10 Best Colleges and Universities Near Thousand Oaks, CA

Thousand Oaks sits about 15 miles outside of Los Angeles in the northwestern part of the Greater LA metro area.

The city not only has several oak trees, but it's also conveniently located near many great colleges and universities.

Keep reading to discover the top universities and colleges near Thousand Oaks, California.

Featured Colleges Near Thousand Oaks, California

The location of Thousand Oaks, right outside LA, means it's surrounded by many top colleges and universities.

We've listed some of the best universities and colleges near Thousand Oaks, California, below in alphabetical order.

1. California Institute of the Arts

The California Institute of the Arts is a private art university in Santa Clarita, about 45 miles northwest of Thousand Oaks. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees.

Degrees are available in areas of fine arts like:

• Film
• Music
• Theater
• Visual Arts

CalArts was founded in 1883. Today it enrolls over 1,400 students, with the visual arts, such as animation, being the most popular fields of study.

2. California Lutheran University

California Lutheran University is a private Lutheran university based in Thousand Oaks with several campuses in California. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees.

Students can study fields such as:

• Business
• Communications
• Psychology
• Social Sciences

The university was founded in 1959. It currently enrolls about 3,600 students across six campus locations.

3. California State University, Channel Isles

California State University, Channel Islands is a public university in Camarillo, about 15 miles west of Thousand Oaks. It offers bachelor's and master's programs.

Degrees are available in areas of study like:

• Business
• Health Sciences
• Psychology
• Social Sciences

CSUCI was founded in 2002 and is the most recent addition to the California State University system. Today, it enrolls just over 6,100 students and is classified as a Hispanic-serving institution.

4. California State University, Northridge

California State University, Northridge, is a public university in northern Los Angeles, about a half hour east of Thousand Oaks. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees.

Students can study fields such as:

• Business
• Communication and Journalism
• Health Sciences
• Social Sciences

The university was established in 1952 and is part of the California State University system. It currently enrolls about 37,500 students.

5. Loyola Marymount University

Loyola Marymount University is a private Catholic research university 40 minutes from Thousand Oaks in Los Angeles. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs.

Degrees are available in areas of study like:

• Business
• Education
• Social Sciences
• Visual and Performing Arts

LMU was first founded in 1865 as a men's college. Today, it enrolls over 10,000 students, both men and women.

6. Moorpark College

Moorpark College is a public community college in Moorpark, just north of Thousand Oaks. It offers associate degrees and certificate programs.

Students can study fields such as:

• Biological and Physical Sciences
• Business
• Liberal Arts
• Social Sciences

The college is part of the Ventura County Community College District and was established in 1967. It currently enrolls nearly 12,500 students.

7. Mount Saint Mary's University, Los Angeles

Mount Saint Mary's University, Los Angeles is a private, Catholic university that primarily serves women. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs on campus and online.

Degrees are available in areas of study like:

• Business
• Education
• Health Sciences
• Psychology

MSMU was founded in 1925. Today, it enrolls almost 2,500 students, 93% of which are women.

8. Pepperdine University

Pepperdine University is a private Christian research university in Malibu, less than half an hour southwest of Thousand Oaks.

It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in person and online.

Students can study through the five colleges and schools within the university:

• Caruso School of Law
• Frank R. Seaver College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences
• Graduate School of Education and Psychology
• Graziado Business School
• School of Public Policy

The university was established in 1937 by entrepreneur and philanthropist George Pepperdine. It currently enrolls about 10,000 students, mainly in graduate programs.

9. Santa Monica College

Santa Monica College is a public community college in Santa Monica, about 40 minutes west of Thousand Oaks. It offers associate degrees, certificate programs, and one bachelor's degree in interaction design.

Degrees are offered in person and online in areas of study such as:

• Business
• Human and Social Sciences
• Liberal Arts
• Visual and Performing Arts

Santa Monica College was founded in 1929 and today enrolls over 22,300 undergraduate students.

10. University of California, Los Angeles

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

Students can study fields such as:

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

The university was established in 1881. It's the largest in the University of California system with an enrollment of over 46,000 students.

What Is the Biggest School Near Thousand Oaks, California?

The largest university or college near Thousand Oaks, California is the University of California, Los Angeles, with more than 46,000 students.

How To Choose the Right College Near Thousand Oaks, California

Choosing the right college can be difficult. You can ask yourself questions like:

• What college is the best for my major?
• What college has the best location?
• What format are classes offered in?
• What extracurriculars are available?
• How much will tuition and fees cost?
• What financial aid is available to me?

Paying for Your Degree Near Thousand Oaks, California

Most students use some combination of federal grants, scholarships, student loans, and work-study programs to pay for their degree.

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

Start Your Degree Near Thousand Oaks, California Today

There are many excellent universities and colleges near Thousand Oaks, California. Check out the featured programs above to find the right one today.