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DET College Guide · Series 4 of 8
DET Score Requirements for
California Community Colleges
Verified TOP 50 Transfer Colleges (2026)
50
Schools Reviewed
50
Official Pages Checked
12+
Score Corrections Made
Jul 2026
Last Verified
📚 DET University & College Guide Series
- DET Score Requirements: US & Canada Major Universities — 50+ Schools
- DET Score Requirements: US Public Universities — UC, Big Ten & Major State Schools
- DET Score Requirements: Canadian Universities — Ontario, UBC, McGill & 25 Schools
- DET Score Requirements: California Community Colleges — TOP 50 ◀ You are here
- DET Score Requirements: Washington State Colleges — Coming Soon
- DET Score Requirements: New York & New Jersey Colleges — Coming Soon
- DET Score Requirements: Texas & Florida Colleges — Coming Soon
- DET Score Requirements: Canadian Colleges — Coming Soon
Most international students planning to study in the US focus on four-year universities first. That is understandable. But in California, there is a well-established route that a lot of students from outside the US have not fully considered.
Many students outside the US assume community colleges are simply a cheaper alternative. In California, they are actually part of the state’s higher education system and one of the most common pathways into the University of California.
UCLA, UC Berkeley, UC San Diego — these universities fill a significant portion of their transfer class from California community colleges every year. The system is built that way on purpose.
The decision that matters most is not which UC campus you are aiming for. It is which community college you start at — and whether your DET score is high enough to get in the door.
Every DET score in this guide was verified directly from each school’s official international admissions page. Several schools are widely listed with incorrect scores on third-party sites. We identified and corrected more than a dozen of those discrepancies while building this guide.
ImportantAll data verified from official admissions pages, July 2026. Requirements change — always confirm directly with the institution before applying.
0 Why California?
For international students choosing where to study in the US, California comes up early — and for good reason. Three things make it worth considering seriously.
1 What Is UC TAG?
Before the school list, one program is worth understanding: UC TAG — Transfer Admission Guarantee.
TAG guarantees admission to a participating UC campus if you meet GPA and course requirements while enrolled at a California community college. Six campuses participate: UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC Merced, UC Riverside, UC Santa Barbara, and UC Santa Cruz.
UCLA and UC Berkeley are not part of TAG. But both still draw the majority of their transfer students from California community colleges every year.
💡 Key Takeaway
A clear pathway from a California community college to a UC campus exists regardless of which school you attend — as long as your academic record supports it.2 Quick Score Overview
| DET Score | Schools / Notes |
|---|---|
| 70 | West Los Angeles College (LACCD district) |
| 75 | SMC, MiraCosta, Pierce, LAVC, ELAC (LACCD), Norco, Moreno Valley, RCC (RCCD), Moorpark, Ventura (VCCCD), Mt. SAC, Chaffey, Napa Valley |
| 80 | Irvine Valley College, Pasadena City College, Cerritos College |
| 85 | College of San Mateo, Palomar, Skyline, Long Beach City College, Cañada College, Cuesta College |
| 89 | Berkeley City College, College of Alameda (Peralta District) |
| 90 | Santa Barbara City College, CCSF, Golden West College, Allan Hancock College |
| 95 | DVC, De Anza, Foothill, SRJC, OCC, Fullerton, Cypress, Ohlone, Contra Costa, SJCC, Las Positas |
| 105 | San Diego Mesa College |
| 130 | Sierra College (full English waiver standard) |
| ⚠ No test required | Saddleback College, Merritt College |
| ⚠ Test optional | Citrus College |
| ❌ Not accepted | Sacramento City College, San Diego Miramar College, San Joaquin Delta College |
3 TOP 1–15 — Premier Transfer Colleges
Who should start here?Students targeting transfer to UCLA, UC Berkeley, or highly competitive UC campuses. These colleges have the most established transfer records in California. If a community college to university transfer is your plan, this is where to look first.
