The University of California consists of 10 separate university campuses that operate under the direction of a common Board of Regents. As a public education system, University of California schools offer residents a well-respected university education at an affordable tuition cost. The University of California system is renowned for its leadership in academic instruction and research, with more than 220,000 students enrolled across the state. The 10 campuses of the University of California are located in Berkeley, Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Irvine, Riverside, Davis, Merced, San Francisco and Santa Cruz.
The California State University system oversees 23 campuses that are home to more than 433,000 students. As part of California's public education system, California State University schools provide residents with access to quality educational programs and training at a fraction of the cost of private university tuition. The California State University website lists scientific, social, technical, and artistic development among the strengths of the schools throughout the state. The California State University system houses campuses in Humboldt, Chico, Sacramento, San Francisco, Sonoma, Vallejo, East Bay, Stanislaus, San Jose, Monterey Bay, Fresno, San Luis Obispo, Bakersfield, Channel Islands, Northridge, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Pomona, Dominguez Hills, Long Beach, Fullerton, San Marcos and San Diego.
The California Colleges website references 75 accredited independent colleges and universities across the state that offer more than 350 degree programs. These private schools each operate under the direction of its own board of directors, who oversee the quality and accreditation of the school's academic programs and campus climate. Private universities are typically more expensive than public schools, but can also offer advantages with regard to class sizes and specialized programs. Many private universities in California were established to serve and support unique populations, such as faith-based communities or women's education. Private universities also tend to be smaller than public schools, with enrollments ranging from just a few hundred students to several thousand.