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The University of California System

The Nine UC Schools for Undergraduates

By , About.com Guide

California has one of the best state university systems in the country, and three of the schools below made my list of top public universities. The nine universities that offer undergraduate degrees are listed here from the most to least selective. Follow the profile link to get data related to admission standards, costs, and financial aid.

San Francisco also has a University of California campus, but it is dedicated exclusively to graduate study.

Be sure to check out these University of California comparison charts:

1. UC Berkeley

UC Berkeley Towerphoosh / Flickr

2. UCLA

UCLA Royce Hall_gene_ / flickr

3. UC San Diego

University of San Diego Geisel Librarykafka4prez / Flickr

4. UC Santa Barbara

UCSB Towerdoopokko / Flickr

5. UC Irvine

UC IrvineNed Raggett / Flickr
  • Acceptance Rate (2007): 56%
  • Enrollment: 26,483 (21,696 undergraduates)
  • Distinctions: Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa; member of the Association of American Universities; many highly-ranked programs including biology and health sciences, criminology, English, and psychology; member of the NCAA Division I Big West Conference
  • For admissions data, costs and financial aid information, check out the UC Irvine profile

6. UC Davis

UC Davis Arboretumludius / Flickr
  • Acceptance Rate (2007): 59%
  • Enrollment: 29,796 (23,478 undergraduates)
  • Distinctions: Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa; member of the Association of American Universities; huge 5,300-acre campus; highly ranked public university; member of the NCAA Division I Big West Conference
  • For admissions data, costs and financial aid information, check out the UC Davis profile

7. UC Santa Cruz

UCSC Lick Observatorythe tahoe guy / Flickr
  • Acceptance Rate (2007): 81%
  • Enrollment: 15,825 (14,403 undergraduates)
  • Distinctions: Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa; high number of students go on to earn doctorates; campus overlooks Monterey Bay and the Pacific Ocean; progressive curriculum
  • For admissions data, costs and financial aid information, check out the UCSC profile

8. UC Riverside

UCR Botanic Gardengtrwndr87 / Flickr
  • Acceptance Rate (2007): 86.7
  • Enrollment: 17,187 (14,973 undergraduates)
  • Distinctions: Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa; one of the most ethnically diverse research universities in the country; highly popular business program; member of the NCAA Division I Big West Conference
  • For admissions data, costs and financial aid information, check out the UC Riverside profile

9. UC Merced

UC Mercedr_neches / Flickr
  • Acceptance Rate (2007): 90%
  • Enrollment: 2,700
  • Distinctions: first new research university of the 21st century; state-of-the-art construction for minimal environmental impact
  • For admissions data, costs and financial aid information, check out the UC Merced profile

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