By major
Where can your student actually get in, by major?
The campus admit rate hides the gate that matters. These pages assemble, for one major at a time, the admit rate into the program where the University of California or the CSU reports one, what families pay with aid, and what graduates earn four years out. Every page has a plain-text summary an AI assistant can read, and a prompt to hand it.
Accounting
35 California colleges, 15 with a reported gate into the program.
Hardest gate: San Diego State University, 28.0%; highest: Sonoma State University, 96.5%.
Hardest gate: San Diego State University, 28.0%; highest: Sonoma State University, 96.5%.
Aerospace Engineering
12 California colleges, 11 with a reported gate into the program.
Hardest gate: University of California-Berkeley, 3%; highest: University of California-Merced, 97%.
Hardest gate: University of California-Berkeley, 3%; highest: University of California-Merced, 97%.
Animal Science
5 California colleges, 5 with a reported gate into the program.
Hardest gate: University of California-Davis, 30%; highest: California State University-Fresno, 95.3%.
Hardest gate: University of California-Davis, 30%; highest: California State University-Fresno, 95.3%.
Anthropology
31 California colleges, 29 with a reported gate into the program.
Hardest gate: University of California-Los Angeles, 9%; highest: California State University-Fresno, 100.0%.
Hardest gate: University of California-Los Angeles, 9%; highest: California State University-Fresno, 100.0%.
Architecture
9 California colleges, 4 with a reported gate into the program.
Hardest gate: University of California-Berkeley, 7%; highest: California State University-Fresno, 96.6%.
Hardest gate: University of California-Berkeley, 7%; highest: California State University-Fresno, 96.6%.
Art (Studio)
37 California colleges, 27 with a reported gate into the program.
Hardest gate: University of California-Los Angeles, 3%; highest: California State University-Fresno, 97.1%.
Hardest gate: University of California-Los Angeles, 3%; highest: California State University-Fresno, 97.1%.
Art History
22 California colleges, 20 with a reported gate into the program.
Hardest gate: University of California-Los Angeles, 9%; highest: California State University-Channel Islands, 100.0%.
Hardest gate: University of California-Los Angeles, 9%; highest: California State University-Channel Islands, 100.0%.
Biochemistry
32 California colleges, 21 with a reported gate into the program.
Hardest gate: University of California-Los Angeles, 16%; highest: California State University-Fresno, 97.5%.
Hardest gate: University of California-Los Angeles, 16%; highest: California State University-Fresno, 97.5%.
Biology
58 California colleges, 31 with a reported gate into the program.
Hardest gate: University of California-Los Angeles, 11%; highest: California State University-Monterey Bay, 98.2%.
Hardest gate: University of California-Los Angeles, 11%; highest: California State University-Monterey Bay, 98.2%.
Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering
15 California colleges, 10 with a reported gate into the program.
Hardest gate: University of California-Los Angeles, 8%; highest: University of California-Merced, 97%.
Hardest gate: University of California-Los Angeles, 8%; highest: University of California-Merced, 97%.
Business Administration
59 California colleges, 27 with a reported gate into the program.
Hardest gate: University of California-Berkeley, 5%; highest: California State University-Monterey Bay, 96.1%.
Hardest gate: University of California-Berkeley, 5%; highest: California State University-Monterey Bay, 96.1%.
Chemical Engineering
12 California colleges, 11 with a reported gate into the program.
Hardest gate: University of California-Los Angeles, 12%; highest: University of California-Merced, 96%.
Hardest gate: University of California-Los Angeles, 12%; highest: University of California-Merced, 96%.
Chemistry
32 California colleges, 29 with a reported gate into the program.
Hardest gate: University of California-Berkeley, 11%; highest: California State University-Fresno, 98.5%.
Hardest gate: University of California-Berkeley, 11%; highest: California State University-Fresno, 98.5%.
Child Development
29 California colleges, 24 with a reported gate into the program.
Hardest gate: California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, 23.3%; highest: California State University-Stanislaus, 96.6%.
Hardest gate: California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, 23.3%; highest: California State University-Stanislaus, 96.6%.