LocationLos Angeles
DET Score75
Known ForFilm, Media, Performing Arts
Transfer ToUCLA (#1 feeder in US) · UC Berkeley · UC San Diego · USC
NoteMost recognized international student community among CA CCs; leading film and media transfer track
LocationConcord (SF Bay Area)
DET Score95
Known ForCS, Math, Physics
Transfer ToUC Berkeley (#1–2 feeder) · UCLA · UC Davis
NoteConsistently among the top two UC Berkeley feeders; well-regarded for STEM preparation
LocationCupertino (Silicon Valley)
DET Score95
Known ForCS, Engineering, Business
Transfer ToUC Berkeley · UCLA · UC Santa Barbara · UC San Diego
NoteLocated in the heart of Silicon Valley; leading CS-to-UC transfer program in California
LocationIrvine (Orange County)
DET Score80
Known ForBiology, Business, CS
Transfer ToUC Irvine (#1) · UCLA · UC San Diego
NoteHighest UC transfer rate per enrolled student in California
LocationPasadena (LA area)
DET Score80
Known ForEngineering, Arts, Nursing
Transfer ToUCLA · UC Irvine · UC Berkeley · USC
NoteAdjacent to Caltech; well-regarded for pre-engineering and arts transfer pathways
LocationLos Altos Hills (Silicon Valley)
DET Score95
Known ForNursing, Electronics, Music
Transfer ToUC Berkeley · UCLA · UC Santa Barbara · SJSU
NoteSister school to De Anza; highly regarded nursing-to-university transfer track in California
LocationSan Mateo (SF Bay Area)
DET Score85
Known ForBusiness, CIS, Photography
Transfer ToUC Berkeley · UC Santa Barbara · SF State
NoteMinutes from SFO; popular with students entering the Bay Area tech ecosystem
LocationCosta Mesa (Orange County)
DET Score95
Known ForAviation, Sailing, Broadcasting
Transfer ToUC Irvine (#1) · UCLA · UC San Diego
NoteOne of the few California CCs with an aviation pilot program open to some F-1 students
LocationSanta Barbara
DET Score90
Known ForMarine Biology, Music, Environmental Science
Transfer ToUC Santa Barbara (#1) · UCLA · UC San Diego
NoteAdjacent to UCSB campus; well-known for environmental and marine science transfer pathways
LocationLivermore (SF Bay Area)
DET Score95
Known ForSTEM, Business
Transfer ToUC Berkeley · UC Davis · UC Santa Barbara
NoteSmall class sizes; highly regarded for GPA support and close faculty advising
LocationMission Viejo (Orange County)
DET Score⚠ No test required
Known ForNursing, Business, Photography, Fashion
Transfer ToUC Irvine · UCLA · CSU system
NoteNo English test required for admission; score of 80+ for full ESL course waiver
LocationOceanside/Cardiff (San Diego)
DET Score75
Known ForLife Sciences, Business, CS
Transfer ToUC San Diego (#1) · UCLA · UC Irvine
NoteFastest-growing community college transfer pipeline to UCSD in San Diego County
LocationSan Francisco
DET Score90
Known ForCulinary Arts, Film, Music, Fashion
Transfer ToUC Berkeley · SF State · UC Davis
NoteOne of the largest community colleges in California; nationally recognized culinary program
LocationGlendale (LA area)
DET Score⚠ 75 / 130
Known ForBusiness, Animation, Nursing
Transfer ToUCLA · UC Berkeley · CSU system
Note75 = formal F-1 admission with ESL coursework required; 130 = full English waiver
LocationMonterey Park (LA)
DET Score75 (LACCD)
Known ForBusiness, Art & Design, Music
Transfer ToUCLA · UC Riverside · CSU LA · CSU Fullerton
NotePart of LACCD; shares English standard with Pierce, LAVC, and WLAC
💡 Key Takeaway — TOP 1–15
For transfer to UCLA, SMC is the most established route in the country. For UC Berkeley and Silicon Valley CS programs, DVC and De Anza are the go-to options. IVC offers the highest UC transfer rate per enrolled student in California.🏆 Section Highlights
🥇
DVC + De Anza
UC Berkeley and Silicon Valley CS transfer, year after year
🥈
Santa Monica College
#1 community college transfer to UCLA in the US
🥉
Irvine Valley College
Highest UC transfer rate per enrolled student in California
4 TOP 16–30 — Excellent Regional Transfer Colleges
Who should look here?Students with a specific UC target that aligns with a regional college — or those who prefer a smaller city environment without sacrificing transfer outcomes. Several colleges here have specialized programs not found at larger urban schools.
