10 Best Colleges and Universities Near San Bernardino, CA

San Bernardino, along with Riverside, makes up the heart of the Inland Empire.

This eastern part of the Greater Los Angeles metro area is sandwiched between downtown LA and the Mojave Desert.

This gives students in San Bernardino access to many of the fantastic schools in the Greater LA area. Keep reading to discover top colleges near San Bernardino.

Featured Colleges in San Bernardino

While the San Bernardino Valley only has a handful of colleges and universities, San Bernardino is close enough to take advantage of the wealth of institutions in the Greater Los Angeles area.

We've listed some of the top universities and colleges near San Bernardino below in alphabetical order.

1. California Baptist University

California Baptist University is a private Baptist university in Riverside, just south of San Bernardino.

It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees on campus and online.

Students can earn degrees in fields such as:

• Business
• Education
• Health Sciences and Nursing
• Psychology

The university was established in 1950 and currently enrolls nearly 11,500 students across its ten colleges and schools.

2. California State University, San Bernardino

California State University, San Bernardino is a public research university in San Bernardino. It's part of the California State University system and offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs.

Degrees are available through the five colleges within the university:

• College of Arts and Letters
• College of Natural Sciences
• College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
• Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration
• James R. Watson & Judy Rodriguez Watson College of Education

Cal State San Bernardino was founded in 1965. Today, it enrolls almost 20,000 students, most of them undergraduates.

3. Cambridge College

Cambridge College is a private college based in Boston, Massachusetts, with a regional campus in Rancho Cucamonga, just west of San Bernardino.

Undergraduate and graduate degrees are available on campus and online in fields such as:

• Business
• Education
• Health Sciences and Nursing
• Psychology

The college was first established in 1971. It currently enrolls over 2,100 students through its main campus, regional campuses, and online programs.

4. Claremont McKenna College

Claremont McKenna College is a private liberal arts college in Claremont, a city about 20 miles west of San Bernardino. It's part of the Claremont Colleges consortium.

Students can earn bachelor's and master's degrees in areas of study like:

• Biology and Biomedical Sciences
• Business
• Science and Math
• Social Sciences

Claremont McKenna College was founded in 1946. Today, it enrolls almost 1,400 students, primarily in bachelor's programs.

5. La Sierra University

La Sierra University is a private Christian university in Riverside. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs.

Degrees are available through the university's four colleges and schools:

• College of Arts and Sciences
• Divinity School
• School of Education
• Zapara School of Business

The university was established in 1922 and currently enrolls about 1,600 students.

6. Loma Linda University

Loma Linda University is a private Christian university in Loma Linda, just outside of San Bernardino. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs on campus and online.

Students can earn degrees in health science fields such as:

• Medicine
• Nursing
• Pharmacy
• Physical Therapy

Loma Linda University was originally founded as a sanatorium in 1905. Today, it enrolls over 4,000 students.

7. Pomona College

Pomona College is a private liberal arts college in Claremont, California. It's another member of the Claremont Colleges consortium and offers bachelor's degrees.

Degrees are available in areas of study like:

• Biological and Biomedical Sciences
• Computer and Information Sciences
• Social Sciences
• Visual and Performing Arts

The university was established in 1887. It currently enrolls about 1,700 undergraduate students with a student-teacher ratio of 7:1.

8. University of California, Riverside

The University of California, Riverside is a public research university in Riverside. It's part of the University of California system and offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs.

Students can earn degrees in fields such as:

• Biology and Biomedical Sciences
• Business
• Engineering
• Social Sciences

UC Riverside was founded in 1954. Today it enrolls nearly 27,000 students across its seven colleges and schools.

9. University of LaVerne

The University of La Verne is a private university based in La Verne, about 30 miles from San Bernardino. It also offers a regional campus in Ontario, California, about 20 miles away.

It offers bachelor's and master's degrees in areas of study like:

• Business
• Education
• Psychology
• Social Sciences

The university was established in 1891 and currently enrolls over 5,500 students through its main campus, multiple regional campuses, and online programs.

10. University of Redlands

The University of Redlands is a private university in Redlands, a city just outside San Bernardino. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees on campus and online.

Degrees are available through the university's five colleges and schools:

• College of Arts and Sciences
• School of Business and Society
• School of Education
• School of Continuing Studies
• San Francisco Theological Seminary

The University of Redlands was founded in 1907. Today, it enrolls almost 3,500 students.

What Is the Biggest School Near San Bernardino?

The largest college near San Bernardino is the University of California, Riverside, with almost 27,000 students.

How To Choose the Right College Near San Bernardino

Trying to choose the right college can be stressful. There are a few things you can ask yourself:

• What college is best for my intended major?
• What college is the most conveniently located?
• What college has extracurriculars I would enjoy?
• What college fits my budget?
• What college accepts or offers financial aid?

Paying for Your Degree Near San Bernardino

Most students can't pay for their degree out of pocket, so they use financial aid like federal grants, scholarships, student loans, and work-study programs to help pay for their education.

To find out what you qualify for, fill out your Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible.

Start Your Degree Near San Bernardino Today

The Greater LA area is full of great colleges and universities. Check out our featured colleges near San Bernardino and find the perfect match for you today.