3 Best Colleges and Universities Near Santa Maria, CA

Santa Maria lies between the major metropolitan areas of Los Angeles and San Francisco.

It's about 65 miles northwest of Santa Barbara. This somewhat remote location means there aren't a lot of colleges and universities directly nearby.

Keep reading to discover colleges near Santa Maria, CA.

Featured Colleges Near Santa Maria, CA

There is only one college within Santa Maria, and only a couple within an hour or so drive. We've listed them below in alphabetical order.

1. Allan Hancock College

Allan Hancock College is a public community college in Santa Maria. It offers associate degrees and certificate programs.

Degrees and certificates are available in areas of study like:

• business and finance
• health sciences
• people, cultures, and languages
• science and technology

Allan Hancock College was founded in 1920, and today enrolls about 10,300 students across four campus locations.

2. California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo is a public university around 33 miles north of Santa Maria. It offers bachelor's and master's programs.

Students can study through six colleges within the university:

• Bailey College of Science and Mathematics
• College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences
• College of Architecture and Environmental Design
• College of Engineering
• College of Liberal Art
• Orfalea College of Business

The university is a member of the California State University system and was originally established in 1901. It currently enrolls 22,000 students.

3. Cuesta College

Cuesta College is a public community college in San Luis Obispo. It offers associate degrees and certificates.

Degrees and certificates are available in areas of study like:

• business, agriculture, hospitality, and legal
• creative arts, humanities, and communication
• education and information
• health and wellness

Cuesta College was founded in 1963. Today, it enrolls about 10,000 students across three campus sites and online programs.

Other Featured Colleges Near Santa Maria, CA

While there are only a few colleges within an hour drive of Santa Maria, there are several more great colleges in California that require a bit more of a commute. We've featured additional programs below.

Antioch University, Santa Barbara

Antioch University at Santa Barbara is a a private liberal arts university roughly 65 miles southeast in downtown Santa Barbara. It offers bachelor's and master's degrees on campus and online.

Students can earn degrees through four focus areas:

• counseling, therapy, and psychology
• creative writing and communication
• education
• leadership and management

The university is part of the nationwide Antioch University system based out of Ohio. The Santa Barbara campus was established in 1977 and currently enrolls just under 300 students.

California State University, Bakersfield

California State University at Bakersfield is a public research university about 117 miles east of Santa Maria. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs.

Degrees are available through the university's four schools:

• School of Arts and Humanities
• School of Business and Public Administration
• School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Engineering
• School of Social Sciences and Education

Cal State Bakersfield is a member of the California State University system and was founded in 1965. Today, it enrolls about 9,600 students.

Fielding Graduate University

Fielding Graduate University is a private graduate university in Santa Barbara. It offers master's and doctoral programs in person and online.

Students can study fields such as:

• education
• human development
• leadership
• psychology

The university was established in 1974 and currently enrolls 1,000 graduate students. The most popular area of study is psychology.

Santa Barbara City College

Santa Barbara City College is a public community college in Santa Barbara. It offers associate degrees and certificate programs.

Degrees and certificates are available in areas of study like:

• biological and physical sciences
• health sciences
• liberal arts
• social sciences

SBCC is one of the oldest community colleges in California, founded in 1909. Today, it enrolls just under 12,700 students.

Taft College

Taft College is a public community college about 88 miles from Santa Maria in Taft. It offers associate degrees and certificate programs.

Students can study fields such as:

• business
• health and dental sciences
• human and social sciences
• liberal arts

The college is part of the California Community Colleges system and was established in 1922. It currently enrolls around 4,500 students.

University of California, Santa Barbara

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

Degrees are available through the university's five colleges and schools:

• Bren School of Environmental Science and Management
• College of Creative Studies
• College of Engineering
• College of Letters and Science
• Gevirtz Graduate School of Education

UCSB was founded in 1891 and joined the University of California system in 1944. Today, it enrolls nearly 16,500 students.

Ventura College

Ventura College is a public community college in Ventura, about 95 miles southeast of Santa Maria. It offers associate degrees and certificates.

Students can study fields such as:

• business
• health and wellness
• liberal arts and humanities
• science and technology

The college was established in 1925 and is a member of the Ventura County Community College District. It currently enrolls around 10,500 students.

What Is the Biggest School Near Santa Maria, California?

The largest college near Santa Maria, CA, is California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo, which enrolls 22,000 students.

How To Choose the Right College Near Santa Maria, California

Choosing the right college can be tricky. There are a few things to consider including:

• your intended major
• campus location and housing
• extracurricular options
• tuition and fees
• financial aid opportunities

Paying for Your Degree Near Santa Maria, California

In most cases, students use some amount of grants, scholarships, student loans, and work-study opportunities to pay for their degree.

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

Start Your Degree Near Santa Maria, California Today

There are a handful of colleges near Santa Maria, CA, and several more a little further out. Check out the featured colleges above to find the right one for you today.