LocationSanta Rosa (Sonoma County)
DET Score95
Known ForNursing, Viticulture, Music Performance
Transfer ToUC Berkeley · UC Davis · Sonoma State
NoteFounded 1918; one of the most established community colleges in Northern California; nationally recognized viticulture program
LocationRedwood City (SF Bay Area)
DET Score85
Known ForCIT, Business, Radiology Technology
Transfer ToUC Berkeley · UC Santa Barbara · SJSU
NoteSmall-format classes; popular with students who want close faculty contact and strong GPA outcomes
LocationSan Diego
DET Score105
Known ForNursing (ADN), Biology, Business
Transfer ToUC San Diego · SDSU · UC Irvine
NoteHigher DET requirement than most California CCs; well-regarded nursing pipeline in San Diego County
LocationNorco (Riverside County)
DET Score75 (RCCD)
Known ForSTEM, Logistics, Business
Transfer ToUC Riverside (#1) · UC Irvine · CSU Fullerton
NoteRCCD students are eligible to live in UCR dormitories while enrolled — a unique arrangement in California
LocationMoreno Valley
DET Score75 (RCCD)
Known ForHealthcare, Psychology, Business
Transfer ToUC Riverside · UC Irvine · CSU San Jose
NoteRecognized for healthcare programs; same RCCD district as Norco and RCC
LocationNorwalk (LA area)
DET Score80
Known ForBusiness, Fashion, Dental Hygiene
Transfer ToUCLA · CSU Long Beach · CSU Fullerton
NoteConsistently rates among the top LA-area CCs for return on investment
LocationLong Beach
DET Score85
Known ForBusiness, Film, Aviation
Transfer ToCSULB (#1) · UCLA · UC Irvine
NoteLocated next to Cal State Long Beach; competitive aviation coursework alongside university transfer tracks
LocationFullerton (Orange County)
DET Score95
Known ForMusic & Performing Arts, Business, Nursing
Transfer ToUC Irvine · UCLA · CSU Fullerton · USC
NoteOldest community college in California; nationally competitive music and performing arts program
LocationCypress (Orange County)
DET Score95
Known ForAviation Maintenance, Nursing, Business
Transfer ToUC Irvine · UCLA · CSU Fullerton
NoteHighly regarded aviation maintenance program — one of the best among California community colleges
LocationRocklin (Sacramento area)
DET Score⚠ 130
Known ForSTEM, Agriculture, Business
Transfer ToUC Davis · UC Berkeley · Sacramento State
Note130 = full English waiver standard; conditional routes available through counselor — verify before applying
LocationEscondido/San Marcos (San Diego)
DET Score85
Known ForAstronomy, Art/Photography, Nursing
Transfer ToUC San Diego · Cal State San Marcos · UCLA
NoteHome to Palomar Observatory; unique astronomy practicum not found at other California CCs
LocationMoorpark (Ventura County)
DET Score75 (VCCCD)
Known ForZoology/Zoo Technology, Business, Life Sciences
Transfer ToUCLA · UC Santa Barbara · UC Berkeley
NoteThe only community college in the US with a fully operational on-campus teaching zoo
LocationVentura (Ventura County)
DET Score75 (VCCCD)
Known ForBusiness, Photography, Oceanography
Transfer ToUCLA · UC Santa Barbara · CSU Channel Islands
NoteCoastal setting; practical marine science coursework alongside standard transfer tracks
LocationSan Bruno (SF Bay Area)
DET Score85
Known ForBusiness/International Trade, Nursing, CIT
Transfer ToUC Berkeley · SF State · UC Santa Barbara
NoteNear SFO; popular with students interested in Asia-Pacific trade and international business
LocationSan Pablo (SF Bay Area)
DET Score95
Known ForSocial Work, Business, Nursing
Transfer ToUC Berkeley · UC Davis · Cal State East Bay
NoteSame district as DVC (4CD); benefits from established UC Berkeley transfer infrastructure
💡 Key Takeaway — TOP 16–30