Civil Engineering
24 California colleges, 18 with a reported gate into the program.
Hardest gate: University of California-Los Angeles, 8%; highest: University of California-Merced, 97%.
Hardest gate: University of California-Los Angeles, 8%; highest: University of California-Merced, 97%.
Cognitive Science
12 California colleges, 7 with a reported gate into the program.
Hardest gate: University of California-Berkeley, 21%; highest: California State University-Stanislaus, 100.0%.
Hardest gate: University of California-Berkeley, 21%; highest: California State University-Stanislaus, 100.0%.
Communication
49 California colleges, 26 with a reported gate into the program.
Hardest gate: University of California-Berkeley, 6%; highest: California State University-Stanislaus, 100.0%.
Hardest gate: University of California-Berkeley, 6%; highest: California State University-Stanislaus, 100.0%.
Computer Engineering
26 California colleges, 22 with a reported gate into the program.
Hardest gate: University of California-Los Angeles, 5%; highest: California State University-San Bernardino, 95.3%.
Hardest gate: University of California-Los Angeles, 5%; highest: California State University-San Bernardino, 95.3%.
Computer Science
49 California colleges, 30 with a reported gate into the program.
Hardest gate: University of California-Berkeley, 4%; highest: California State University-Monterey Bay, 95.7%.
Hardest gate: University of California-Berkeley, 4%; highest: California State University-Monterey Bay, 95.7%.
Construction Management
9 California colleges, 9 with a reported gate into the program.
Hardest gate: California State University-Long Beach, 21.3%; highest: California State University-Sacramento, 93.9%.
Hardest gate: California State University-Long Beach, 21.3%; highest: California State University-Sacramento, 93.9%.
Criminal Justice and Criminology
28 California colleges, 19 with a reported gate into the program.
Hardest gate: California State University-Long Beach, 31.1%; highest: California State University-Fresno, 95.5%.
Hardest gate: California State University-Long Beach, 31.1%; highest: California State University-Fresno, 95.5%.
Data Science
11 California colleges, 11 with a reported gate into the program.
Hardest gate: University of California-Berkeley, 14%; highest: California State University-Channel Islands, 97.3%.
Hardest gate: University of California-Berkeley, 14%; highest: California State University-Channel Islands, 97.3%.
Design (graphic, interior, industrial)
28 California colleges, 15 with a reported gate into the program.
Hardest gate: University of California-Davis, 20%; highest: California State University-Monterey Bay, 97.8%.
Hardest gate: University of California-Davis, 20%; highest: California State University-Monterey Bay, 97.8%.
Economics
43 California colleges, 27 with a reported gate into the program.
Hardest gate: University of California-Berkeley, 5%; highest: California State University-Fresno, 95.9%.
Hardest gate: University of California-Berkeley, 5%; highest: California State University-Fresno, 95.9%.
Electrical Engineering
24 California colleges, 19 with a reported gate into the program.
Hardest gate: University of California-Los Angeles, 9%; highest: Sonoma State University, 94.8%.
Hardest gate: University of California-Los Angeles, 9%; highest: Sonoma State University, 94.8%.
English
50 California colleges, 30 with a reported gate into the program.
Hardest gate: University of California-Los Angeles, 10%; highest: California State University-Monterey Bay, 100.0%.
Hardest gate: University of California-Los Angeles, 10%; highest: California State University-Monterey Bay, 100.0%.
Environmental Engineering
10 California colleges, 10 with a reported gate into the program.
Hardest gate: University of California-Berkeley, 16%; highest: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt, 97.3%.
Hardest gate: University of California-Berkeley, 16%; highest: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt, 97.3%.
Environmental Science
34 California colleges, 25 with a reported gate into the program.
Hardest gate: University of California-Los Angeles, 11%; highest: California State University-Fresno, 100.0%.
Hardest gate: University of California-Los Angeles, 11%; highest: California State University-Fresno, 100.0%.
Film and Television
33 California colleges, 16 with a reported gate into the program.
Hardest gate: University of California-Irvine, 30%; highest: California State University-Monterey Bay, 96.1%.
Hardest gate: University of California-Irvine, 30%; highest: California State University-Monterey Bay, 96.1%.
