It’s no secret that the college admissions process is becoming increasingly competitive. With so many high-achieving students vying for a limited number of spots, many top schools now admit fewer than 10% of applicants. So what does this mean for students who don’t quite cut their dream school? They can always apply to one of California’s many safety schools!
The best safety schools in California are UC Santa Cruz, UC Davis, UC Irvine, San Diego State University, and California State University – Sacramento. These schools are all highly ranked and have excellent programs. You should consider applying to one or more of these schools to increase your chances of getting into college.
In this article, we’ll go over some of the best safety schools in California with better acceptance rateshttps://ananuniversity.com/hbcus-with-high-acceptance-rates/ and quality degrees so that you can have a backup plan for your education.
Some top quality Safety Schools in California Include:
| School | Average GPA | Acceptance Rate | Location |
| Scripps College | 4.13 | 32% | Claremont, California |
| University of California – Irvine | 3.92 | 26.5% | Irvine, California |
| California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo | 3.87 | 28.4% | San Luis Obispo, California |
| Westmont College | 3.8 | 64.8% | Santa Barbara, California |
| Chapman University | 3.68 | 55.7% | Orange, California |
| Mills College | 3.64 | 75.8% | Oakland, California |
| University of California – Riverside | 3.6 | 56.5% | Riverside, California |
| Whittier College | 3.47 | 57.1% | Whittier, California |
| Concordia University – Irvine | 3.42 | 70.8% | Irvine, California |
| San Jose State University | 3.31 | 63.6% | San Jose, California |
| San Francisco State University | 3.2 | 67.3% | San Francisco, California |
| Hope International University | 3.25 | 36.8% | Fullerton, California |
| California State University – Sacramento | 3.25 | 82.3% | Sacramento, California |
| University of California – Santa Cruz | 3.73 | 51.3% | Santa Cruz, California |
| San Diego State University | 3.6 | 34.1% | San Diego, California |
What is a Safety School?
A safety school is a college or university you will likely get into based on your academic credentials. There are three types of colleges in the United States: reach schools, target schools, and safety schools. A safety school is one of your best options for getting into college because your chances of being accepted are very high.
Some students think they should only apply to reach schools, but that is not always the best option. Applying only to reach schools can be very competitive and stressful, and you may not get into any of them. It is essential to have a mix of reach, target, and safety schools to have a good chance of getting into at least one college.
How to Choose a Good Safety School?
When it comes to choosing a college, there are a lot of different factors to consider. But if you’re looking for a good safety school in California, you should keep a few things in mind.
1. Your academic qualifications: If you have solid grades and test scores, you’ll have a better chance of getting into a top-tier school. But if your grades are average or below average, you may want to consider a safety school.
2. The budget: Top-tier schools can be costly, so a safety school may be a better option if you’re on a tight budget.
3. Career goals: If you’re not sure what you want to do after college, a safety school may be a good choice. But if you have specific career goals in mind, you may want to choose a school that specializes in that area.
4. Your personal preferences: Consider location, size, and atmosphere when choosing a college. If you’re not sure what you’re looking for, take some time to visit different schools and see what they have to offer.
The Best 8 Safety Schools in California
Westmont College
- Acceptance rate: 64.8%
- GPA: 3.8
- SAT: 1100 to 1330
- ACT: 21 to 30
- Tuition: $45,410
Westmont College is one of the best safety schools in California. It is located in Santa Barbara and is a private liberal arts college.
The college has an excellent academic reputation and offers a great education. The campus is lovely, and the student body is welcoming. The college also has a strong athletics program.
University of California – Irvine
- Acceptance rate: 26.5%
- GPA: 3.92
- SAT: 1170 to 1420
- ACT: 24 to 33
- Tuition (out-of-state): $41,196
When it comes to college, there are a lot of different factors that come into play. For some students, getting into the best school possible is the most important thing. For others, the priority is finding an affordable school. And for some students, the most critical factor is finding a school close to home.
If that’s what you’re looking for, you should consider the University of California – Irvine. UC Irvine is one of the best safety schools in California, and it’s easy to see why.
The university has an excellent reputation, and it’s consistently ranked as one of the top public universities in the country. It’s also very affordable, with tuition rates that are lower than average for both in-state and out-of-state students. Finally, UC Irvine is located in beautiful Irvine, just a short drive from Los Angeles and San Diego.
Scripps College
- Acceptance rate: 32%
- GPA: 4.13
- SAT: 1333 to 1490
- ACT: 30 to 33
- Tuition: $56,970
When it comes to choosing a college, safety schools are often overlooked. But a safety school can be an excellent choice for undecided students or still exploring their options. Scripps College in California is one of the best safety schools in the state. With its small student population and focus on the liberal arts, Scripps provides a supportive and close-knit community for its students.
The college also firmly commits to diversity and inclusion, with programs and resources that help students from all backgrounds succeed. If you’re looking for a college where you can explore your interests without feeling pressure to declare a major right away, Scripps is worth considering.
