10 Best Colleges and Universities Near Hayward, CA

Located on the eastern shore of the San Francisco Bay, Hayward, CA, is close to all the Bay Area action. This includes a wealth of colleges and universities.

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

Featured Colleges in Hayward, California

There are a few colleges and universities in or around the Hayward Area. We've listed them below.

1. California State University, East Bay

California State University, East Bay is a public research university in Hayward. It's a member of the California State University system and offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs.

Students can earn their degrees through three 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 and currently enrolls over 13,500 students.

2. Chabot College

Chabot College is a public community college in Hayward. It offers associate degrees and certificates.

Degrees are available in areas of study like:

• biological and biomedical sciences
• business
• liberal arts
• social sciences

Chabot College was founded in 1961 as part of the Chabot-Las Positas Community College District. Today, it enrolls just under 11,000 students.

3. College of Alameda

College of Alameda is a public community college in Alameda, about 17 miles along the Bay coast. It offers associate degrees and certificates.

Students can earn degrees in fields such as:

• business
• liberal arts
• mechanic and repair technologies
• social sciences

The college is part of the Peralta Community College District and was established in 1968. It currently enrolls over 5,500 students.

4. Merritt College

Merritt College is a public community college in nearby Oakland. It offers associate degrees and certificate programs.

Programs are available in areas of study like:

• business
• family and consumer sciences
• health sciences
• social sciences

Merrit College is another member of the Peralta Community College District and was founded in 1954. Today, it enrolls about 6,500 students.

5. Menlo College

Menlo College is a private business-focused college in Atherton, a city about 14 miles across the bay. It offers bachelor's degrees.

Degrees are available in areas of study like:

• accounting and finance
• business administration
• marketing
• psychology

The college was established in 1927 and currently enrolls 800 students.

6. Palo Alto University

Palo Alto University is a private university in Palo Alto, another city across the bay. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs.

The university focuses on counseling and psychology and includes graduate degrees in clinical psychology and clinical mental health counseling.

Palo Alto University was founded in 1975 and today enrolls just over 1,100 students, primarily graduate students.

7. Saint Mary's College of California

Saint Mary's College of California is a private Catholic college in Moraga, roughly 15 miles north of Hayward. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs.

Students can earn degrees through the college's four schools:

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

The college was established in 1863 and currently enrolls over 2,750 students.

8. Samuel Merritt University

Samuel Merritt University is a private health science-focused university in Oakland, about 16 miles up the coast from Hayward. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs.

Degrees can be earned through the university's three colleges:

• College of Health Sciences
• College of Nursing
• College of Podiatric Medicine

Samuel Merritt University was founded in 1909. Today, it enrolls just under 2,000 students and offers a student-teacher ratio of 6:1.

9. Stanford University

Stanford University is a private research university in Stanford, across the bay from Hayward. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees.

Students can earn degrees in fields such as:

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

The university was established in 1885 and currently enrolls over 18,000 students through its seven colleges and schools.

10. University of California, Berkeley

The University of California, Berkeley is a public research university in Berkeley, about 18 miles north of Hayward. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees.

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 campus of the University of California system. It currently enrolls over 45,000 students.

What Is the Biggest School Near Hayward, California?

The largest college near Hayward, California, is the University of California, Berkeley, with an enrollment of 45,000 students.

How To Choose the Right College Near Hayward, California

It can be hard to figure out which college is right for you. Some things to consider include:

• your major
• location
• extracurriculars
• tuition and fees
• financial aid

Paying for Your Degree Near Hayward, California

Many students use financial aid to help pay for their education, which may include grant, scholarships, loans, and work-study programs.

The first step to determine your financial aid eligibility is to fill out your Federal Application for Student Aid (FAFSA).

Start Your Degree Near Hayward, California Today

There's an abundance of top universities near Hayward, California. Check out the featured programs above to find the perfect match for you today.