Unlike most states in the USA, the number of football colleges in California is on the high side. Research has shown that California has over 100 football schools.
Not that all of these schools focus on footballing careers, but colleges in California believe in the fine balance of education and athletics. Hence why, the majority of the schools in California focus also on athletics while grooming the students intellectually.
Football has become an intricate part of the California college system. Most students look forward to joining the football team of any of the schools they make it into, the big question is how do I find the perfect football college for me?
If you’re looking to join a school’s football team in California college, this guide will help you find a list of top football colleges in the state. We have ensured you have all you need to know to be able to make a choice of the best school for you.
Are There Football Colleges In California?
As stated earlier, the state of California has over one hundred football colleges and universities all of which focus on training students in football as well as grooming them intellectually.
How Many College Football Teams are in California?
With over 100 football colleges, California has a long list of football teams as well. These football teams have an established track record of excellence in footballing as well as academics in the United States.
Out of the long list of football teams in the state, California boasts 22 prominent college football teams some of which are the California Golden Bears, San Diego State Aztecs, Southern California Trojans, and UCLA Bruins.
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List Of The Best Football Colleges In California
With a long list of football schools in California, it may be difficult to choose any of the schools or universities on the list. Here we have come up with a list of the top 10 colleges in California best for footballers.
Although the choice of a “good” college is person dependent, the schools on this list have been vetted based on schools academies’ overall quality, athletic competitiveness, and available training facilities.
#1. University of Southern California
- Location: Los Angeles, California
- Average Graduation Rate: Great
- Team Net Profit/Loss: $17,016,508
- Total Team Revenue: $53,380,160
- Total Number Of Team Members: 118
- Average Academic Progress Rate: 970
- Average Tuition Fees Per Student: $61,503
The University of Southern California (USC) is one of the oldest private research universities in California. Over the years the school has established an outstanding record in delivering quality education. Its Men’s football team is no exception.
The University of Southern California is home to the USC Trojans, an outstanding football team that is part of the Pac-12 Conference. Currently, the team is made up of 118 players trained and guided by a head coach and 13 assistant coaches.
Due to their prowess in football, USC Trojans generated $53,380,160 in revenue, after expenses of $36,363,652, the school boasts $17,016,508 in net profit.
#2. San Diego State University
- Location: San Diego, California
- Average Graduation Rate: Great
- Team Net Profit/Loss: $-3,322,693
- Total Team Revenue: $13,576,870
- Total Number Of Team Members: 119
- Average Academic Progress Rate: 969
- Average Tuition Fees Per Student: $20,016
Since its establishment in 1897, San Diego State University has not just become a school of repute, it is one of the most affordable quality schools in California. Besides successful academics, San Diego State University has also been reckoned as one of the schools that creates a fun academic balance for its students.
San Diego State University boasts of a successful football program and an intense football culture. Currently, the school has a total of 119 players led and trained by one head coach and 10 assistant coaches.
The students of San Diego State University who are footballers have shown an academic progress rate of 969. The team generated $13,576,870 in revenue for the school, after all expenses, the school ran a loss of $-3,322,693 to be exact.
#3. Stanford University
- Location: Stanford, California
- Average Graduation Rate: Great
- Team Net Profit/Loss: $13,194,124
- Total Team Revenue: $40,933,017
- Total Number Of Team Members: 102
- Average Academic Progress Rate: 990
- Average Tuition Fees Per Student: $56,169
You’ve probably heard about Stanford University, one of the top leading schools in the world. Hence why it is no surprise that the Stanford University football team is one of the best football colleges in California.
Stanford University’s football team competes in 36 varsity sports, and the university is one of two private institutions in the Division I FBS Pac-12 Conference. The school has won the NACDA Directors’ Cup for 25 consecutive years.
Stanford University’s football team is 102 in number and is coached by one head coach and 10 assistant coaches. The team generated $40,933,017 in revenue, however with an expense of $27,738,893 the team boasts $13,194,124 in net profit.
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#4. University of California, Berkeley
- Location: Berkeley, California
- Average Graduation Rate: Great
- Team Net Profit/Loss: $4,905,945
- Total Team Revenue: $36,129,629
- Total Number Of Team Members: 128
- Average Academic Progress Rate: 977
- Average Tuition Fees Per Student: $43,980
The University of California is California’s first land-grant university and the first campus of the University of California system. Unlike most football colleges in California, UC Berkeley has had a strict academic standard for an athlete’s admission since 2014.
Because of the school’s excellence in athletics as well as academics, UC Berkeley competes in the Pac-12 Conference and has won 107 national championships.
Currently, the University of California, Berkeley has a total of 121 players in its men’s football team who are trained and guided by one head coach and 10 assistant coaches. UC Berkeley Golden Bears boasts a net profit of $4,905,945 after generating a revenue of $36,129,629.
