Students can earn a certificate at a two-year college. 

• You can usually finish in six months to a year.

• They’re practical and hands-on. You’ll learn skills for a specific career.

• You won’t have to take extra math, English, or GE classes.

Students can earn an Associate Degree at a two-year college if they are a full-time student

• They go into more depth than a certificate program. Students will take both General Education (GE) and major classes.

• Students can also transfer to a four-year college to finish the last two years of a bachelor’s degree.

  • Learn about the Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) program.

Students can earn a Bachelor's Degree in about four years if they’re a full-time student.

• Student will take both GE and major classes. The major classes will go into more depth than an associate degree program.

• Students can transfer from a two-year college to finish up their bachelor’s degree. 

California Community Colleges (CCC).

• There are 116 CCCs. One of them is totally online.

• You can get a certificate or associate degree. Some CCCs offer bachelor’s degrees.

• You can transfer to a four-year college after two years.  

• You need to be 18 or have a high school diploma. You might be able to take classes while you’re still in high school. 

California State University (CSU)

• There are 23 CSUs. 

• You can get a bachelor’s degree in a wide variety of majors. CSUs also offer master’s degrees and some doctoral degrees.

• Campuses range in size, from just under 1,000 to almost 40,000 students. 

• You need to complete “a-g” courses and meet CSU eligibility requirements. 

University of California (UC)

• There are 10 UCs. 

• Nine UCs offer bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in a wide variety of majors. UC San Francisco only offers graduate programs in health sciences.

• Most UCs have 20,000 to 30,000 students. UC Merced, the newest campus, has just under 8,000. 

• You need to complete “a-g” courses and meet UC eligibility requirements.