These are the best online colleges in California with diverse student bodies that have robust online degree offerings.
It’s an undeniable fact that American society is a diverse society, made up of people with backgrounds from all over the world. This needs to be reflected at all levels of society, including higher education. More and more, colleges are asserting commitments to diversion, inclusion, and equity, through their mission statements, their academic programs, student organizations, centers, and other venues.
Student populations are becoming more diverse, with BIPOC students occupying a larger share of academia than ever before. Accordingly, schools are learning to better serve and empower these student populations, especially schools with significantly large diverse student percentages.
The national median for non-white enrollment by percentage is currently 58%. It is becoming increasingly common for colleges and universities to have white student populations accounting for less than this percentage. Every school on this list falls into this category, with many having 50% or less white student enrollment. They are ranked in order of diverse student population size.
Many institutions on this list are also military friendly schools, and some are recognized as Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, or first-generation student friendly schools.
California State University-Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA
Diversity
95%
CA Relative Cost
Key Facts Answers Total Enrollment 17,977 (8% fully online) Public or Private Public USDE Special Government Status Hispanic-Serving Institution Number of Online Programs 24 Accreditation Regional: WASC Senior College and University Commission Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $6,946 per year Net Cost by Income Source: National Center for Educational Statistics CAOnlineColleges.com Awards
Top California Online College #3 Most Affordable California Online College#6 Best Value California Online CollegeAdult Student Friendly SchoolDiverse Student BodyDisability Friendly SchoolHispanic-Serving Institution
See CSUDH’s full list of online degrees!Bethesda University
Anaheim, CA
Diversity
93%
CA Relative Cost
Key Facts Answers Total Enrollment 397 (12% fully online) Public or Private Private Number of Online Programs 6 Accreditation National: Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $8,095 per year Net Cost by Income Source: National Center for Educational Statistics CAOnlineColleges.com Awards
Adult Student Friendly SchoolExperienced Online SchoolDiverse Student BodyFirst-Generation Student Friendly School
See BU’s full list of online degrees!Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA
Diversity
92%
CA Relative Cost
Key Facts Answers Total Enrollment 2,855 (6% fully online) Public or Private Private USDE Special Government Status Women-Only, Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution, Hispanic-Serving Institution Number of Online Programs 6 Accreditation Regional: Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $42,792 per year Net Cost by Income Source: National Center for Educational Statistics CAOnlineColleges.com Awards
#9 Best California Online CollegeA Best Value California Online College Diverse Student BodyFirst-Generation Student Friendly SchoolAsian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving InstitutionHispanic-Serving Institution
See MSMU’s full list of online degrees!San Bernardino Valley College
San Bernardino, CA
Diversity
90%
CA Relative Cost
Key Facts Answers Total Enrollment 14,872 Public or Private Public USDE Special Government Status Hispanic-Serving Institution Number of Online Programs 9 Accreditation Regional: WASC Senior College and University Commission Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $1,238 per year Net Cost by Income Source: National Center for Educational Statistics CAOnlineColleges.com Awards
Top California Online Community College Adult Student Friendly SchoolDiverse Student BodyDisability Friendly SchoolHispanic-Serving Institution
See SBVC’s full list of online degrees!California State University-San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA
Diversity
89%
CA Relative Cost
Key Facts Answers Total Enrollment 20,638 (4% fully online) Public or Private Public USDE Special Government Status Hispanic-Serving Institution Number of Online Programs 12 Accreditation Regional: WASC Senior College and University Commission Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $6,886 per year Net Cost by Income Source: National Center for Educational Statistics CAOnlineColleges.com Awards
Diverse Student BodyFirst-Generation Student Friendly SchoolHispanic-Serving Institution
See CSUSB’s full list of online degrees!University of California-Riverside
Riverside, CA
Diversity
89%
CA Relative Cost
Key Facts Answers Total Enrollment 25,547 (0% fully online) Public or Private Public Number of Online Programs 25 Accreditation Regional: WASC Senior College and University Commission Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $13,853 per year Net Cost by Income Source: National Center for Educational Statistics
See UCR’s full list of online degrees!University of California-Irvine
Irvine, CA
Diversity
87%
CA Relative Cost