Moorpark is the only community college in the US with an on-campus teaching zoo. SRJC is a well-established Northern California option for nursing and agriculture. San Diego Mesa is the go-to choice for nursing in San Diego if your DET is 105 or above.🏆 Section Highlights
🥇
Santa Rosa Junior College
Northern CA’s most established CC for nursing, agriculture & UC Berkeley transfer
🥈
San Diego Mesa College
Leading nursing and UCSD transfer college in San Diego County
🥉
Moorpark College
Ventura County’s top CC; only teaching zoo program among US community colleges
5 TOP 31–45 — Competitive Value Colleges
Who should consider these?Students who want lower living costs, a quieter campus environment, or access to programs not widely available elsewhere. Transfer outcomes here are competitive — these are not fallback options.
LocationRiverside
DET Score75 (RCCD)
Known ForBusiness, STEM, Nursing
Transfer ToUC Riverside (#1) · UC Irvine · CSU Fullerton
NoteRCCD flagship campus; UCR dormitory access available for enrolled students
LocationOntario/Rancho Cucamonga
DET Score75
Known ForNursing, Business, Welding Technology
Transfer ToUC Riverside · CSU San Jose · CSU Fullerton
NoteAmong the most affordable living costs of any CA community college in this guide
LocationEl Cajon (San Diego)
DET Score75
Known ForNursing (ADN), Theater Arts, Business
Transfer ToUC San Diego · SDSU · UC Irvine
NoteEstablished international student community in East San Diego County
LocationGlendora (LA area)
DET Score⚠ Optional
Known ForMusic, Theater/Film, Business
Transfer ToUCLA · UC Berkeley · CSU LA
NoteOne of the few California community colleges where English test submission is not required
LocationWalnut (LA area)
DET Score75
Known ForSTEM, Business, Sports Science
Transfer ToUCLA · UC Berkeley · CSU Pomona
NoteOne of the largest community colleges in California; nationally competitive athletics program
LocationOakland (SF Bay Area)
DET Score⚠ No test required
Known ForNursing, Social Work, Horticulture
Transfer ToUC Berkeley · Cal State East Bay · SF State
NotePeralta District policy — no English test required; self-placement assessment on arrival
LocationWoodland Hills (LA)
DET Score75 (LACCD)
Known ForAgriculture/Animal Science, Business, Film
Transfer ToUCLA · UC Berkeley · CSU Northridge
NoteOne of the few California community colleges with a working farm on campus
LocationValley Glen (LA)
DET Score75 (LACCD)
Known ForFilm/Media Arts, Photography, Humanities
Transfer ToUCLA · UC Santa Barbara · CSU Northridge
NoteNo intensive English program on campus — DET 75 is a firm requirement; Hollywood-adjacent media career track
LocationBerkeley
DET Score89 (Peralta)
Known ForBusiness, Social Science, Multimedia/Biotech
Transfer ToUC Berkeley (#1) · UC Davis · UC Santa Cruz
NoteTwo-minute walk from UC Berkeley; popular with students pursuing community college transfer to UC Berkeley
LocationAlameda Island (SF Bay Area)
DET Score89 (Peralta)
Known ForAviation Maintenance, Auto Technology, Fashion Design
Transfer ToUC Berkeley · SF State · Cal State East Bay
NoteOnly island-campus community college in California; ⚠ F-1 restrictions apply to some aviation courses
LocationFremont/Newark (Silicon Valley)
DET Score95
Known ForCS, Electronics, Medical Assisting
Transfer ToUC Berkeley · SJSU · UC Santa Barbara
NoteSouth Silicon Valley location; competitive CS and electronics transfer track with strong industry connections
LocationHuntington Beach (Orange County)
DET Score90
Known ForBusiness/Marketing, ASL Interpreting, Photography
Transfer ToUC Irvine · UCLA · CSU Long Beach
NoteOne of the most recognized ASL interpreting programs in the US
LocationSacramento
DET Score❌ DET not accepted
