What are the 10 University of California campuses?

The University of California (UC) system is one of the world's premier public university networks, renowned for top-tier research, innovation, and academic excellence. It consists of 10 campuses spread across California, serving hundreds of thousands of students.

While the UC system officially lists 10 campuses, nine offer undergraduate programs (plus graduate degrees), and one—UC San Francisco—focuses exclusively on graduate and professional education in health sciences.

This guide answers the common question: What are the 10 University of California campuses? We'll cover the full list, key facts, locations, and what makes each unique.

The 10 UC Campuses: Full List

UC Berkeley

(Berkeley) The flagship campus, founded in 1868. World-famous for research, Nobel laureates, and vibrant activism. Strong in engineering, sciences, social sciences, and humanities. More

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UC Davis

(Davis) Known for agriculture, veterinary medicine, biological sciences, and sustainability. Features a massive campus with a bike-friendly college town vibe. More ‍

UC San Francisco

(San Francisco) Graduate/professional-only campus specializing in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and biomedical research. No undergraduate programs—home to top-ranked medical school and hospitals.

UC Santa Cruz

(Santa Cruz) Scenic campus in redwood forests with strong programs in environmental studies, sciences, arts, and social sciences. Known for its progressive culture and Banana Slugs mascot.

UC Merced

(Merced) The newest campus (opened 2005), located in the Central Valley. Focuses on sustainability, engineering, and interdisciplinary studies. Fast-growing and diverse student body.

UC Santa Barbara

(Santa Barbara) Beachside location with top rankings in physics, materials science, and environmental studies. Famous for its sunny weather, surf culture, and strong party-school reputation balanced by academics. More

UCLA

(Los Angeles) One of the most prestigious public universities globally. Excels in film, business, medicine, engineering, and athletics (Bruins). Urban campus in Westwood with massive enrollment.

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UC Riverside

(Riverside) Growing campus known for agriculture, public policy, and diversity. Strong research in sciences and humanities, with a more affordable Inland Empire location.

UC Irvine

(Irvine) Planned community campus excelling in computer science, business, criminology, and health sciences. Anteater mascot and high rankings in innovation.

UC San Diego

(La Jolla/San Diego) Top for STEM fields like biology, engineering, oceanography, and medicine. Stunning coastal location with strong research output and Triton spirit.

Why the UC System Stands Out

  • World-Class Rankings — Multiple campuses (like Berkeley, UCLA, UCSD) consistently rank among the top public universities nationally and globally.

  • Research Power — The system leads in Nobel prizes, patents, and breakthroughs in fields like tech, medicine, and climate science.

  • Accessibility — One application via UC Admissions lets you apply to multiple campuses.

  • Diversity & Impact — Serves a highly diverse student population and drives California's economy through innovation and workforce development.

Whether you're drawn to Berkeley's intellectual legacy, UCLA's Hollywood proximity, UCSD's ocean views, or Merced's fresh opportunities, the UC system has a campus for nearly every interest.

If you're applying or researching, check the official University of California website for the latest admissions details, majors, and virtual tours!