#5. University of California – Los Angeles
- Location: Los Angeles, California
- Average Graduation Rate: Great
- Team Net Profit/Loss: $5,237,110
- Total Team Revenue: $37,548,589
- Total Number Of Team Members: 128
- Average Academic Progress Rate: 944
- Average Tuition Fees Per Student: $43,012
UCLA is not just one of the best schools for D1 (FBS) Men’s Football athletes in California, it is also one of the best colleges for footballers in the state.
With an active football team that competes with 36 varsity athletes, the University of California Los Angeles has a total team number of 128 all-men players headed by one head coach and 10 assistant coaches.
UCLA football team boasts of an academic progress rate of 944 which is proof that they are both intellectually and athletically excellent. Currently, the UCLA football team has a net profit of $5,237,110, after generating a revenue of $37,548,589 and paying out $32,311,479 in expenses.
#6. San Jose State University
- Location: San Jose, California
- Team Net Profit/Loss: $0.00
- Average Graduation Rate: Great
- Total Team Revenue: $10,287,259
- Total Number Of Team Members: 100
- Average Academic Progress Rate: 952
- Average Tuition Fees Per Student: $19,732
San Jose State University is not just one of California’s best schools but also one of the most affordable. The school’s sports team; the Spartans and competes in the NCAA Division I FBS Mountain West Conference.
Winning in many competitions, the Spartan football team appears in the College Football Playoff ranking at No. 24 in AP Poll after finishing the 2020 season 7-1. The team of 100 is led by one head coach and 10 assistant coaches.
San Jose State University FBS Men’s Football team generated a revenue of $10,287,259 in a single year although there is no profit to show for it due to team expenses. The Spartans football team is excellent in academics as in football showing off a 952 academic progress rate.
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#7. California State University – Fresno
- Location: Fresno, California
- Team Net Profit/Loss: $0.00
- Average Graduation Rate: Great
- Total Team Revenue: $13,361,612
- Total Number Of Team Members: 117
- Average Academic Progress Rate: 954
- Average Tuition Fees Per Student: $18,533
California State University – Fresno is a large public school that awarded 5,099 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021. The football team of Fresno State as it is popularly called has won two NCAA Division I Championships.
The team is made up of 117 all-men players led and kept in shape by one head coach and 14 assistant coaches. With an academic progress rate of 954, it’s, without doubt, to say that Fresno State football team players are academically sound as well as athletic.
The team’s finances on the other hand are on the downhill as the record shows that the team’s total expenses equals the revenue of $13,361,612 generated.
#8. California State University, Sacramento
- Location: Sacramento, California
- Team Net Profit/Loss: N/A
- Average Graduation Rate: Great
- Total Team Revenue: Not Specified
- Total Number Of Team Members: N/A
- Average Academic Progress Rate: Great
- Average Tuition Fees Per Student: N/A
California State University in Sacramento is one of the colleges for footballers in California. Since its inception in 1947, the school has excelled in academics and also in sports.
Sacramento State sports teams participate in NCAA Division I (FCS for College Football). All players have a chance to get scholarships as offered by the school which is a rare opportunity.
#9. California Polytechnic State University
- Location: San Luis Obispo
- Team Net Profit/Loss: N/A
- Average Graduation Rate: Great
- Total Team Revenue: Not Specified
- Total Number Of Team Members: N/A
- Average Academic Progress Rate: Great
- Average Tuition Fees Per Student: N/A
Cal Poly as it’s called is open to football students who are willing to combine athletics and academics without dropping anyone. The Polytechnic athletic teams participate in the Big West Conference which is one of the biggest conferences in California.
California Polytechnic State University won 35 NCAA Division II national team championships and competed in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) before joining Division I in 1994.
#9. University of Redlands
- Location: Redlands, California
- Team Net Profit/Loss: N/A
- Average Graduation Rate: Great
- Total Team Revenue: Not Specified
- Total Number Of Team Members: N/A
- Average Academic Progress Rate: Great
- Average Tuition Fees Per Student: N/A
The University of Redlands is a private university and one of the few whose football teams compete in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC), which operates within NCAA Division III.
The team’s athletic progress has won numerous championships; 70 percent of the university’s varsity teams have ranked in the top 25 nationally in NCAA Division III and SCIAC since 2009.
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#10. Mt. San Antonio College
- Location: Walnut, California
- Team Net Profit/Loss: N/A
- Average Graduation Rate: Great
- Total Team Revenue: Not Specified
- Total Number Of Team Members: N/A
- Average Academic Progress Rate: Great
- Average Tuition Fees Per Student: N/A
Mt. San Antonio College (Mt. SAC) is a public community college in California and one of the best football colleges in the state.
Due to the valve of athletics in the school, Mt. San Antonio College has over 50 student clubs and athletic programs. Most of Mt. San Antonio College alumni are and were NFL players.
Conclusion
From the list above, we hope you find the best colleges fit for your footballing passion as well as academics. Using the link provided, visit the website of any of the schools you’ve chosen and enquire more about learning and football programs.
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