Known ForBusiness, Political Science, Nursing
Transfer ToUC Davis · Sacramento State · UC Berkeley
NoteTOEFL / IELTS / PTE only — DET does not appear on the accepted list despite third-party claims
LocationSan Diego (North)
DET Score❌ DET not accepted
Known ForBio/Life Sciences, CS, Criminal Justice
Transfer ToUC San Diego · SDSU · CSU San Marcos
NoteTOEFL only; ⚠ F-1 students cannot take aviation courses under federal restriction
LocationCulver City (LA)
DET Score70 (LACCD)
Known ForFilm/Media, Business, Psychology
Transfer ToUCLA · UC Irvine · CSU Northridge
NoteLowest accepted DET score in this guide; near Beverly Hills and Santa Monica
Sacramento City College & San Diego Miramar — DET Not AcceptedBoth schools appear on third-party comparison sites with DET scores listed. Those listings are inaccurate. We verified directly against each school’s official international admissions page. TOEFL or IELTS is required at both institutions.
💡 Key Takeaway — TOP 31–45
Berkeley City College puts you two minutes from UC Berkeley. Mt. SAC offers the scale and facilities of a major campus at a competitive cost. WLAC has the lowest DET requirement in the LACCD network at 70.🏆 Section Highlights
🥇
Mt. San Antonio College
LA’s largest community college; competitive STEM, business, and athletics transfer track
🥈
Berkeley City College
Closest community college to UC Berkeley; unbeatable transfer geography
🥉
Ohlone College
South Silicon Valley CS and electronics transfer specialist
6 TOP 46–50 — Additional Recommended Colleges
Who should look here?Students with a specific transfer target that one of these colleges serves particularly well — Cal Poly SLO, UCSB, or UC Davis — or those drawn to a program genuinely rare among California community colleges.
LocationSan Jose (Silicon Valley)
DET Score95
Known ForCS, Business, STEM
Transfer ToSJSU (#1) · UC Berkeley · UC Davis
NoteCentral San Jose; direct access to Silicon Valley internship network
LocationSan Luis Obispo
DET Score85
Known ForEngineering (Cal Poly track), Business, Enology
Transfer ToCal Poly SLO (#1) · UC Santa Barbara · UCLA
NoteSends more students to Cal Poly SLO than any other community college in the US
LocationRiverside County
DET Score⚠ Program suspended
Known ForBusiness, Nursing
Transfer ToUC Riverside · UC Irvine
NoteOfficial page states applications not being accepted — verify current status before applying
LocationSanta Maria (Santa Barbara County)
DET Score90
Known ForBusiness, Aviation, Viticulture/Enology
Transfer ToUC Santa Barbara (#1) · UCLA · CSU Channel Islands
NoteWell-regarded UCSB feeder; winery industry connections across Santa Barbara County
LocationNapa
DET Score75
Known ForWinery & Viticulture, Business, Humanities
Transfer ToUC Davis (#1) · UC Berkeley · Sonoma State
NoteWidely considered the top viticulture program among all US community colleges
💡 Key Takeaway — TOP 46–50
Cuesta is the clearest choice if Cal Poly SLO is the goal — no other community college in the US sends more students there. Napa Valley College has the strongest viticulture program in the country at the community college level.🏆 Section Highlights
🥇
Cuesta College
#1 Cal Poly SLO feeder in the US; competitive engineering and enology programs
🥈
San Jose City College
Silicon Valley CS transfer; central location with strong internship access
🥉
Allan Hancock College
Established UCSB feeder; aviation and winery programs in Santa Barbara County
7 Schools That Do NOT Accept DET — Special Cases
Read this section carefully. These schools appear regularly on third-party comparison sites with DET scores attached. In every case, we verified against the official admissions page.
