California is the largest state in the United of America. It is home to more than percent of the country's total population. It also the largest education system in the country. The and university system is divided into four parts. parts are the University of California system, the State University system, the community college system, and institutions.

The UC system has more than 230,000 at its 10 Campuses. It is considered the prestigious system in the state. It includes top like UC Berkeley, and the University of California, Angeles (UCLA). Both schools rank in the top universities in the country, with Berkeley in the 10. A degree from the UC system is sought, and the academic standards are higher than other systems. They are also more expensive.

The State Universities counts 23 universities in its system. is a diversified system that includes two polytechnic , and a maritime university. These schools offer vocational maritime education, but also offer traditional, academic programs. systems enrollment is approximately 450,000 students, with about ,000 faculty members.

The California Community Colleges system is largest systems of higher education in the state, the world. It boasts 112 campuses, and serves 2.4 million students. It offers transfer degrees, vocational , and associates degree programs.

California is also home a large number of privately owned and operated . These schools have no ties to the state system, but some do accept transfer students from colleges. The most notable and prestigious schools in state are Stanford University, in Palo Alto, and University of Southern California, in Los Angeles.