by PoolBoy

Created on: August 09, 2010

When considering which of these state schools are the best in California, it is important not to simply look at academic standing or national ranking, the life in California is one in which there is an emphasis on actual quality of life and the college experience,  which parallels academia respectively.  Anyone who is searching for national ranking can simply look in a Newsweek magazine, what is considered to be the “best” schools in California should have both academic prestige and quality living, with such an abundance of options available in the state of California, there is no reason to require anything less.

UCLA-University of California at Los Angeles-Nationally ranked within the top 10 on a continual basis, and the top 20 worldwide, UCLA is an ideal college for a serious student on the weekdays, who would like to have some fun ever so often on the weekends.  Located just outside the famous Beverly Hills, California the external campus surroundings are homey and yet exude a certain amount of luxury.  The styling of the campus itself is amazing, boasting unique brick architecture with a hint of Roman design.  As a student you will be 15 minutes away from Santa Monica pier and the beach in about 20 minutes away from the Hollywood bowl to catch a quick concert.  You'll also be in the middle of one of the most rigorous academic environments imaginable that will be challenging to say the least.

UC Berkeley -University of California Berkeley-with a stark contrast in lifestyle but by no means and academics, UC Berkeley is continually a realistic option to achieve the number one public school spot nationally.  It has done it before and will undoubtedly do it again.  Needless to say with such a title comes an academic environment that is truly unparalleled in California.  The off campus life is honestly a bit gloomy, the city of Berkeley is quaint and for the most part friendly however it is anything but glamorous.  The upside is that you can take a quick tram into the city of San Francisco and view some remarkable sites when you do manage to get yourself some leisure time.

Cal Poly SLO-California Poly-Technical Institute at San Luis Obispo-widely considered the most prominent California state school, Cal Poly at San Luis Obispo is a fully integrated and ingenious system of learning.  Engineering and architecture majors fight for the top spots, but Cal Poly also offers many other majors that are

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>