Program directory
Women's Lacrosse Colleges in California
There are 12 college women's lacrosse programs in California, spread across 5 conferences. Published admit rates run from 4 percent at Stanford University to 83 percent at University of Redlands. 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 | Division | Conference | Admit rate | SAT range | Undergrads |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego State University | San Diego, CA | D1 | Mountain West Conference | 36% | 1,090-1,300 | 35,377 |
| Stanford University | Stanford, CA | D1 | Atlantic Coast Conference | 4% | 1,510-1,580 | 7,554 |
| University of California Berkeley | Berkeley, CA | D1 | Atlantic Coast Conference | 11% | 1,310-1,530 | 33,068 |
| University of California Davis | Davis, CA | D1 | Big Sky Conference | 42% | 1,160-1,400 | 32,253 |
| University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA | D1 | Big Ten | 10% | 1,450-1,550 | 20,443 |
| California Lutheran University | Thousand Oaks, CA | D3 | Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference | 76% | 1,150-1,330 | 2,296 |
| Chapman University | Orange, CA | D3 | Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference | 65% | 1,260-1,440 | 7,478 |
| Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges | Claremont, CA | D3 | Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference | 10% | 1,470-1,560 | 1,388 |
| Occidental College | Los Angeles, CA | D3 | Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference | 44% | 1,380-1,520 | 1,877 |
| Pomona-Pitzer Colleges | Claremont, CA | D3 | Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference | 7% | 1,490-1,560 | 1,666 |
| University of Redlands | Redlands, CA | D3 | Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference | 83% | 1,107-1,350 | 2,049 |
| Whittier College | Whittier, CA | D3 | Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference | 81% | 1,140-1,340 | 764 |
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 12 college women's lacrosse programs in California, the median published admit rate is 42 percent. The most selective is Stanford University in Stanford at 4 percent, and the most accessible is University of Redlands at 83 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 764 undergraduates at Whittier College to 35,377 at San Diego State University, which changes campus life far more than the lacrosse does. The biggest single cluster is the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference with 7 of the 12 programs. 9 of the 12 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 42 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 college women's lacrosse programs are there in California?
12, across 5 conferences. That count spans every level with a program in the state, from Division I to junior college where present.
What is the hardest college 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 Whittier College is the smallest at 764. Size shapes everything from class sizes to game-day atmosphere, so weigh it alongside the lacrosse fit.