List of college athletic programs in California

Last updated

This is a list of college athletics programs in the U.S. state of California.

Contents


NCAA

Division I

USA California Northern location map.svg
Blue pog.svg
California
Blue pog.svg
Stanford
Blue pog.svg
Fresno State
Blue pog.svg
San Jose State
Red pog.svg
Sacramento State
Red pog.svg
UC Davis
Green pog.svg
Pacific
Green pog.svg
St. Mary's
Green pog.svg
San Francisco
Green pog.svg
Santa Clara
Full NCAA Division I members in California
Blue pog.svg – FBS football, Red pog.svg – FCS football, Green pog.svg – No football
USA California Southern location map.svg
Blue pog.svg
UCLA
Blue pog.svg
USC
Blue pog.svg
San Diego State
Red pog.svg
Cal Poly
Red pog.svg
San Diego
Green pog.svg
Cal State Bakersfield
Green pog.svg
UC Santa Barbara
Green pog.svg
UC San Diego
Green pog.svg
California Baptist
Green pog.svg
Cal State Fullerton
Green pog.svg
Cal State Northridge
Green pog.svg
Long Beach State
Green pog.svg
Loyola Marymount
Green pog.svg
Pepperdine
Green pog.svg
UC Irvine
Green pog.svg
UC Riverside
Full NCAA Division I members in California
Blue pog.svg – FBS football, Red pog.svg – FCS football, Green pog.svg – No football
TeamSchoolCityConferenceSport sponsorship
Foot-
ball
BasketballBase-
ball
Soft-
ball
Soccer
MWMW
California Baptist Lancers California Baptist University Riverside WAC Dark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
Cal Poly Mustangs California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo Big West FCS [a] Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners California State University, Bakersfield Bakersfield Big West Dark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
Cal State Fullerton Titans California State University, Fullerton Fullerton Big West Dark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
Cal State Northridge Matadors California State University, Northridge Los Angeles Big West Dark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
California Golden Bears University of California, Berkeley Berkeley ACC FBS Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
Fresno State Bulldogs California State University, Fresno Fresno Mountain West FBS Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svg
Long Beach State Beach (or "The Beach") California State University, Long Beach Long Beach Big West Dark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svg
Loyola Marymount Lions Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles West Coast Dark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
Pacific Tigers University of the Pacific Stockton West Coast Dark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
Pepperdine Waves Pepperdine University Malibu West Coast Dark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svg
Sacramento State Hornets California State University, Sacramento Sacramento Big Sky FCS Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg [b] Check-green.svgCheck-green.svg [c] Check-green.svg
Saint Mary's Gaels Saint Mary's College of California Moraga West Coast Dark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
San Diego Toreros University of San Diego San Diego West Coast FCS [d] Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
San Diego State Aztecs San Diego State University San Diego Mountain West FBS Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg [e] Check-green.svg
San Francisco Dons University of San Francisco San Francisco West Coast Dark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
San Jose State Spartans San José State University San Jose Mountain West FBS Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg [f] Check-green.svg
Santa Clara Broncos Santa Clara University Santa Clara West Coast Dark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
Stanford Cardinal Stanford University Stanford ACC FBS Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
UC Davis Aggies University of California, Davis Davis Big West FCS [a] Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
UC Irvine Anteaters University of California, Irvine Irvine Big West Dark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
UCLA Bruins University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles Big Ten FBS Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
UC Riverside Highlanders University of California, Riverside Riverside Big West Dark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
UC San Diego Tritons University of California, San Diego San Diego Big West Dark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
UC Santa Barbara Gauchos University of California, Santa Barbara Santa Barbara Big West Dark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
USC Trojans and Women of Troy University of Southern California Los Angeles Big Ten FBS Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svg
  1. 1 2 Cal Poly and UC Davis's football teams compete in the Big Sky Conference.
  2. Sacramento State's baseball team competes in the Western Athletic Conference.
  3. Sacramento State's men's soccer team competes in the Big West Conference.
  4. San Diego's football team competes in the Pioneer Football League.
  5. San Diego State's men's soccer team competes in the Western Athletic Conference.
  6. San Jose State's men's soccer team competes in the Western Athletic Conference.