Finance
24 California colleges, 15 with a reported gate into the program.
Hardest gate: San Diego State University, 30.6%; highest: California State University-Dominguez Hills, 96.0%.
Hardest gate: San Diego State University, 30.6%; highest: California State University-Dominguez Hills, 96.0%.
Global and International Studies
18 California colleges, 13 with a reported gate into the program.
Hardest gate: University of California-Berkeley, 22%; highest: California State University-Monterey Bay, 95.1%.
Hardest gate: University of California-Berkeley, 22%; highest: California State University-Monterey Bay, 95.1%.
Health Science
15 California colleges, 5 with a reported gate into the program.
Hardest gate: California State University-East Bay, 85.9%; highest: California State University-Dominguez Hills, 95.4%.
Hardest gate: California State University-East Bay, 85.9%; highest: California State University-Dominguez Hills, 95.4%.
History
36 California colleges, 30 with a reported gate into the program.
Hardest gate: University of California-Berkeley, 13%; highest: Sonoma State University, 98.8%.
Hardest gate: University of California-Berkeley, 13%; highest: Sonoma State University, 98.8%.
Industrial Engineering
8 California colleges, 5 with a reported gate into the program.
Hardest gate: California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, 42.6%; highest: California State University-Northridge, 94.5%.
Hardest gate: California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, 42.6%; highest: California State University-Northridge, 94.5%.
Information Systems
22 California colleges, 16 with a reported gate into the program.
Hardest gate: University of California-Irvine, 20%; highest: California State University-Channel Islands, 98.1%.
Hardest gate: University of California-Irvine, 20%; highest: California State University-Channel Islands, 98.1%.
Journalism
22 California colleges, 16 with a reported gate into the program.
Hardest gate: University of California-Irvine, 36%; highest: California State University-Sacramento, 97.2%.
Hardest gate: University of California-Irvine, 36%; highest: California State University-Sacramento, 97.2%.
Kinesiology
36 California colleges, 21 with a reported gate into the program.
Hardest gate: California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, 12.1%; highest: California State University-Monterey Bay, 97.7%.
Hardest gate: California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, 12.1%; highest: California State University-Monterey Bay, 97.7%.
Legal Studies (pre-law)
4 California colleges, 3 with a reported gate into the program.
Hardest gate: University of California-Berkeley, 5%; highest: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt, 87.8%.
Hardest gate: University of California-Berkeley, 5%; highest: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt, 87.8%.
Liberal Studies (teacher preparation)
31 California colleges, 25 with a reported gate into the program.
Hardest gate: University of California-San Diego, 30%; highest: Sonoma State University, 100.0%.
Hardest gate: University of California-San Diego, 30%; highest: Sonoma State University, 100.0%.
Linguistics
18 California colleges, 18 with a reported gate into the program.
Hardest gate: University of California-Los Angeles, 13%; highest: California State University-San Bernardino, 100.0%.
Hardest gate: University of California-Los Angeles, 13%; highest: California State University-San Bernardino, 100.0%.
Marine Biology
13 California colleges, 13 with a reported gate into the program.
Hardest gate: University of California-Los Angeles, 4%; highest: California State University-Monterey Bay, 97.5%.
Hardest gate: University of California-Los Angeles, 4%; highest: California State University-Monterey Bay, 97.5%.
Marketing
28 California colleges, 14 with a reported gate into the program.
Hardest gate: California State University-Long Beach, 25.9%; highest: California State University-Stanislaus, 95.0%.
Hardest gate: California State University-Long Beach, 25.9%; highest: California State University-Stanislaus, 95.0%.
Mathematics
36 California colleges, 30 with a reported gate into the program.
Hardest gate: University of California-Berkeley, 23%; highest: California State University-San Bernardino, 99.3%.
Hardest gate: University of California-Berkeley, 23%; highest: California State University-San Bernardino, 99.3%.
Mechanical Engineering
29 California colleges, 20 with a reported gate into the program.
Hardest gate: University of California-Berkeley, 4%; highest: University of California-Merced, 97%.
Hardest gate: University of California-Berkeley, 4%; highest: University of California-Merced, 97%.