Key Facts Answers Total Enrollment 36,908 (1% fully online) Public or Private Public USDE Special Government Status Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution, Hispanic-Serving Institution Number of Online Programs 63 Accreditation Regional: WASC Senior College and University Commission Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $13,727 per year Net Cost by Income Source: National Center for Educational Statistics CAOnlineColleges.com Awards
Diverse Student BodyDisability Friendly SchoolFirst-Generation Student Friendly SchoolAsian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving InstitutionHispanic-Serving Institution
See UCI’s full list of online degrees!Holy Names University
Oakland, CA
Diversity
86%
CA Relative Cost
Key Facts Answers Total Enrollment 966 (1% fully online) Public or Private Private USDE Special Government Status Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution, Hispanic-Serving Institution Number of Online Programs 6 Accreditation Regional: WASC Senior College and University Commission Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $40,102 per year Net Cost by Income Source: National Center for Educational Statistics CAOnlineColleges.com Awards
Top California Online College Diverse Student BodyDisability Friendly SchoolFirst-Generation Student Friendly SchoolAsian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving InstitutionHispanic-Serving Institution
See HNU’s full list of online degrees!Academy of Art University
San Francisco, CA
Diversity
85%
CA Relative Cost
Key Facts Answers Total Enrollment 9,812 (43% fully online) Public or Private For-profit Number of Online Programs 132 Accreditation Regional: WASC Senior College and University Commission Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $23,412 per year Net Cost by Income Source: National Center for Educational Statistics CAOnlineColleges.com Awards
#7 Best California Online CollegeA Most Affordable California Online College #8 Best Value California Online CollegeAdult Student Friendly SchoolExperienced Online SchoolDiverse Student Body
See AAU’s full list of online degrees!California State University-East Bay
Hayward, CA
Diversity
85%
CA Relative Cost
Key Facts Answers Total Enrollment 16,064 (12% fully online) Public or Private Public USDE Special Government Status Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution, Hispanic-Serving Institution Number of Online Programs 19 Accreditation Regional: WASC Senior College and University Commission Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $7,000 per year Net Cost by Income Source: National Center for Educational Statistics CAOnlineColleges.com Awards
#10 Best California Online College#4 Most Affordable California Online College#5 Best Value California Online CollegeAdult Student Friendly SchoolExperienced Online SchoolDiverse Student BodyDisability Friendly SchoolAsian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving InstitutionHispanic-Serving Institution
See CSUEB’s full list of online degrees!San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA
Diversity
84%
CA Relative Cost
Key Facts Answers Total Enrollment 29,032 (2% fully online) Public or Private Public USDE Special Government Status Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution, Hispanic-Serving Institution Number of Online Programs 21 Accreditation Regional: WASC Senior College and University Commission Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $7,266 per year Net Cost by Income Source: National Center for Educational Statistics CAOnlineColleges.com Awards
Diverse Student BodyDisability Friendly SchoolFirst-Generation Student Friendly SchoolAsian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving InstitutionHispanic-Serving Institution
See SFSU’s full list of online degrees!De Anza College
Cupertino, CA
Diversity
83%
CA Relative Cost
Key Facts Answers Total Enrollment 18,669 Public or Private Public USDE Special Government Status Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution Number of Online Programs 3 Accreditation Regional: Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $1,561 per year Net Cost by Income Source: National Center for Educational Statistics CAOnlineColleges.com Awards
Top California Online Community College Adult Student Friendly SchoolDiverse Student BodyDisability Friendly SchoolAsian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution
See DAC’s full list of online degrees!Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA
Diversity
83%
CA Relative Cost
Key Facts Answers Total Enrollment 27,052 Public or Private Public USDE Special Government Status Hispanic-Serving Institution Number of Online Programs 4 Accreditation Regional: Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $1,160 per year Net Cost by Income Source: National Center for Educational Statistics CAOnlineColleges.com Awards
Adult Student Friendly SchoolDiverse Student BodyMilitary Friendly SchoolHispanic-Serving Institution
See SAC’s full list of online degrees!California State University-Fresno
Fresno, CA
Diversity
82%
CA Relative Cost
Key Facts Answers Total Enrollment 24,298 (1% fully online) Public or Private Public USDE Special Government Status Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution, Hispanic-Serving Institution Number of Online Programs 19 Accreditation Regional: WASC Senior College and University Commission Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $6,589 per year Net Cost by Income Source: National Center for Educational Statistics CAOnlineColleges.com Awards
