rent.

Average Price for In-State Tuition and Fees by Institution Type, 2017-18

Source: College Board

Employment Outlook in California

The fifth largest economy in the world, California offers an excellent employment outlook for students and recent college graduates. California workers earn approximately 113% of what the average worker in most other states makes, and the annual mean wage for Californians of $57,190 significantly outpaces the national average of $50,620.

Source: BLS

Source: BLS

Accreditation for Colleges in California

You can find many accredited online colleges in California. Accredited schools must meet quality standards set by the larger higher education community. Independent accrediting agencies determine if schools qualify for accreditation based on a variety of criteria, including the quality of curriculum, instructors, and student services. By attending an accredited program, you increase your chances of receiving a high-quality education that will give you the skills to succeed in your chosen field.

There are two types of accreditation for schools: regional and national. Most colleges and universities hold the more prestigious and popular regional accreditation. Schools almost always accept transfer credit from regionally-accredited colleges. Regional accreditation agencies only provide accreditation to schools in designated geographic regions. Schools that focus heavily on professional and technical degrees often hold the less prestigious national accreditation. National accrediting agencies do not organize themselves based on geography. Many colleges do not accept transfer credits from nationally accredited schools.

Online colleges in California receive accreditation from the same accrediting agencies as traditional brick-and-mortar schools. When choosing an online program, look for schools with accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. You can also look for the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges if you plan to go to a community college.

Scholarships for California Online College Students

As the cost of higher education continues to rise, paying for your degree can cause stress. Thankfully, students attending online colleges in California qualify for many different kinds of financial aid, including scholarships. A variety of scholarships exist specifically to support students in California, including those listed below.

Resources for Students in California

• California College Pathways: CPC helps current and former foster youth in California attend state colleges and universities. It offers resources and does advocacy work to help foster youth succeed academically.

• CaliforniaColleges.edu: This website helps students make smart decisions about higher education and career goals. The site explains financial aid options, offers FAFSA assistance, help finding a suitable career, the right college, and help applying to college.

• The Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities: The AICCU consists of 83 private, nonprofit colleges in California. Its website includes information about choosing, affording, and applying to college. It also offers a guide to the state's private, nonprofit colleges and universities.

• Foundation for California Community Colleges: This foundation supports the California Community College system. Its mission includes supporting California's community colleges by encouraging collaboration and innovation. Students can find information about a variety of initiatives related to higher education and community colleges in California on its website.

• California Student Aid Commission: The main state agency that coordinates financial aid programs for students attending college in California, the commission's mission is making college affordable for all state residents. Its website includes a large section for students, with information on finding and applying for financial aid, a FAQ on the Cal Grant Program, student forms, and additional resources.

Online Schools in California