10 Best Colleges and Universities Near Irvine, CA

Irvine, California is a city in southern Orange County. It's a hub for tech, finance, and entertainment and is a common location for film projects.

The city is part of the Greater Los Angeles area, the second-largest metropolitan area in the country. As a result, this area has many colleges and universities for students to choose from.

Keep reading to discover ten of the best colleges near Irvine, California.

Featured Colleges in Irvine, California

Irvine and the surrounding southern Orange County area is home to many top colleges and universities. Keep reading to discover some of the best colleges near Irvine, California.

1. California State University, Fullerton

California State University, Fullerton is a public research university less than 20 miles north of Irvine. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs.

Students can earn degrees in fields such as:

• business
• education
• health sciences and nursing
• psychology

The university was established in 1957. It currently enrolls over 40,000 students, making it the largest of the California State University campuses.

2. Chapman University

Chapman University is a private research university in Orange, just a few miles north of Irvine. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs.

Degrees are available in areas of study like:

• business
• education
• health sciences and nursing
• visual and performing arts

Chapman University was founded in 1861. Today, it enrolls about 10,000 students through the university's 11 colleges and schools.

3. Concordia University, Irvine

Concordia University, Irvine is a private Lutheran university in Irvine. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs on campus and online.

Students can earn degrees in fields such as:

• business
• coaching and exercise science
• education
• health sciences and nursing

The university was established in 1976 as part of the national Concordia University system. It currently enrolls over 3,700 students.

4. Laguna College of Art and Design

The Laguna College of Art and Design is a private college in Laguna Beach, a city just south of Irvine on the coast. It offers bachelor's and master's degrees.

Degrees are available primarily in visual arts, such as:

• drawing
• game design
• graphic design
• painting

LCAD was founded in 1961. Today, it enrolls nearly 800 students, most of them undergraduates, and has a teacher-student ratio of 9:1.

5. Soka University of America

Soka University of America is a private liberal arts college in Aliso Viejo, about 15 miles south of Irvine. It offers a bachelor's degree in liberal studies and a master's in educational leadership and societal change.

Students in the bachelor's program can choose one of the following concentrations:

• environmental studies
• humanities
• international studies
• life sciences
• social and behavioral sciences

The university was established in 1987. It currently enrolls about 450 students and maintains ties with its sister school, S?ka University, in Japan.

6. University of California, Irvine

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

Degrees are available in areas of study like:

• business
• computer and information sciences
• engineering
• social sciences

UC Irvine was founded in 1965 and is one of the newer members of the university system. Today, it enrolls almost 36,000 students.

7. University of California, Los Angeles

The University of California, Los Angeles is a public research university in Los Angeles, about an hour from Irvine. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees.

Students can earn degrees in fields such as:

• biology and biomedical sciences
• business
• engineering
• social sciences

The university was first established in 1881. It's currently the largest university in the system, with a student body of over 46,000 students.

8. University of La Verne

The University of La Verne is a private university in La Verne, California, roughly 40 minutes from Irvine. It also maintains a regional campus in Irvine and offers online programs.

The Irvine campus offers bachelor's and master's degrees in areas of study like:

• business
• education
• management
• public administration

The University of La Verne was founded in 1891. It currently enrolls over 5,500 students through its main campus, multiple regional campuses, and online programs.

9. University of Southern California

The University of Southern California is a private research university in Los Angeles. It offers undergraduate programs in person and graduate programs on campus and online.

Students can earn degrees in fields such as:

• business
• computer and information science
• engineering
• health sciences and nursing

The university was established in 1880 and is the oldest private university in California. It's also the largest of all universities in California, with an enrollment of almost 49,000 students.

10. Vanguard University of Southern California

Vanguard University is a private Christian university in Costa Mesa, a city only minutes from Irvine. It offers bachelor's and master's degrees.

Degrees are available in areas of study like:

• business
• education
• health sciences and nursing
• psychology

Vanguard University was founded in 1920. Today it enrolls roughly 2,250 students, primarily in undergraduate programs.

What Is the Biggest School Near Irvine, California?

The largest school near Irvine, and the largest in California, is the University of Southern California, with nearly 49,000 students.

The largest public university, with over 46,000 students, is the University of California, Los Angeles.

How To Choose the Right College Near Irvine, California

There are many things to think about when trying to choose the right college.

These include:

• your intended major
• the location of the college
• the format of classes
• tuition and fees
• financial aid opportunities

Paying for Your Degree Near Irvine, California

Many students use financial aid to pay for their degrees. You can find out what financial aid you qualify for by filling out your Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA).

Some of the most common types of financial aid are scholarships, grants, student loans, and work-study programs.

Start Your Degree Near Irvine, California Today

Southern California offers many excellent colleges and universities. Check out our featured colleges near Irvine, California, and find your perfect fit today!