Microbiology
19 California colleges, 14 with a reported gate into the program.
Hardest gate: University of California-Berkeley, 18%; highest: California State University-Chico, 98.7%.
Hardest gate: University of California-Berkeley, 18%; highest: California State University-Chico, 98.7%.
Music
39 California colleges, 29 with a reported gate into the program.
Hardest gate: California State University-Long Beach, 23.1%; highest: California State University-Fullerton, 100.0%.
Hardest gate: California State University-Long Beach, 23.1%; highest: California State University-Fullerton, 100.0%.
Neuroscience
12 California colleges, 6 with a reported gate into the program.
Hardest gate: University of California-Berkeley, 15%; highest: University of California-Merced, 96%.
Hardest gate: University of California-Berkeley, 15%; highest: University of California-Merced, 96%.
Nursing (BSN)
47 California colleges, 12 with a reported gate into the program.
Hardest gate: University of California-Irvine, 1%; highest: San Francisco State University, 100.0%.
Hardest gate: University of California-Irvine, 1%; highest: San Francisco State University, 100.0%.
Nutrition and Dietetics
14 California colleges, 13 with a reported gate into the program.
Hardest gate: California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, 46.8%; highest: California State University-Fresno, 95.1%.
Hardest gate: California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, 46.8%; highest: California State University-Fresno, 95.1%.
Philosophy
30 California colleges, 27 with a reported gate into the program.
Hardest gate: University of California-Los Angeles, 10%; highest: California State University-Stanislaus, 100.0%.
Hardest gate: University of California-Los Angeles, 10%; highest: California State University-Stanislaus, 100.0%.
Physics
31 California colleges, 29 with a reported gate into the program.
Hardest gate: University of California-Los Angeles, 14%; highest: California State University-San Bernardino, 98.5%.
Hardest gate: University of California-Los Angeles, 14%; highest: California State University-San Bernardino, 98.5%.
Political Science
52 California colleges, 30 with a reported gate into the program.
Hardest gate: University of California-Berkeley, 11%; highest: California State University-Monterey Bay, 100.0%.
Hardest gate: University of California-Berkeley, 11%; highest: California State University-Monterey Bay, 100.0%.
Psychology
57 California colleges, 30 with a reported gate into the program.
Hardest gate: University of California-Berkeley, 5%; highest: University of California-Santa Cruz, 99%.
Hardest gate: University of California-Berkeley, 5%; highest: University of California-Santa Cruz, 99%.
Public Health
27 California colleges, 22 with a reported gate into the program.
Hardest gate: University of California-Berkeley, 2%; highest: California State University-San Bernardino, 97.0%.
Hardest gate: University of California-Berkeley, 2%; highest: California State University-San Bernardino, 97.0%.
Social Work
20 California colleges, 13 with a reported gate into the program.
Hardest gate: University of California-Berkeley, 14%; highest: California State University-San Bernardino, 92.3%.
Hardest gate: University of California-Berkeley, 14%; highest: California State University-San Bernardino, 92.3%.
Sociology
47 California colleges, 30 with a reported gate into the program.
Hardest gate: University of California-Berkeley, 11%; highest: California State University-Fresno, 97.6%.
Hardest gate: University of California-Berkeley, 11%; highest: California State University-Fresno, 97.6%.
Statistics
18 California colleges, 16 with a reported gate into the program.
Hardest gate: University of California-Berkeley, 15%; highest: California State University-Monterey Bay, 97.0%.
Hardest gate: University of California-Berkeley, 15%; highest: California State University-Monterey Bay, 97.0%.
Theatre
35 California colleges, 27 with a reported gate into the program.
Hardest gate: University of California-Los Angeles, 8%; highest: California State University-Sacramento, 97.4%.
Hardest gate: University of California-Los Angeles, 8%; highest: California State University-Sacramento, 97.4%.
Sources: UC Information Center (first-year applicants and admits by major), CSU Chancellor's Office (applications and admissions by major, first-time freshman and transfer), federal College Scorecard (earnings), IPEDS (admit rate, net price, cost of attendance). Admits are not enrollees; at most UC programs, students are admitted to the campus, not the major.