Best colleges in California for studying psychology?

I'm planning to major in psychology and am curious about good colleges in California that are known for their psychology programs. What are some top schools I should consider applying to?

When considering a psychology major in California, you're in luck as the state is home to many top-notch programs. Let's start with the public schools.

1. University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA): Consistently ranked amongst the best in not only the state, but also the nation for psychology, UCLA has a reputation for outstanding faculty, rigorous coursework, and opportunities for undergraduate research.

2. University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley): Known for its overall academic excellence, Berkeley's psychology program is no exception. Students can specialize in different areas of psychology including clinical science, cognition, and developmental.

3. University of California, San Diego (UCSD): UCSD offers specializations in areas like cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, and social psychology.

4. University of California, Davis (UC Davis): UC Davis has a great undergraduate psychology program where students can concentrate their studies in biological psychology, clinical psychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, and social psychology, depending on their individual interests and career goals.

5. California State University, Long Beach (CSULB): CSULB offers a comprehensive psychology program with a broad array of psychology topics, which makes it a promising choice for aspiring psychology majors.

Moving on to private institutions:

1. Stanford University: Stanford's Department of Psychology is one of the highest-ranked in the US, with a particular focus on neuroscience, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, and social psychology.

2. University of Southern California (USC): USC also offers an outstanding psychology program with a breadth of course offerings and research opportunities.

3. Pepperdine University: This school is known for its clinical psychology program and its close proximity to Los Angeles provides a bounty of internship opportunities.

4. Pomona College: As a part of the Claremont Colleges, Pomona offers small class sizes and a strong liberal arts foundation.

Remember that fit is also super important, so consider size, location, financial aid, and social culture in addition to the strength of the psychology department. Also, while these programs are outstanding, California boasts a large number of excellent institutions, so there are many wonderful programs not mentioned here. Best of luck in your college search!