| School | Status | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Sacramento City College | ❌ Not accepted | TOEFL / IELTS / PTE only — DET not on accepted list |
| San Diego Miramar College | ❌ Not accepted | TOEFL only; F-1 aviation course restriction also applies |
| San Joaquin Delta College | ❌ Not accepted | Official page explicitly states “Duolingo will not be accepted” |
| Mt. San Jacinto College (MSJC) | ⚠ Program suspended | Not accepting applications until further notice — check before applying |
| Saddleback College | ⚠ No test required | Admitted without a score; 80+ for full ESL course waiver |
| Merritt College | ⚠ No test required | Peralta District policy; self-placement assessment on arrival |
| Citrus College | ⚠ Test optional | Submission not required — one of very few CCs in California with this policy |
| Glendale Community College (GCC) | ⚠ Two-tier system | 75 = F-1 admission with ESL coursework / 130 = full English waiver |
Third-Party Data WarningSacramento City College, San Diego Miramar, and San Joaquin Delta College are frequently listed with specific DET scores on comparison sites. Those listings are inaccurate. Always verify on the school’s official international admissions page.
8 Score-Based Application Strategy
| DET Score | Schools You Can Target | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 70 | West Los Angeles College | Lowest accepted score in this guide |
| 75 | SMC, MiraCosta, LACCD colleges, RCCD colleges, VCCCD colleges, Mt. SAC, Chaffey, Napa Valley | Broad access to Southern California’s major CC network |
| 80 | All above + IVC, PCC, Cerritos | Opens Orange County and Pasadena flagship options |
| 85 | All above + CSM, Palomar, Skyline, LBCC, Cañada, Cuesta | Bay Area and North San Diego County CCs |
| 89 | All above + Berkeley City College, College of Alameda | Full access to Peralta District programs |
| 90 | All above + SBCC, CCSF, Golden West, Allan Hancock | Santa Barbara and San Francisco city CCs |
| 95 | All above + DVC, De Anza, Foothill, SRJC, OCC, Fullerton, Cypress, Ohlone, Contra Costa, SJCC, Las Positas | California’s top-tier UC feeder colleges |
| 105 | All above + San Diego Mesa College | San Diego nursing and UCSD transfer specialist |
| 130 | Sierra College (full English waiver) | UC Davis and UC Berkeley pathway from Sacramento area |
9 Transfer Target Index
If you are aiming for a specific university, here are the community colleges with the most established transfer records for each campus.
10 Final Thoughts
A few things stood out after going through every official admissions page for this guide.
The DET floor in California is lower than most international students expect. Seventy-five covers the majority of well-regarded transfer colleges on this list. At 95, nearly every top-tier UC feeder college in the state is accessible.
District membership is underappreciated. LACCD, RCCD, VCCCD, SMCCD, and Peralta each set district-wide English standards. If one school in the district accepts a score, the others in that district do too. Knowing this can save significant time when shortlisting schools.
Several popular schools do not accept DET at all. Sacramento City College, San Diego Miramar, and San Joaquin Delta College appear regularly on third-party sites with DET scores listed. Those listings are wrong. We checked every one against the official source.
And one more thing worth saying directly: transferring from a California community college to UCLA or UC Berkeley is not a backup plan. It is how a significant number of students get there every year. The schools on this list are the ones that make it happen most consistently.
Planning to transfer to UCLA or UC Berkeley through a California community college?
Start by choosing the right school.
Then build the DET score that gets you in the door.
That is exactly what DETnTedu.com is built for — score-level strategies, real practice sets, and test guides for every DET question type. New posts go up regularly.
© 2026 DETnT (DETntedu.com). All rights reserved. Written by Sam.
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