California isn’t just about beautiful beaches and golden sunshine; it’s also the home of some of the best party schools in US, according to students across the state.
As the college year begins, prospective students are figuring out where they want to spend their next four years.
And some of them are choosing the best party schools in California where they can study and as well have fun with their friends.
If you have an interest in knowing more about the schools for party planning in California, this guide will tell you all about which colleges have the best social scenes.
With this information, you can decide if one of these California party schools is right for you.
Learn more: 15 Best NAIA Schools in California To Get Into
What are the Top Party Schools in California?
Some of the top Cal state party schools include;
- California State University (CSU) Chico
- University of California – Los Angeles
- University of California – UC-Berkeley
- California State University Fullerton
- University of California UC Davis
- San Diego State University
- California Polytechnic State University
- California State University CSU Long Beach
- Harvey Mudd College – Claremont CA party school
- Santa Clara University party school
- University of California, Santa Barbara
- University of Southern California
California State University (CSU) Chico
The California State University (CSU) is the first on our list, and it is one of the best Cal state party schools.
It is a public research university located in Chico, California, and was founded in 1887.
Chico State has a party school reputation for good reason: 68% of its students take advantage of its party registration program.
Also read: 20 Easiest CSU To Get Into With Facts
University of California – Los Angeles
UCLA is one of those party schools that students simply can’t get enough of – and that shows through their actions.
This university is famous for its parties and is one of the biggest party schools in California.
From concerts and outdoor movie nights to school-wide festivals featuring artists like Macklemore and Kendrick Lamar, etc.
Campus life at UCLA is almost always fun – even during midterms.
Learn more: The 12 Best Safety Schools In California To Get Into
University of California – UC-Berkeley
The University of California at Berkeley is a public research institution in Berkeley established in 1868. It is also one of the top California party schools.
It is also home to more than 30,000 students from around California and has been ranked as one of the best Universities in the world by 4icu.org.
The college offers a wide variety of clubs and activities—including fraternities and sororities—that help shape a unique student experience at each school.
California State University Fullerton
Fullerton is part of a research consortium consisting of 50-plus campuses across California and more than 20 additional universities worldwide.
If you’re more interested in partying, Fullerton—which has made it onto numerous party school lists—might be right for you.
Today CSU Fullerton boasts an enrollment above 38,000 students and has one of the most party colleges in California.
Also read: The 15 Best Party Schools in the United Kingdom For Freshers
The University of California at Davis
The University of California at Davis is a public research university and one of the schools for party planning in California.
Some of the programs offered in this school include;
- Research and experimental psychology
- Econometrics and quantitative economics
- Management sciences and quantitative methods
- Neurobiology and Anatomy
- Biology/biological sciences
UC Davis also boasts numerous fraternities and sororities that draw plenty of attention from both current and potential UC Davis students.
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San Diego State University
If you don’t know that students party at San Diego State University (SDSU), then you haven’t been paying attention.
San Diego State University is a public research university and one of the best party colleges in California founded in 1897.
For whatever reason San Diego State University manages to keep its party culture under wraps.
But if you ask anyone who goes there they will tell you they party as hard or harder than any other school.
California Polytechnic State University
Located in San Luis Obispo and founded in 1901, Cal Poly is known for its very active Greek life and Greek Row, a long list of prominent alumni, and beautiful location in coastal Central California.
It is one of the top Cal state party schools and has been ranked severally by Niche, The Princeton Review, and U.S. News & World Report.
You can have good fun here and make friends when you enroll in this university.
Also read: Best 40+ Party Schools in Canada Based on Highest Party Hours
California State University CSU Long Beach
Long Beach State (aka Long Beach State University or CSU Long Beach) is a public research university located in long beach.
It is also home to some of the largest party colleges in California, the 322-acre campus is the second largest of the 23-school California State University system.
In addition to its party scene, Long Beach is also known for its athletics and academics.
The CSU Long Beach sports program has won many national titles over the years and some of their teams have earned nicknames like Beach Birds or 49ers.
Harvey Mudd College – Claremont CA
Located in Claremont CA, Harvey Mudd College is a well-known private college in Claremont CA. It is also one of the best Californian party colleges.
The main campus is located in Claremont CA and is home to approximately 1,000 undergraduates and 900 graduate students.
Students looking for party planning schools in California should not miss out on this school.
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara is a private Jesuit university that was founded in 1851, it is also one of the oldest party schools in California.
The school is technically off-campus and located about 10 miles from downtown San Jose— but partying at SCU has never been so popular.
Students described it as never lacking or having some of the best parties around.
If you’re looking for a good time, it might be worth moving back home. Just kidding! Maybe.
Also read: 12 Most Worthless Doctorates In The World: Useless PhDs
University of California, Santa Barbara
The University of California in Santa Barbara is a public research university with more than 23,000 undergraduates and 3000 graduates. It is also one of the top party colleges in US.
So, why do students at Santa Barbara think their school is a party school?
For starters, the University of California at Santa Barbara hosts more than 200 registered student organizations and extracurricular activities.
The campus’ Greek life also has a major presence. It all contributes to a thriving social scene that involves its fair share of partying.
The parties here are really unforgettable, past students always talk about it, and you can always balance your academic life while having fun.
Also read: 20 Hardest Grad Schools To Get Into in US, Canada, Europe
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private research university in Los Angeles and one of the top party colleges in California founded in 1880.
With plenty of on-campus housing for athletes and fraternities and sororities that receive their own buildings from alumni donations, there are more parties here than you can imagine.
Students here rave about USC’s parties – their friends say they’re one of a kind. They also say they’re so hot that they barely even remember them.
Other Top California Party Schools
- The Los Angeles Film School
- California Institute of the Arts, Valencia CA
- University of California – Riverside
- Academy of Art University – San Francisco
- Stanford University – Standford
- Pitzer College – Claremont CA
- Claremont McKenna College – Claremont CA
- Chapman University – Orange CA
- University of San Diego
Resources
- California State University (CSU) Chico
- University of California – Los Angeles
- University of California – UC-Berkeley
- California State University Fullerton
- University of California UC Davis
- San Diego State University
- California Polytechnic State University
- California State University CSU Long Beach
- Harvey Mudd College – Claremont CA
- Santa Clara University party school
- University of California, Santa Barbara
- University of Southern California
FAQs on Party Colleges in California
What is the biggest party school in california?
There are many big party schools in California, but judging from the landmass, California State University CSU Long Beach is the largest with over 320 acres.
What colleges are party schools?
Colleges that are party schools are simply those institutions designed for students to have party programs.
Why do colleges party on thursday?
Simply because some Thursday nights are like Saturday nights.