10 Best Colleges and Universities Near Riverside, CA

Riverside, California, is one of the largest cities in the Inland Empire, the eastern part of the Greater Los Angeles metropolitan area.

The Inland Empire has a distinct geography and culture but also offers access to the glitz, glam, and commodities of Los Angeles, including colleges and universities.

Keep reading to discover some of the best universities and colleges near Riverside, California.

Featured Colleges In and Near Riverside, CA

While there isn't as much hustle and bustle in Inland Empire, there are still many choices for colleges and universities.

Below, we've listed our top picks for colleges near Riverside, California.

1. California Baptist University

California Baptist University is a private Baptist university in Riverside. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees on campus and online.

Degrees are available in areas of study like:

• Business
• Education
• Health Sciences and Nursing
• Psychology

Cal Baptist was founded in 1950. Today, it 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, just north of Riverside. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs.

Students can earn degrees through the following 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

The university was established in 1965 and became part of the California State University system. It currently enrolls nearly 20,000 students.

3. Cambridge College

Cambridge College is a private college based in Boston Massachusetts with a regional campus in Rancho Cucamonga, just northwest of Riverside.

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

• Business
• Education
• Health Sciences and Nursing
• Psychology

Cambridge College was founded in 1971. Today, it enrolls over 2,100 students through its main campus, regional campuses, and online programs.

4. La Sierra University

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

Students can earn degrees 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. It currently enrolls about 1,600 students, most of them undergraduate students.

5. Loma Linda University

Loma Linda University is a private Christian university in Loma Linda, about ten miles outside of Riverside. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs on campus and online.

Programs are available in health science fields such as:

• Medicine
• Nursing
• Pharmacy
• Physical Therapy

Loma Linda University was first founded in 1905 as a sanatorium. Today, it enrolls over 4,000 students in health sciences programs.

6. Pomona College

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

Students can earn degrees 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 students and has a student-teacher ratio of 7:1.

7. University of California, Riverside

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

Degrees are available in fields such as:

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

UC Riverside was founded in 1954 as part of the University of California system. Today it enrolls nearly 27,000 students.

8. University of La Verne

The University of La Verne is a private university based in La Verne, about 30 miles from Riverside. It also offers a regional campus in Ontario, California, about 16 miles away.

Students at the Ontario campus can earn bachelor's and master's degrees in areas of study like:

• Business
• Education
• Management
• Public Administration

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

9. University of Redlands

The University of Redlands is a private university in Redlands, about 15 miles from Riverside. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees on campus and online.

Degrees are available through the following colleges and schools within the university:

• 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, most of which are in undergraduate programs.

10. University of Southern California

The University of Southern California is a private research university in Los Angeles, about 50 miles from Riverside.

It offers undergraduate programs on campus 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 currently enrolls nearly 49,000 students.

It's the oldest private university in California as well as the largest university in California.

What Is the Biggest School Near Riverside, California?

The largest school near Riverside is also the largest in California: the University of Southern California, with almost 49,000 students.

How To Choose the Right College Near Riverside, California

There are many excellent colleges near Riverside, California, and it can be hard to choose the right one. Consider things like:

• Your intended major
• Where the school is located
• What format programs are offered in
• How much tuition costs
• What types of financial aid are offered

Paying for Your Degree Near Riverside, California

Most students pay for their college degrees with a mix of financial aid options like federal grants, scholarships, student loans, and work-study programs.

To find out what types of financial aid you qualify for, start by filling out your Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA).

Start Your Degree Near Riverside, California Today

Students can choose from many fantastic universities and colleges near Riverside, California. Check out the featured programs above to find your perfect fit today!