10 Best Colleges and Universities Near Stockton, CA
Stockton sits in the lush Central Valley, inland from the San Francisco Bay Area. Check out some of the best universities and colleges near Stockton, California.
Stockton, California is a large city in the Central Valley, just outside of the San Francisco Bay Area. This gives residents the option to attend some of the best colleges in California.
Keep reading to learn more about the best universities and colleges near Stockton, California.
Featured Colleges in Stockton, California
While Stockton itself doesn't have many schools, the Central Valley and nearby Bay Area provide access to several colleges and universities.
Below, we've listed some of the top colleges near Stockton, California in alphabetical order.
1. California State University, East Bay
California State University, East Bay is a public research university in Hayward, California, roughly 45 miles from Stockton. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs.
Students can earn degrees from the four colleges within the university:
- College of Business and Economics
- College of Education and Allied Studies
- College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences
- College of Science
The university was established in 1957 as a member of the California State University system. It currently enrolls over 13,500 students.
2. California State University, Sacramento
California State University, Sacramento is a public university about 45 miles north of Stockton. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs.
Degrees are available in areas of study like:
- Busines
- Engineering
- Psychology
- Social Sciences
Cal State Sacramento was founded in 1947 and today enrolls almost 32,000 students, primarily in undergraduate programs.
3. California State University, Stanislaus
California State University is a public university in Turlock, around 40 miles south of Stockton. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs.
Students can earn degrees through the four colleges within the university:
- College of the Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
- College of Business Administration
- College of Education, Kinesiology, and Social Work
- College of Science
The university was established in 1957 and is another member of the California State University system. It currently enrolls over 10,000 students.
4. Humphrey's University
Humphrey's University is a private university with two campuses, one in Stockton and another in nearby Modesto. It offers associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs.
Degrees are available on campus and online in areas of study like:
- Business
- Criminal Justice
- Education
- Legal Studies
Humphrey's University was founded in 1896. Today, it enrolls just under 400 students through its two campuses and online programs.
5. Saint Mary's College of California
Saint Mary's College of California is a private Catholic college in Moraga, California, about 45 miles west of Stockton. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs.
Students can earn degrees through the four schools within the college:
- Kalmanovitz School of Education
- School of Economics and Business Administration
- School of Liberal Arts
- School of Science
The university was established in 1863 and currently has a student population of over 2,750 students.
6. San Francisco Bay University
San Francisco Bay University is a small university about 45 miles from Stockton in the city of Fremont. It offers bachelor's and master's degrees.
Degrees are available in three fields:
- Business Administration
- Computer Science
- Electrical Engineering
San Francisco Bay University enrolls about 160 students and has a student-teacher ratio of 3:1.
7. San Jos� State University
San Jos� State University is a public university in San Jos�.
It's a member of the California State University system and offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees.
Students can earn degrees in fields such as:
- Business
- Engineering
- Health Sciences and Nursing
- Visual and Performing Arts
The university is the oldest public university in the state, established in 1857. It currently enrolls around 37,750 students across its nine colleges.
8. University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley is a public research university in Berkeley, about 50 miles west of Stockton. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs.
Degrees are available in areas of study like:
- Business
- Computer and Information Science
- Engineering
- Social Sciences
UC Berkeley was founded in 1868 and is the flagship university of the University of California System. Today, it enrolls over 45,000 students.
9. University of California, Davis
The University of California, Davis is a public research university in Davis, around 45 miles north of Stockton. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees.
Students can earn degrees in fields such as:
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- Business
- Engineering
- Social Sciences
The university was first established in 1905 and currently enrolls nearly 40,000 students, most of them undergraduate students.
10. University of the Pacific
The University of the Pacific is a private Methodist university in Stockton. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs.
Degrees are available in areas of study like:
- Biology and Biological Studies
- Business
- Health Sciences and Nursing
- Law
The history of the University of the Pacific goes back to 1851. Today, it enrolls over 6,000 students through its nine colleges and schools.
What Is the Biggest School Near Stockton, California?
The biggest college near Stockton, California is the University of California, Berkeley with over 45,000 students.
How To Choose the Right College Near Stockton, California
There are a few things to consider when choosing the right college. These include:
- Your major
- Location
- Extracurriculars
- Tuition and fees
- Financial aid
Paying for Your Degree Near Stockton, California
College degrees are expensive, so most students use a combination of scholarships, college grants, student loans, and work-study programs to help them pay for their education.
To find out what financial aid you qualify for, start by filling out your Federal Application for Student Aid (FAFSA).
Start Your Degree Near Stockton, California Today
Students can choose from several excellent colleges near Stockton, California. Check out the featured programs above to find the right college for you today!