Most spells have a range of either close, medium or long, which increase as characters gain in level. For example, a spell with close range means the range equals "25 feet + 5 feet/ 2 levels."
What does the word "level" in the previous quote refer to? Does it refer to the character's caster level, the character's class level or total character level?
It refers to ‘caster level with respect to spell ranges’, which in general is your level in the class that is casting the spell, modified by uncommon modifiers.