PPIC - Public Policy Institute of California
02/17/2026 | Press release | Archived content
California’s Higher Education System
California is home to the largest higher education system in the United States.
- California colleges and universities account for 15% of full-time equivalent (FTE) enrollment of all higher education institutions in the United States.
- About 83% of college students in California attend a public institution, with nearly half enrolled in the community college system.
- California's master plan for higher education lays out the goals for the state's three public segments: University of California (UC), California State University (CSU), and California Community Colleges (CCC).
- In 2024-25 California spent just over $23 billion in state funds to support its higher education institutions and financial aid system, accounting for about 7% of the state's budget.
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