#2 Best California Online College#1 Most Affordable California Online College#1 Best Value California Online CollegeDiverse Student BodyFirst-Generation Student Friendly SchoolAsian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving InstitutionHispanic-Serving Institution
See CSUF’s full list of online degrees!California State University-Fullerton
Fullerton, CA
Diversity
82%
CA Relative Cost
Key Facts Answers Total Enrollment 40,445 (5% fully online) Public or Private Public USDE Special Government Status Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution, Hispanic-Serving Institution Number of Online Programs 18 Accreditation Regional: WASC Senior College and University Commission Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $6,924 per year Net Cost by Income Source: National Center for Educational Statistics CAOnlineColleges.com Awards
#1 Best California Online College#2 Most Affordable California Online College#2 Best Value California Online CollegeDiverse Student BodyAsian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving InstitutionHispanic-Serving Institution
See CSUF’s full list of online degrees!CBD College
Los Angeles, CA
Diversity
81%
CA Relative Cost
Key Facts Answers Total Enrollment 788 Public or Private Private Number of Online Programs 0 Accreditation National: No Overall Accreditation; Various Programmatic Accreditations Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $38,635 per year Net Cost by Income Source: National Center for Educational Statistics CAOnlineColleges.com Awards
Adult Student Friendly SchoolDiverse Student BodyFirst-Generation Student Friendly School
See CBDC’s full list of online degrees!California State University-Northridge
Northridge, CA
Diversity
80%
CA Relative Cost
Key Facts Answers Total Enrollment 39,910 (4% fully online) Public or Private Public USDE Special Government Status Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution, Hispanic-Serving Institution Number of Online Programs 20 Accreditation Regional: WASC Senior College and University Commission Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $6,977 per year Net Cost by Income Source: National Center for Educational Statistics CAOnlineColleges.com Awards
Diverse Student BodyDisability Friendly SchoolFirst-Generation Student Friendly SchoolAsian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving InstitutionHispanic-Serving Institution
See CSUN’s full list of online degrees!California State University-Stanislaus
Turlock, CA
Diversity
80%
CA Relative Cost
Key Facts Answers Total Enrollment 10,974 (2% fully online) Public or Private Public USDE Special Government Status Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution, Hispanic-Serving Institution Number of Online Programs 8 Accreditation Regional: WASC Senior College and University Commission Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $7,542 per year Net Cost by Income Source: National Center for Educational Statistics CAOnlineColleges.com Awards
Top California Online College #6 Most Affordable California Online College#7 Best Value California Online CollegeDiverse Student BodyFirst-Generation Student Friendly SchoolAsian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving InstitutionHispanic-Serving Institution
See CSUS’s full list of online degrees!City College of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Diversity
80%
CA Relative Cost
Key Facts Answers Total Enrollment 24,441 Public or Private Public USDE Special Government Status Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution Number of Online Programs 35 Accreditation Regional: WASC Senior College and University Commission Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $1,144 per year Net Cost by Income Source: National Center for Educational Statistics CAOnlineColleges.com Awards
#1 California Online Community CollegeAdult Student Friendly SchoolDiverse Student BodyDisability Friendly SchoolAsian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution
See CCSF’s full list of online degrees!University of La Verne
La Verne, CA
Diversity
80%
CA Relative Cost
Key Facts Answers Total Enrollment 7,396 (12% fully online) Public or Private Private USDE Special Government Status Hispanic-Serving Institution Number of Online Programs 10 Accreditation Regional: WASC Senior College and University Commission Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $44,550 per year Net Cost by Income Source: National Center for Educational Statistics CAOnlineColleges.com Awards
Adult Student Friendly SchoolExperienced Online SchoolDiverse Student BodyHispanic-Serving Institution
See ULV’s full list of online degrees!Allan Hancock College
Santa Maria, CA
Diversity
79%
CA Relative Cost
Key Facts Answers Total Enrollment 11,894 Public or Private Public USDE Special Government Status Hispanic-Serving Institution Number of Online Programs 53 Accreditation Regional: WASC Senior College and University Commission Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $1,352 per year Net Cost by Income Source: National Center for Educational Statistics CAOnlineColleges.com Awards
#3 California Online Community CollegeDiverse Student BodyDisability Friendly SchoolMilitary Friendly SchoolHispanic-Serving Institution
See AHC’s full list of online degrees!University of the Pacific
Stockton, CA
Diversity
78%
CA Relative Cost
