10 Best Colleges and Universities Near Berkeley, CA

Berkeley sits on the eastern shore of the San Francisco Bay, just north of Oakland. This location means it's close to many of the fantastic colleges and universities in the area.

Keep reading to learn more about the best universities and colleges near Berkeley, CA.

Featured Colleges Near Berkeley, CA

The most well-known school in the Berkeley area is UC Berkeley, but there are many other excellent schools in the Bay Area as well.

Below, we've listed some of the best universities and colleges near Berkeley, CA.

1. California College of the Arts

California College of the Arts is a private art school in San Francisco, about a 13 miles across the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. It offers bachelor's and master's programs.

Degrees are offered in the college's four core disciplines:

• architecture
• design
• fine arts
• humanities and science

CCA was founded in 1907 in Berkeley but eventually moved to San Francisco. Today, it enrolls about 1,500 art students.

2. Dominican University of California

Dominican University of California is a private university 19 miles away in San Rafael, a city across the Richmond Bridge. It primarily offers bachelor's and master's degrees.

Students study programs in fields such as:

• business
• computer science
• education
• health sciences and nursing

The university was established in 1890 and is one of the oldest universities in California. It currenlty enrolls just under 2,000 students

3. Golden Gate University

Golden Gate University is a private university in San Francisco, roughly 12 miles away. It offers associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs in person and online.

Degrees are available through five schools within the university:

• Ageno School of Business
• Braden School of Taxation
• School of Accounting
• School of Law
• School of Undergraduate Studies

Golden Gate University was founded through the local YMCA in 1901. Today, it enrolls just over 2,600 students, with about 2,000 of those being graduate students.

4. Lincoln University

Lincoln University is a private university in Oakland, a little more than five miles south of Berkeley. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs.

Students can earn the following degrees:

• Bachelor of Art in business administration
• Bachelor of Science in diagnostic imaging
• Master/Doctor of Business Administration
• Master of Science in finance management
• Master of Science in international business

The university was first established in 1919 as a law school for working adults and veterans. It currently enrolls nearly 400 students.

5. Saint Mary's College of California

Saint Mary's College of California is a private Catholic liberal arts college roughly 14 miles east of Berkeley in the Oakland suburb of Moraga. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs.

Degrees are available through the college's four schools:

• Kalmanovitz School of Education
• School of Economics and Business Administration
• School of Liberal Arts
• School of Science

Saint Mary's College of California was founded as a college for men in 1863. Today, it's co-ed and enrolls over 2,500 students.

6. Samuel Merritt University

Samuel Merritt University is a private health sciences university based in Oakland, about four miles away from Berkeley. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees.

Students can earn degrees in fields of health science such as:

• nursing
• occupational therapy
• physical therapy
• podiatry

The university was established in 1909. It currently enrolls just under 2,000 students, the majority of which are in nursing programs.

7. San Francisco State University

San Francisco State University is a public research university 20 miles away in San Francisco. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs

Degrees are available in areas of study like:

• business
• education
• fine arts
• social sciences

SFSU is a member of the California State University system and was founded in 1899. Today, it enrolls over 25,000 students.

8. University of California, Berkeley

The University of California at Berkeley is a public research university in Berkeley. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs.

Students can study fields such as:

• business
• biological sciences
• engineering and computer science
• social sciences

The university was established in 1868 as the first member of the University of California system. Today, it enrolls of over 45,000 students and is the largest employer in the city.

9. University of California, San Francisco

The University of California at San Francisco is a public health science research university. It primarily offers master's and doctoral programs, but also offers a few bachelor's programs.

Degrees are available in areas of study like:

• dentistry
• medicine
• nursing
• pharmacy

UCSF was founded as a medical college in 1864 and joined the University of California system in 1873. It currently enrolls a little over 3,100 students.

10. University of San Francisco

The University of San Francisco is a private Catholic university in San Francisco. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees.

Degrees are available through five colleges and schools:

• College of Arts and Sciences
• School of Education
• School of Law
• School of Management
• School of Nursing and Health Professions

The university was established in 1855 and sits on a stunning historical campus between the Golden Gate Bridge and Golden Gate Park. It currently enrolls nearly 10,000 students.

What Is the Biggest School Near Berkeley, California?

The largest university or college near Berkeley is the University of California, Berkeley, with over 45,000 students.

How To Choose the Right College Near Berkeley, California

Choosing the right college can be hard. Some things to consider when choosing a college include:

• your area of study
• campus locations and commute
• extracurriculuars and on-campus activities available
• format of classes
• tuition and fees
• financial aid offered

Paying for Your Degree Near Berkeley, California

In most cases, students use financial aid to pay for their education. To find out what financial aid you qualify for, start by filling out your Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA).

Financial aid is available in the form of grants, scholarships, student loans, and work-study programs. You can use multiple forms of financial aid to pay for your degree.

Start Your Degree Near Berkeley, CA Today

Students in Berkeley have access to all the excellent schools the Bay Area offers. Check out the featured universities and colleges near Berkeley, CA, above to find your program today.