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Colleges

Best Women's Basketball colleges in California

Explore colleges in California recruiting Women's Basketball athletes, most popular programs first. Open any school to see its division, costs and coaches, or let our basketball recruiting platform email every coach for you.

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438 coaches recruiting Women's Basketball in California
Overview

Women's Basketball colleges in California

How the programs break down by division, conference, cost and size. Updated October 2026.

Programs
92
Coaches recruiting
438
  • 26Division I
  • 22Division II
  • 13Division III
  • 9NAIA
  • 4Junior college

California has 92 colleges with Women's Basketball programs. Of those, 26 compete in NCAA Division I, 22 in NCAA Division II, 13 in NCAA Division III, 9 in the NAIA and 4 at the junior college level. The most popular programs are University of Southern California, Stanford University and University of California, Los Angeles. Their head coaches are Lindsay Gottlieb at University of Southern California, Kate Paye at Stanford University and Cori Close at University of California, Los Angeles. 12 schools compete in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, the most common conference.

All programs

Every Women's Basketball program in California

Open any school to see its coaches, costs and admissions.

Division I · 26

University of Southern California logoUniversity of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles · Big Ten · Coach Lindsay GottliebStanford University logoStanford UniversityStanford · Atlantic Coast · Coach Kate PayeUniversity of California, Los Angeles logoUniversity of California, Los AngelesLos Angeles · Big Ten · Coach Cori CloseUniversity of California, Berkeley logoUniversity of California, BerkeleyBerkeley · Atlantic Coast · Coach Charmin Smith

Division II · 22

Westmont College logoWestmont CollegeSanta Barbara · Pacific West · Coach Justin LeslieCalifornia State University, Dominguez Hills logoCalifornia State University, Dominguez HillsCarson · California Collegiate Athletic Association · Coach Nautica MorrowCalifornia State University, Chico logoCalifornia State University, ChicoChico · California Collegiate Athletic Association · Coach Aaron KallhoffConcordia University, Irvine logoConcordia University, IrvineIrvine · Pacific West · Coach Christine Collins-Kiernan

Division III · 13

California Lutheran University logoCalifornia Lutheran UniversityThousand Oaks · Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic · Coach Kelli DiMuroPomona College logoPomona CollegeClaremont · Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic · Coach Alaina WooClaremont McKenna College logoClaremont McKenna CollegeClaremont · Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic · Coach Chanel MurchisonUniversity of California, Santa Cruz logoUniversity of California, Santa CruzSanta Cruz · Division III Independents · Coach Renee Jimenez

Other associations · 18

Mt. San Antonio College logoMt. San Antonio CollegeWalnut · California Community College Athletic Association · Coach Brian CrichlowSanta Rosa Junior College logoSanta Rosa Junior CollegeSanta Rosa · Nor-Cal · Coach Lacey CampbellChabot College logoChabot CollegeHayward · California Community College Athletic Association · Coach Mark AngerCollege of the Redwoods logoCollege of the RedwoodsEureka · Coach Bree Northern
Questions

Questions about Women's Basketball colleges in California

Quick answers about the programs and how to reach their coaches.

How many colleges in California have Women's Basketball?

92 colleges in California have Women's Basketball programs: 26 Division I, 22 Division II, 13 Division III, 9 NAIA and 4 Junior college.

Which colleges in California have D1 Women's Basketball?

26 colleges in California compete in NCAA Division I Women's Basketball: California Baptist University, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California State University, Bakersfield, California State University, Fresno, California State University, Fullerton, California State University, Long Beach, California State University, Northridge, California State University, Sacramento and 18 more.

Which colleges in California have D2 Women's Basketball?

22 colleges in California compete in NCAA Division II Women's Basketball: Academy of Art University, Azusa Pacific University, Biola University, California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, California State University, Chico, California State University, Dominguez Hills, California State University, East Bay and 14 more.

Which colleges in California have D3 Women's Basketball?

13 colleges in California compete in NCAA Division III Women's Basketball: California Institute of Technology, California Lutheran University, Chapman University, Claremont McKenna College, Harvey Mudd College, Occidental College, Pitzer College, Pomona College and 5 more.

Which colleges in California have NAIA Women's Basketball?

9 colleges in California compete in NAIA Women's Basketball: California State University Maritime Academy, Hope International University, La Sierra University, Life Pacific University, Pacific Union College, Simpson University, The Master's University, University of California, Merced and 1 more.

Which colleges in California have JUCO Women's Basketball?

4 colleges in California compete in NJCAA junior college Women's Basketball: Barstow Community College, Cypress College, Ohlone College and Saddleback College.

What is the most affordable college in California with Women's Basketball?

Imperial Valley College has the lowest average net price at $1,890 a year after grants and scholarships.

What conference do most Women's Basketball programs in California compete in?

The Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference has the most Women's Basketball programs in California.

Who are the Women's Basketball head coaches in California?

Lindsay Gottlieb (University of Southern California), Kate Paye (Stanford University), Cori Close (University of California, Los Angeles), Charmin Smith (University of California, Berkeley), Stacie Terry-Hutson (San Diego State University), Shanele Stires (California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo), Aaron Kallhoff (California State University, Sacramento) and Angie Ned (California State University, Northridge).

How do I contact Women's Basketball coaches in California?

There are 438 coaches recruiting Women's Basketball in California. Start a free 7-day AthleticScholar trial to see who recruits your position and send personal messages from your own Gmail, with follow-ups until they reply.

By division

Women's Basketball colleges by division in California

The most popular programs at each level, with links to the full lists.

JUCO Women's Basketball colleges in California

4 schools in California compete in NJCAA junior college.