Division II

TeamSchoolCityConferenceSport sponsorship
BasketballBase-
ball
Soft-
ball
Soccer
MWMW
Azusa Pacific Cougars Azusa Pacific University Azusa PacWest Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
Biola Eagles Biola University La Mirada PacWest Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
Cal Poly Humboldt Lumberjacks California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt Arcata CCAA Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
Cal Poly Pomona Broncos California State Polytechnic University, Pomona Pomona CCAA Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
Cal State Dominguez Hills Toros California State University, Dominguez Hills Carson CCAA Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
Cal State East Bay Pioneers California State University, East Bay Hayward CCAA Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
Chico State Wildcats California State University, Chico Chico CCAA Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
Cal State Los Angeles Golden Eagles California State University, Los Angeles Los Angeles CCAA Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
Cal State Monterey Bay Otters California State University, Monterey Bay Seaside CCAA Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
Cal State San Bernardino Coyotes California State University, San Bernardino San Bernardino CCAA Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
Cal State San Marcos Cougars California State University, San Marcos San Marcos CCAA Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
Concordia Eagles Concordia University, Irvine Irvine PacWest Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
Dominican Penguins Dominican University of California San Rafael PacWest Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
Fresno Pacific Sunbirds Fresno Pacific University Fresno PacWest Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
Jessup Warriors Jessup University Rocklin PacWest Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
Menlo Oaks [a] Menlo College Atherton PacWest Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
UC Merced Golden Bobcats [b] University of California, Merced Merced CCAA Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
Point Loma Nazarene Sea Lions Point Loma Nazarene University San Diego PacWest Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
San Francisco State Gators San Francisco State University San Francisco CCAA Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
Stanislaus State Warriors California State University, Stanislaus Turlock CCAA Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
Vanguard Lions Vanguard University Costa Mesa PacWest Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
Westmont Warriors Westmont College Santa Barbara PacWest Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
  1. As of the 2025–26 academic year, Menlo is in the second year (repeated) of a three-year transition to Division II and will become an active member in 2027–28.
  2. As of the 2025–26 academic year, UC Merced is in the first year of a three-year transition to Division II and will become an active member in 2028–29.

Division III

TeamSchool(s)CityConferenceSport sponsorship
Foot-
ball
BasketballBase-
ball
Soft-
ball
Soccer
MWMW
Cal Lutheran Kingsmen and Regals California Lutheran University Thousand Oaks Southern California Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
Caltech Beavers California Institute of Technology Pasadena Southern California Dark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
Chapman Panthers Chapman University Orange Southern California Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Stags and Athenas Claremont McKenna College
Harvey Mudd College
Scripps College
Claremont Southern California Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
La Verne Leopards University of La Verne La Verne Southern California Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
Occidental Tigers Occidental College Los Angeles Southern California Dark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens Pomona College
Pitzer College
Claremont Southern California Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
Redlands Bulldogs University of Redlands Redlands Southern California Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
UC Santa Cruz Banana Slugs University of California, Santa Cruz Santa Cruz Coast to Coast Dark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg
Whittier Poets Whittier College Whittier Southern California Dark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg

    NAIA

    TeamSchoolCityConferenceSport sponsorship
    BasketballBase-
    ball
    Soft-
    ball
    Soccer
    MWMWFootball
    Hope International Royals Hope International University Fullerton GSAC Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgDark Red x.svg
    La Sierra Golden Eagles La Sierra University Riverside GSAC Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgDark Red x.svg
    Life Pacific Warriors Life Pacific University San Dimas GSAC Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgDark Red x.svg
    The Master's Mustangs The Master's University Santa Clarita GSAC Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgDark Red x.svg
    Pacific Union Pioneers Pacific Union College Angwin Cal Pac Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svg
    Simpson Red Hawks Simpson University Redding Cal Pac Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svg [a]
    Soka Lions Soka University of America Aliso Viejo GSAC Dark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgDark Red x.svg
    Stanton Elks Stanton University [b] Anaheim Cal Pac Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgDark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgDark Red x.svg
    Westcliff Warriors Westcliff University Irvine Cal Pac Check-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgCheck-green.svgDark Red x.svg
    1. Simpson football team competes in the Frontier Conference.
    2. Stanton also competes in the USCAA.

