Nine campuses where you can make your dreams a reality

Each campus is highly ranked. Each campus offers you the chance to learn in a unique environment. Each campus has their own area of academic expertise—making each one a center of innovation all its own.

Having nine great campuses gives you more freedom to choose the type of learning environment you prefer. From various academic pursuits, to great weather, and a mix of cities and small college towns—there’s a campus that’s right for everyone.

Learn More

Learn More

Are you interested in finding out more information about University of California’s campuses? Do you have questions about our undergraduate programs? Learn more by completing this form. This is for students interested in bachelor’s degree programs. For students looking for information on master’s and PhD programs, please visit graduate admissions.


Fields with a * are required

| Cancel and close form

UC Berkeley

Berkeley, California

Consistently ranked as one of the world’s premier public universities, UC Berkeley upholds a longstanding tradition of academic excellence, student activism, and pre-eminent research for students from all socio-economic and geographic backgrounds. The UC Berkeley campus combines classic architecture and landscape with the latest research, living, and dining facilities, all overlooking the San Francisco Bay.

Fun fact: The periodic table of elements includes four elements — lawrencium, californium, berkelium, and seaborgium — discovered by Berkeley researchers.

Mascot: Oski the Bear

Top areas of study:

Learn More

UC Davis

Davis, California

Established in 1905, UC Davis is recognized worldwide for its expertise and innovation in agriculture, viticulture and enology, environmental sustainability, biological sciences and veterinary medicine.

In addition to top-ranked academics that are the hallmark of a UC education, Davis students have access to the largest internship program in the nation, a dedicated undergraduate research center and a 200,000-member alumni network.

UC Davis is also known for its friendly, active campus community, unmatched school pride and vibrant college town experience.

Fun fact: Davis has the highest number of bikes per capita of any U.S. city.

Mascot: Gunrock the Mustang

Top areas of study:

Learn More

UC Irvine

Irvine, California

Located in Orange County, Irvine was one of three UC campuses established in the 1960’s to meet the growing enrollment needs of the system and reach more Californians.

Today, Irvine is a top research university that also administers the UC Irvine Medical Center, The UC Irvine Health Sciences system, the University of California, Irvine Arboretum and a portion of the California Natural Reserve System.

Fun fact: UC Irvine ranks first in the U.S. and fifth in the world among the 100 best universities less than 50 years old, according to an analysis by Times Higher Education.

Mascot: Peter the Anteater

Top areas of study:

Learn More

UCLA

Los Angeles, California

Diverse, progressive and surrounded by one of the most influential cities in the world, UCLA operates on a global level. Consistently ranked in the top tier of national and international universities, UCLA is powered by extensive resources, a renowned reputation, and most importantly, the will to make a real difference in the world—the result can be felt far beyond the campus.

Fun fact: Illuminating the many pathways of discovery, UCLA's “Fiat Lux - Let There Be Light” program offers 200 small group freshman seminars annually.

Mascot: Joe & Josephine Bruin

Top areas of study:

Learn More

UC Merced

Merced, California

UC Merced is the system’s newest campus, offering current and future students the opportunity to write the first chapter of an entirely new legacy. Before Merced was opened in 2005, the San Joaquin Valley was the most populated part of the state without a UC campus.

The Merced campus is a destination all its own, yet still close to many major cities and natural resources: an hour north of Fresno, two hours south of Sacramento, two hours southeast of San Francisco and the Silicon Valley, and 90 minutes west of Yosemite National Park.

Fun fact: UC Merced is revolutionizing the solar power industry, developing technology for stationary solar panels that make solar energy more efficient and less expensive.

Mascot: Golden Bobcats

Top areas of study:

Learn More

UC Riverside

Riverside, California

Founded in 1907, UC Riverside is a top-ranked research university that is widely recognized as one of the most ethnically and economically diverse research universities in the United States.

With enrollment expected to reach 21,000 students by 2015, more than $730 million has been invested in new construction projects for the quickly booming campus.

Fun fact: With projects like the new Southern California Research Initiative for Solar Energy, which aims to stimulate the addition of green solar energy across the Southern California, or converting the first floor of Winston Chung Hall to rare earth lithium-ion battery power, UC Riverside is a leader in energy innovation.

Mascot: Scotty the Bear

Top areas of study:

Learn More

UC San Diego

San Diego, California

Situated on the eastern edge of the culturally and commercially vibrant Pacific Rim, UC San Diego is a competitive research university internationally recognized for prize-winning faculty, top-ranked academic programs, and exceptional starting salaries and professional school placement for its graduates.

And the 1,200-acre campus is just a short walk from the beach in one of the most beautiful locations in the world!

Fun fact: Every year the campus rocks the legendary Sun God Festival, featuring popular music and indie groups. The festival is named after the iconic Sungod statue on campus, home to one of the most important public art collections in the country.

Mascot: King Triton

Top areas of study:

Learn More

UC Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California

UCSB’s campus sits on coastal cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean and features a strong focus on interdisciplinary research programs. UCSB is home to twelve national research centers including the Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics.

Part of what makes UCSB’s programs so respected are the faculty members students have the chance to learn from which includes five Nobel Prize laureates. With a strong focus on undergraduate education, students have many opportunities to engage in research projects with faculty recognized worldwide as top scholars in their disciplines. UCSB offers students a balanced lifestyle with leadership development programs, student organizations, community engagement, and career preparation woven into daily life.

Fun fact: The campus has its own beach, including a lagoon, which has helped UCSB’s marine science programs achieve global recognition.

Mascot: Gaucho

Top areas of study:

Learn More

UC Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California

UC Santa Cruz — recently ranked second in the world for research influence by Times Higher Education World University Rankings — is known for its interdisciplinary approach to education, innovative research, and world-class faculty and facilities. The campus is located on the beautiful Monterey Bay, close to Silicon Valley, which affords unparalleled research and internship opportunities.

With majors in the arts, engineering, humanities, physical and biological sciences, and social sciences, UC Santa Cruz provides a unique opportunity for undergraduate students to engage in research and special projects, work with faculty, and participate in a variety of co-curricular activities.

The campus is divided into ten residential colleges, combining the intimacy of a small liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university.

Fun fact: Did you know that Maya Rudolph, co-star of the hit movie Bridesmaids, is a UCSC alumna?

Mascot: Sammy the Banana Slug

Top areas of study:

Learn More