California State University – Sacramento
- Acceptance rate: 82.3%
- GPA: 3.25
- SAT: 940 to 1140
- ACT: 16 to 22
- Tuition (out-of-state): $17,622
If you’re looking for a safety school in California, look no further than California State University – Sacramento. This school is regularly ranked as one of the best safety schools in the state, and for a good reason.
The school has an excellent reputation, and it’s affordable too. It’s one of the most affordable schools in California. Located in a great city – Sacramento, a great place to live, work and play.
There are plenty of things to do in Sacramento, and the city is growing rapidly. It’s a great place to be if you’re looking for a safe, affordable, and fun place to go to college.
San Francisco State University
- Acceptance rate: 67.3%
- GPA: 3.2
- SAT: 940 to 1150
- ACT: 17 to 23
- Tuition (out-of-state): $17,622
San Francisco State University is one of the best safety schools in California. It has a great location in the city, and its academics are top-notch. The school also has a strong reputation for safety and security.
University of California, Santa Cruz
- Acceptance rate: 51.3%
- GPA: 3.73
- SAT: 1200 to 1380
- ACT: 26 to 32
- Tuition (out-of-state): $41,196
The University of California, Santa Cruz, is another excellent safety school in California. The school has a great reputation for academic excellence, and its location in the city is ideal for students who want to be close to the city’s best life.
Whittier College
- Acceptance rate: 57.1%
- GPA: 3.47
- SAT: 1038 to 1220
- ACT: 20 to 26
- Tuition: $48,924
If you’re looking for a good safety school in California, look no further than Whittier College! Whittier College is a private liberal arts college located in Whittier, California, just outside Los Angeles. Founded in 1887, the college has a long history of academic excellence and is committed to providing students with a well-rounded education.
Whittier College is consistently ranked as one of the best colleges in California. It is a great choice for students looking for a top-notch education at an affordable price. In addition to its excellent academics, Whittier College is also known for its strong student community.
San Jose State University
- Acceptance rate: 63.6%
- GPA: 3.31
- SAT: 1020 to 1260
- ACT: 18 to 27
- Tuition (out-of-state): $17,622
San Jose State University is one of the best safety schools in California. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, SJSU is a top choice for students looking for quality education at an affordable price. With over 145 degree programs to choose from, SJSU has something for everyone.
SJSU is known for its top-notch academic programs, diverse student body, and vibrant campus life. The university is dedicated to providing students with a well-rounded education and preparing them for career success. SJSU graduates are highly sought after by employers and have a reputation for being hard-working and successful.
FAQs on The Best Schools in California
Is Berkeley a safety school?
UC Berkeley is not a safety school. There is no guarantee of getting admitted even if your Academic credentials are well above the school’s average. To top it all, the school is very competitive and has an acceptance rate of 17%.
On the bright side, Berkeley has a very low crime rate and a strong police presence on campus. Additionally, Berkeley has a good reputation for academic excellence, and employers respect the degree.
Is UCLA a Safety School?
There’s a lot of debate on whether or not UCLA is a safety school. While its admissions requirements aren’t as stringent as the ivy league schools, UCLA is a highly competitive school. Its acceptance rate for fall 2022 was 14%, meaning it accepted only about one in seven applicants.
So, is UCLA a safety school? As for me, I will say it is not. However, it depends on how you define “safety school.” If you’re looking for a school where your chances of getting in are pretty high, then UCLA may not be the best choice. However, if you’re looking for a school that’s still highly respected and has great academics, then UCLA could be a good option.
Is Rutgers a Safety School?
Rutgers is one of the best safety schools in California. It has an excellent reputation and offers a lot of financial aid.
Safety Schools in California for 3.8 GPA
Here are some safety schools that takes 3.8 GPA in California:
Westmont College
- GPA: 3.8
- SAT: 1100 to 1330
- ACT: 21 to 30
University of California – San Diego
- GPA: 3.82
- SAT: 1250 to 1490
- ACT: 26 to 34
Soka University of America
- GPA: 3.86
- SAT: 1240 to 1430
- ACT: 26 to 32
California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo
- GPA: 3.87
- SAT: 1240 to 1440
- ACT: 26 to 32
University of San Diego
- GPA: 3.88
- SAT: 1190 to 1370
- ACT: 26 to 31
Safety Schools in California for 4.0 GPA
The Good safety schools for a 4.0 student in California is Scripps College it has: GPA: 4.13, SAT Average: 1333 to 1490 and ACT Average: 30 to 33.
Final Words
In conclusion, the best safety schools in California include California State University – Sacramento, San Diego State University, UC Santa Cruz, UC Davis, and UC Irvine. All of these institutions have outstanding programs and good rankings. If you want to boost your chances of being accepted into college, you should consider applying to one or more of these institutions.
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