Key Facts Answers Total Enrollment 6,447 (0% fully online) Public or Private Private USDE Special Government Status Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution Number of Online Programs 4 Accreditation Regional: WASC Senior College and University Commission Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $49,588 per year Net Cost by Income Source: National Center for Educational Statistics CAOnlineColleges.com Awards
Diverse Student BodyDisability Friendly SchoolFirst-Generation Student Friendly SchoolAsian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution
See UP’s full list of online degrees!University of California-Davis
Davis, CA
Diversity
77%
CA Relative Cost
Key Facts Answers Total Enrollment 38,634 (0% fully online) Public or Private Public USDE Special Government Status Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution Number of Online Programs 16 Accreditation Regional: WASC Senior College and University Commission Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $14,495 per year Net Cost by Income Source: National Center for Educational Statistics CAOnlineColleges.com Awards
Diverse Student BodyFirst-Generation Student Friendly SchoolMilitary Friendly SchoolAsian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution
See UCD’s full list of online degrees!California State University-Monterey Bay
Seaside, CA
Diversity
76%
CA Relative Cost
Key Facts Answers Total Enrollment 7,650 (6% fully online) Public or Private Public USDE Special Government Status Hispanic-Serving Institution Number of Online Programs 3 Accreditation Regional: WASC Senior College and University Commission Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $7,143 per year Net Cost by Income Source: National Center for Educational Statistics CAOnlineColleges.com Awards
Diverse Student BodyDisability Friendly SchoolFirst-Generation Student Friendly SchoolHispanic-Serving Institution
See CSUMB’s full list of online degrees!California State University-Sacramento
Sacramento, CA
Diversity
75%
CA Relative Cost
Key Facts Answers Total Enrollment 31,992 (2% fully online) Public or Private Public USDE Special Government Status Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution, Hispanic-Serving Institution Number of Online Programs 8 Accreditation Regional: WASC Senior College and University Commission Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $7,368 per year Net Cost by Income Source: National Center for Educational Statistics CAOnlineColleges.com Awards
#5 Best California Online College#5 Most Affordable California Online College#4 Best Value California Online CollegeDiverse Student BodyAsian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving InstitutionHispanic-Serving Institution
See CSUS’s full list of online degrees!Sacramento City College
Sacramento, CA
Diversity
75%
CA Relative Cost
Key Facts Answers Total Enrollment 20,829 Public or Private Public USDE Special Government Status Hispanic-Serving Institution Number of Online Programs 14 Accreditation Regional: WASC Senior College and University Commission Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $1,104 per year Net Cost by Income Source: National Center for Educational Statistics CAOnlineColleges.com Awards
#10 California Online Community CollegeAdult Student Friendly SchoolDiverse Student BodyDisability Friendly SchoolMilitary Friendly SchoolHispanic-Serving Institution
See SCC’s full list of online degrees!
The following institutions do not offer full degree programs, only online certificates
Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, CA
Diversity
74%
CA Relative Cost
Key Facts Answers Total Enrollment 4,300 (16% fully online) Public or Private Private USDE Special Government Status Hispanic-Serving Institution Number of Online Programs 15 Accreditation Regional: WASC Senior College and University Commission Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $32,950 per year Net Cost by Income Source: National Center for Educational Statistics CAOnlineColleges.com Awards
Top California Online College A Most Affordable California Online College A Best Value California Online College Adult Student Friendly SchoolExperienced Online SchoolDiverse Student BodyMilitary Friendly SchoolHispanic-Serving Institution
See FPU’s full list of online degrees!Loma Linda University
Loma Linda, CA
Diversity
74%
CA Relative Cost
Key Facts Answers Total Enrollment 4,462 (10% fully online) Public or Private Private Number of Online Programs 5 Accreditation Regional: WASC Senior College and University Commission Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $31,680 per year Net Cost by Income Source: National Center for Educational Statistics CAOnlineColleges.com Awards
Adult Student Friendly SchoolExperienced Online SchoolDiverse Student Body
See LLU’s full list of online degrees!University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
Diversity
74%
CA Relative Cost
Key Facts Answers Total Enrollment 44,371 (1% fully online) Public or Private Public Number of Online Programs 1 Accreditation Regional: WASC Senior College and University Commission Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $13,240 per year Net Cost by Income Source: National Center for Educational Statistics CAOnlineColleges.com Awards
Diverse Student BodyDisability Friendly SchoolFirst-Generation Student Friendly School
See UCLA’s full list of online degrees!