Hi everyone! I’m a non-California resident looking into schools in CA. I wouldn’t say I’m seriously looking into schools here, but it’s up for consideration as I used to live in SoCal several years ago and would love to move back. I’m not really considering the UCs or CSUs because they’d be way too expensive and nonresidents, to my understanding, receive minimal financial aid. So, I’ve started looking into private universities in CA. I’ll admit I’m being a little too picky with my criteria, but if anyone knows of any schools that’d fit these criteria, that’d be wonderful:
-Not extremely competitive (Like Harvey Mudd and Stanford are)
-Religiously unaffiliated (I’m not very religious. I’m not against religion by any means, but I wouldn’t want it to be an overpowering presence, if that makes sense)
-at most ~$45,000 a year
-generous need-based and merit-based aid
Like I said, I haven’t done intense research on CA schools because I moved to the east coast, and one of my top priorities is making smart financial choices for my undergraduate degree, because I’ll probably want to go to graduate school.
Thank you in advance! 
A few to look at in So Cal are USD, Loyola Marymount, Both are religiously affiliated but, don’t force you to participate.
There’s a college match tool on this web site (and others). that’s worth your time as you begin your search.
University of the Pacific, University of La Verne, Whittier College gave my son good merit aid. We did not qualify for FA due to income so I am not sure how generous they can be.
Hard to know what not competative means to different folks, but you might take a look at Chapman and University of Redlands. I know of kids who have gotten decent merit aid there.
Thanks you everyone!
$45,000 per year will be able to afford out-of-state CSU costs with $10,000 or so per year left over.
However, many of the CSUs are heavily commuter schools, so they may not be as desirable in a social sense as more residential schools. CPSLO, SSU, HSU, CSUMB, CSUCI, CSUC are some of the more residential ones.
Usc (it’s competive though)
Scripps (all girls)
Pitzer (if social justice is super important to you and your app can show that)
SANTa Clara (really nice school I think it’s perfect for you based on what you described)
Pepperdine (religious in the sense that it is a dry campus and has somewhat strict rules)
Loyola Marymount
University of the pacific (good dentist and business programs)
Mills (all girls)
Chapman (generous merit and not bad need based aid, really really nice area and campus)
Univeristy of Redlands (not necessarky as prestigious but they give good merit aid)
Univeristy of San Francisco
Thanks guys! I’ll definitely research these suggestions!
OP, what is your intended field of study? Make sure that major is available at the school you choose. Your list of criteria doesn’t mention what you want to study, but that matters, yes?