    CCCAA

    TeamSchoolCityConference
    Alameda Cougars College of Alameda Alameda Bay Valley
    Allan Hancock Bulldogs Allan Hancock College Santa Maria Western State
    American River Beavers American River College Sacramento Big 8
    Antelope Valley Marauders Antelope Valley College Lancaster Western State
    Bakersfield Renegades Bakersfield College Bakersfield Western State
    Barstow Vikings Barstow Community College Barstow Inland Empire
    Butte Roadrunners Butte College Oroville Golden Valley
    Cabrillo Seahawks Cabrillo College Aptos Coast
    Cañada Colts Cañada College Redwood City Coast
    Canyons Cougars College of the Canyons Santa Clarita Western State
    Cerritos Falcons Cerritos College Norwalk South Coast
    Cerro Coso Coyotes Cerro Coso Community College Ridgecrest Inland Empire
    Chabot Gladiators Chabot College Hayward Coast
    Chaffey Panthers Chaffey College Rancho Cucamonga Inland Empire
    Citrus Fighting Owls Citrus College Glendora Western State
    Clovis Crush Clovis Community College Fresno Central Valley
    Columbia Claim Jumpers Columbia College Sonora Central Valley
    Compton Tartars Compton College Compton South Coast
    Contra Costa Comets Contra Costa College San Pablo Bay Valley
    Copper Mountain Fighting Cacti Copper Mountain College Joshua Tree Inland Empire
    Cosumnes River Hawks Cosumnes River College Sacramento Big 8
    Crafton Hills Roadrunners Crafton Hills College Yucaipa Inland Empire
    Cuesta Cougars Cuesta College San Luis Obispo Western State
    Cuyamaca Coyotes Cuyamaca College El Cajon Pacific Coast
    Cypress Chargers Cypress College Cypress Orange Empire
    De Anza Mountain Lions De Anza College Cupertino Coast
    Desert Roadrunners College of the Desert Palm Desert Inland Empire
    Diablo Valley Vikings Diablo Valley College Pleasant Hill Big 8
    East Los Angeles Huskies East Los Angeles College Monterey Park South Coast
    El Camino Warriors El Camino College Torrance South Coast
    Evergreen Valley Hawks Evergreen Valley College San Jose Coast
    Feather River Golden Eagles Feather River College Quincy Golden Valley
    Folsom Lake Falcons Folsom Lake College Folsom Big 8
    Foothill Owls Foothill College Los Altos Hills Coast
    Fresno City Rams Fresno City College Fresno Central Valley
    Fullerton Hornets Fullerton College Fullerton Orange Empire
    Gavilan Rams Gavilan College Gilroy Coast
    Glendale Vaqueros Glendale Community College Glendale Western State
    Golden West Rustlers Golden West College Huntington Beach Orange Empire
    Grossmont Griffins Grossmont College El Cajon Pacific Coast
    Hartnell Panthers Hartnell College Salinas Coast
    Imperial Valley Arabs Imperial Valley College Imperial Pacific Coast
    Irvine Valley Lasers Irvine Valley College Irvine Orange Empire
    Lake Tahoe Coyotes Lake Tahoe Community College South Lake Tahoe Golden Valley
    Laney Eagles Laney College Oakland Bay Valley
    Las Positas Hawks Las Positas College Livermore Coast
    Lassen Cougars Lassen College Susanville Golden Valley
    Long Beach City Vikings Long Beach City College Long Beach South Coast
    Los Angeles Harbor Seahawks Los Angeles Harbor College Wilmington South Coast
    Los Angeles Mission Eagles Los Angeles Mission College Sylmar Western State
    Los Angeles Pierce Brahmas Los Angeles Pierce College Woodland Hills Western State
    Los Angeles Southwest Cougars Los Angeles Southwest College Los Angeles South Coast
    Los Angeles Trade Tech Beavers Los Angeles Trade-Technical College Los Angeles South Coast
    Los Angeles Valley Monarchs Los Angeles Valley College Valley Glen Western State
    Los Medanos Mustangs Los Medanos College Pittsburg Bay Valley
    Marin Mariners College of Marin Novato Bay Valley
    Mendocino Eagles Mendocino College Ukiah Bay Valley
