10 Best Colleges and Universities Near Santa Clarita, CA

Santa Clarita is a beautiful California city situated about 40 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles.

It's best known for Six Flags Magic Mountain and Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, but there's plenty more to do, including visiting Placerita Canyon Natural Area and Reyes Winery.

Did you know you can also earn a quality degree in this city? Keep reading to discover some of the best colleges near Santa Clarita, California. Also, keep in mind there are many great colleges in California.

Featured Colleges in Santa Clarita, CA

Learn about some of the top colleges near Santa Clarita, California.

1. The Master's University and Seminary

The Master's University and Seminary is a top-ranked institution located right in Santa Clarita, California.

The university has been placed in the top five private universities in California and has earned high marks for its learning facilities, learning opportunities, career preparation, and more.

Students can choose from more than 100 undergraduate areas of study and half a dozen graduate programs.

Areas of study include accounting, audio production, business administration, Christian ministries, and biblical counseling.

2. California State University - Northridge

California State University - Northridge is home to hundreds of undergraduate and graduate majors as well as additional educational options.

Academic offerings include construction management, art, biochemistry, civil engineering, journalism, management, and public health.

The university has been recognized as one of the best public universities in California as well as in the nation.

Students attending this school learn in Northridge, California, which is about 25 minutes from Santa Clarita.

3. ArtCenter College of Design

The ArtCenter College of Design, located in Pasadena, California, is recognized as a leader in art and design education.

This institution has earned high marks in graphic design, fine arts, and game design. It is also ranked among the top graduate schools.

Students can choose from more than a dozen undergraduate and graduate programs in areas like film, fine art, creative direction, spatial experience design, and interactive design.

The school is about 30 miles from Santa Clarita.

4. Providence Christian College

Providence Christian College offers a unique academic experience in which students progress through three phases.

Phase I starts with core courses that focus on the Old Testament and New Testament, composition, the Christian Life, and more.

Phase II involves choosing from concentrations like biblical and theological studies, education, psychology, and health and life sciences.

Phase III requires the completion of a capstone.

The university, located in Pasadena, is ranked among national liberal arts colleges and is recognized for its social mobility.

5. Mount Saint Mary's University

Mount Saint Mary's University students have access to more than 50 undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs.

Areas of study include global politics, geospatial criminology, early childhood education, film and media, and clinical psychology.

The university has been recognized as the top school in the Western region for social mobility. It has also been ranked a top regional university and best value in the West.

The school is located about 40 minutes away in Los Angeles.

6. California State University - Los Angeles

California State University - Los Angeles has been listed among the nation's top regional universities for years and is recognized for its undergraduate business and engineering programs.

The school is also highly ranked for its economic diversity, social mobility, affordability, and graduation rates.

Attendees have access to more than 100 academic programs in areas of study like exercise science, physics, Spanish, urban learning, geography, and child development.

The university is located in Los Angeles, California.

7. California Lutheran University

California Lutheran University delivers more than 40 majors and over 40 minors at the undergraduate level along with dozens of graduate degrees.

Areas of study include art, music, communication, chemistry, teaching, student counseling, psychology, information technology, and educational leadership.

The university has been ranked among top schools for veterans as well as schools offering the best value to students.

California Lutheran University is located in Thousand Oaks, California, which is about 45 miles from Santa Clarita.

8. California State University - Dominguez Hills

California State University - Dominguez Hills has many accolades. It has been ranked among the top public schools, best regional universities in the West, and top universities for affordability in California.

The university has also been recognized for its social mobility, graduate programs, career outcomes, diversity, and sustainability.

Its campus is located in Carson, California which is about 50 miles from Santa Clarita.

Attendees have access to dozens of degree programs, including advertising and public relations, environmental science, systems engineering, and women's studies.

9. California State University - Channel Islands

California State University - Channel Islands is the youngest of all of the CSU schools and is located in Camarillo, California � about 55 miles from Santa Clarita.

The school has earned high marks for social mobility, affordability, liberal arts offerings, nursing programs, and accommodations for transfer students.

Enrollees have more than 50 degrees to choose from in a broad range of fields.

Areas of study include sociology, mechatronics engineering, history, early childhood studies, business, anthropology, and communication.

10. Whittier College

At Whittier College, students have access to more than 50 majors and concentrations in a wide variety of fields.

Programs include biochemistry, kinesiology, social work, Spanish, philosophy, music, integrated computer science, and child development.

Whittier has been recognized for its ability to help students move up the economic ladder. It's also earned high marks for its diverse study body.

Whittier College is located in Whittier, California, which is about 60 miles from Santa Clarita.

What Is the Biggest School Near Santa Clarita, California?

If you're interested in attending a large school, you'll be pleased to learn that one of the biggest schools in the area happens to be only minutes away from Santa Clarita.

California State University - Northridge is home to the third-largest student body in California with more than 40,000 students.

The next largest school is California State University - Los Angeles. The school has a student body of approximately 26,000 students.

Though a bit further away in Carson, California State University - Dominguez Hills is another large school to consider with nearly 17,000 students enrolled as of 2023.

How To Choose the Right College Near Santa Clarita, California

When deciding which of the colleges near Santa Clarita, California are best for you, you'll want to consider several factors.

One of the first considerations to make is whether or not a school has your degree program of choice.

While some programs might offer similar programs, it's good to look for an exact match.

Also, consider how much you're willing to pay for tuition and other school costs like room and board.

Determine how much you can pay out of pocket and ask about financial aid packages from each school.

It's always important to visit the campuses of the schools you're considering to ensure you feel comfortable.

Speak with faculty members in your department to learn more about their program.

If you plan to live on the campus, check out the living conditions. If you plan to commute, make sure transportation options are available to get you to class on time.

Paying for Your Degree Near Santa Clarita, California

Are you interested in one of the colleges near Santa Clarita, California but can't afford to pay for school out of pocket?

Here are some additional ways to pay for your degree:

• Scholarships: One of the best ways to pay for school is to secure one or more scholarships. You can use scholarships to cover costs without worries of repayment.
• Grants: A federal grant like Pell or FSEOG can cover some of your school costs and doesn't have to be repaid.
• Federal Work-Study Program: The Federal Work-Study Program enables students to work for minimum wage or more to cover some school costs.
• Employer reimbursement: Some companies offer tuition reimbursement programs through which they help pay for workers' education costs via reimbursement.
• Military aid: Veterans or active servicemembers can take advantage of military grants, scholarships, tuition reduction programs, and the GI Bill.

You could also consider student loans, but keep in mind that they must be repaid after graduating.

Start Your Degree Near Santa Clarita, California Today

There are plenty of great colleges near Santa Clarita, California, and in surrounding cities.

Conduct thorough research to decide which school is right for you then take the steps needed to start your degree program.