Program directory
D1 Women's Lacrosse Colleges in California
There are 5 D1 women's lacrosse programs in California, spread across 4 conferences. Published admit rates run from 4 percent at Stanford University to 42 percent at University of California Davis. San Diego State University is the largest school on the list with 35,377 undergraduates. Every program is listed below with location, conference, and admissions data.
| School | Location | Conference | Admit rate | SAT range | Undergrads |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego State University | San Diego, CA | Mountain West Conference | 36% | 1,090-1,300 | 35,377 |
| Stanford University | Stanford, CA | Atlantic Coast Conference | 4% | 1,510-1,580 | 7,554 |
| University of California Berkeley | Berkeley, CA | Atlantic Coast Conference | 11% | 1,310-1,530 | 33,068 |
| University of California Davis | Davis, CA | Big Sky Conference | 42% | 1,160-1,400 | 32,253 |
| University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA | Big Ten | 10% | 1,450-1,550 | 20,443 |
Admissions data: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, 2020 to 2023. "Not reported" means the school does not publish that figure; junior colleges are typically open enrollment.
What these numbers say about this list
Across the 5 D1 women's lacrosse programs in California, the median published admit rate is 11 percent. The most selective is Stanford University in Stanford at 4 percent, and the most accessible is University of California Davis at 42 percent. The highest test band belongs to Stanford University, where the middle 50 percent of admitted students score 1,510 to 1,580 on the SAT. School size spans 7,554 undergraduates at Stanford University to 35,377 at San Diego State University, which changes campus life far more than the lacrosse does. The biggest single cluster is the Atlantic Coast Conference with 2 of the 5 programs. 4 of the 5 sit in our highest academic tier, worth knowing if you are stacking academic money on top of a roster spot.
How to use this list
A target list works best when it spans levels. Pick a handful of programs where you would be one of the stronger recruits, a group where you fit the current roster, and a few reaches. Use the admit rate and SAT columns the same way: schools admitting above 11 percent with a test band at or below your score are academic safeties, and the single-digit schools are reaches no matter how good your film is.
Not sure what to write? Read the guide to emailing a college lacrosse coach, or check when coaches are allowed to contact you.
Common questions
How many Division 1 women's lacrosse programs are there in California?
5, across 4 conferences. Every one of them is listed on this page with city, conference, and admissions data.
What is the hardest Division 1 women's lacrosse school to get into in California?
Stanford University in Stanford is the most selective on this list, admitting 4 percent of applicants with a middle 50 percent SAT range of 1,510 to 1,580. Coach support can matter in admissions there, which is exactly why you email early.
What is the biggest school with women's lacrosse in California?
San Diego State University is the largest school on this list with 35,377 undergraduates, while Stanford University is the smallest at 7,554. Size shapes everything from class sizes to game-day atmosphere, so weigh it alongside the lacrosse fit.
Related lists
- Women's Lacrosse Colleges in California
- D3 Women's Lacrosse Colleges in California
- D1 Women's Lacrosse Colleges in Connecticut
- D1 Women's Lacrosse Colleges in Washington DC
- D1 Women's Lacrosse Colleges in Florida
- D1 Women's Lacrosse Colleges in Massachusetts
- D1 Women's Lacrosse Colleges in Maryland
- D1 Women's Lacrosse Colleges in Michigan