    Merced Blue Devils Merced College Merced Central Valley
    Merritt Thunderbirds Merritt College Oakland Bay Valley
    MiraCosta Spartans MiraCosta College Oceanside Pacific Coast
    Mission Saints Mission College Santa Clara Coast
    Modesto Pirates Modesto Junior College Modesto Big 8
    Monterey Peninsula Lobos Monterey Peninsula College Monterey Coast
    Moorpark Raiders Moorpark College Moorpark Western State
    Mt. San Antonio Mounties Mt. San Antonio College Walnut South Coast
    Mt. San Jacinto Eagles Mt. San Jacinto College San Jacinto Inland Empire
    Napa Valley Storm Napa Valley College Napa Bay Valley
    Norco Mustangs Norco College Norco Inland Empire
    Ohlone Renegades Ohlone College Fremont Coast
    Orange Coast Pirates Orange Coast College Costa Mesa Orange Empire
    Oxnard Condors Oxnard College Oxnard Western State
    Palo Verde Pirates Palo Verde College Blythe Inland Empire
    Palomar Comets Palomar College San Marcos Pacific Coast
    Pasadena City Lancers Pasadena City College Pasadena South Coast
    Porterville Pirates Porterville College Porterville Central Valley
    Redwoods Corsairs College of the Redwoods Eureka Golden Valley
    Reedley Tigers Reedley College Reedley Central Valley
    Rio Hondo Roadrunners Rio Hondo College Whittier South Coast
    Riverside Tigers Riverside City College Riverside Orange Empire
    Sacramento City Panthers Sacramento City College Sacramento Big 8
    Saddleback Bobcats Saddleback College Mission Viejo Orange Empire
    San Bernardino Valley Wolverines San Bernardino Valley College San Bernardino Inland Empire
    San Diego City Knights San Diego City College San Diego Pacific Coast
    San Diego Mesa Olympians San Diego Mesa College San Diego Pacific Coast
    San Diego Miramar Jets San Diego Miramar College San Diego Pacific Coast
    San Francisco Rams City College of San Francisco San Francisco Coast
    San Joaquin Delta Mustangs San Joaquin Delta College Stockton Big 8
    San Jose Jaguars San Jose City College San Jose Coast
    San Mateo Bulldogs College of San Mateo San Mateo Coast
    Santa Ana Dons Santa Ana College Santa Ana Orange Empire
    Santa Barbara City Vaqueros Santa Barbara City College Santa Barbara Western State
    Santa Monica Corsairs Santa Monica College Santa Monica Western State
    Santa Rosa Bear Cubs Santa Rosa Junior College Santa Rosa Big 8
    Santiago Canyon Hawks Santiago Canyon College Orange Orange Empire
    Sequoias Giants College of the Sequoias Visalia Central Valley
    Shasta Knights Shasta College Redding Golden Valley
    Sierra Wolverines Sierra College Rocklin Big 8
    Siskiyous Eagles College of the Siskiyous Weed Golden Valley
    Skyline Trojans Skyline College San Bruno Coast
    Solano Falcons Solano Community College Fairfield Bay Valley
    Southwestern Jaguars Southwestern College Chula Vista Pacific Coast
    Taft Cougars Taft College Taft Central Valley
    Ventura Pirates Ventura College Ventura Western State
    Victor Valley Rams Victor Valley College Victorville Inland Empire
    West Hills Coalinga Falcons West Hills College Coalinga Coalinga Central Valley
    West Hills Lemoore Golden Eagles West Hills College Lemoore Lemoore Central Valley
    West Los Angeles Wildcats West Los Angeles College Culver City Western State
    West Valley Vikings West Valley College Saratoga Coast
    Yuba 49ers Yuba College Marysville Bay Valley

    NCCAA

    TeamSchoolCityConference
    Bethesda Flames Bethesda University Anaheim Division 1-West
    Providence Christian Sea Beggars Providence Christian College Pasadena Division 1-West
    West Coast Baptist Eagles West Coast Baptist College Lancaster Division 1-West
    Westmont Warriors Westmont College Santa Barbara Division 1-West

    NJCAA

    TeamSchoolCityConference
    Community Christian Saints Community Christian College Redlands ACCAC

        See also