Colleges Near San Diego, California
Looking for information about the best colleges and universities serving San Diego? Here's your guide to the top schools offering degrees to students in the area, including institutions located within 20 miles of San Diego, California.
There are at least 40 colleges serving the area, including 22 private colleges and universities, 2 public colleges and universities, and 6 community colleges offering 2-year degrees.
The Best Adult Colleges & Careers Guide provides a breakdown of the colleges serving San Diego, with details about cost, enrollment, student type and degree offerings. Click here to learn more about the guide.
San Diego, California Colleges by the Numbers
Associate, bachelor's, masters, and doctoral degree completions at institutions near San Diego, California have been growing over the past 5 years. In 2022, students completed 57,809 doctorates at colleges and universities near San Diego. That was an increase of 9% from completions reported in 2018.
Schools with Degree Completions
Est. Total Completions in 2022
Est. Completions (Last 5 Years)
Sponsored
Top School For Adults & Online Students
Franklin University is a top choice for transfer students, online learners and adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
4,444
Completions By Degree
1,820
Est. Online Degree Offerings
100%
Private Colleges & Universities Offering Degrees Near San Diego, California
There are at least 22 schools offering degrees near San Diego, California, and 22 are four-year private colleges or universities where about 54,295 undergraduate students were enrolled. In 2022, a total of 25,871 degrees were completed at private colleges and universities, including 21,548 that were offered online.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Franklin offers more than 50 online bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctoral programs in the San Diego, California area. Franklin University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are adults and all programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Franklin University. In 2022, 1,011 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 94 associate degrees, 676 master's degrees, and 39 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
4,444
Completions By Degree
1,820
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
High Tech High Graduate School of Education is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online. Master's degrees are the most popular at High Tech High Graduate School of Education. In 2022, 46 master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 bachelor's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
0
Completions By Degree
46
Est. Online Degree Availability
59%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
California Miramar University is an institutionally accredited for profit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and all programs completed were offered online. Master's degrees are the most popular at California Miramar University. In 2022, 23 master's degrees were completed. In addition, 2 associate degrees, 18 bachelor's degrees, and 2 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
91
Completions By Degree
45
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Point Loma Nazarene University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Point Loma Nazarene University. In 2022, 935 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 403 master's degrees, and 2 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
3,170
Completions By Degree
1,340
Est. Online Degree Availability
51%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Newschool of Architecture and Design is an institutionally accredited for profit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and minimal programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Newschool of Architecture and Design. In 2022, 143 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 52 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
301
Completions By Degree
195
Est. Online Degree Availability
12%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Thomas Jefferson School of Law is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online. Doctoral degrees are the most popular at Thomas Jefferson School of Law. In 2022, 50 doctoral degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 bachelor's degrees, 10 master's degrees, were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
0
Completions By Degree
60
Est. Online Degree Availability
17%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Platt College-San Diego is a non-accredited for profit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and no programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Platt College-San Diego. In 2022, 44 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 29 associate degrees, 0 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
64
Completions By Degree
73
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Argosy University-The Art Institute of California-San Diego is a non-accredited for profit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and no programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Argosy University-The Art Institute of California-San Diego. In 2022, 170 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 72 associate degrees, 0 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
846
Completions By Degree
242
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
University of San Diego is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at University of San Diego. In 2022, 1,688 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 1,012 master's degrees, and 330 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
5,601
Completions By Degree
3,030
Est. Online Degree Availability
15%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Argosy University-San Diego is a non-accredited for profit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are adults and no programs completed were offered online. Master's degrees are the most popular at Argosy University-San Diego. In 2022, 36 master's degrees were completed. In addition, 4 associate degrees, 33 bachelor's degrees, and 5 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
146
Completions By Degree
78
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Southern California Seminary is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are adults and most programs completed were offered online. Master's degrees are the most popular at Southern California Seminary. In 2022, 20 master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 3 bachelor's degrees, and 10 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
46
Completions By Degree
33
Est. Online Degree Availability
73%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
San Diego Christian College is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and most programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at San Diego Christian College. In 2022, 103 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 3 associate degrees, 19 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
438
Completions By Degree
125
Est. Online Degree Availability
69%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
United States University is an institutionally accredited for profit 4-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are adults and all programs completed were offered online. Master's degrees are the most popular at United States University. In 2022, 666 master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 47 bachelor's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
175
Completions By Degree
713
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
California Western School of Law is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online. Doctoral degrees are the most popular at California Western School of Law. In 2022, 238 doctoral degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 bachelor's degrees, 87 master's degrees, were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
0
Completions By Degree
325
Est. Online Degree Availability
27%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Design Institute of San Diego is an institutionally accredited for profit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and minimal programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Design Institute of San Diego. In 2022, 26 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 4 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
119
Completions By Degree
30
Est. Online Degree Availability
13%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Northcentral University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are adults and all programs completed were offered online. Master's degrees are the most popular at Northcentral University. In 2022, 1,139 master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 75 bachelor's degrees, and 699 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
158
Completions By Degree
1,913
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Bethel Seminary-San Diego is a non-accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and all programs completed were offered online. Master's degrees are the most popular at Bethel Seminary-San Diego. In 2022, 19 master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 bachelor's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
0
Completions By Degree
19
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Ashford University is an institutionally accredited for profit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are adults and all programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Ashford University. In 2022, 6,531 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 212 associate degrees, 2,723 master's degrees, and 56 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
31,534
Completions By Degree
9,522
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and no programs completed were offered online. Doctoral degrees are the most popular at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute. In 2022, 6 doctoral degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 bachelor's degrees, 0 master's degrees, were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
0
Completions By Degree
6
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Franciscan School of Theology is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and all programs completed were offered online. Master's degrees are the most popular at Franciscan School of Theology. In 2022, 10 master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 bachelor's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
0
Completions By Degree
10
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
National University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are adults and all programs completed were offered online. Master's degrees are the most popular at National University. In 2022, 4,194 master's degrees were completed. In addition, 240 associate degrees, 1,758 bachelor's degrees, and 30 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
7,160
Completions By Degree
6,222
Est. Online Degree Availability
98%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology at San Diego is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are adults and no programs completed were offered online. Master's degrees are the most popular at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology at San Diego. In 2022, 19 master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 bachelor's degrees, and 5 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
2
Completions By Degree
24
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Completions by Program Area
Public Colleges & Universities Near San Diego, California
There are 2 four-year public colleges located near San Diego, California. About 64,330 students were enrolled in undergraduate programs, and about 22,822 degrees were completed at public colleges near San Diego. Tuition shown reflects in-state rates.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
San Diego State University is an institutionally accredited public 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at San Diego State University. In 2022, 8,969 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 1,586 master's degrees, and 157 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
30,991
Completions By Degree
10,712
Est. Online Degree Availability
36%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
University of California-San Diego is an institutionally accredited public 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and no programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at University of California-San Diego. In 2022, 9,422 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 1,946 master's degrees, and 742 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
33,339
Completions By Degree
12,110
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Completions by Program Area
Community Colleges Near San Diego, California
There are 6 community colleges near San Diego, California where students can earn 2-year associate degrees. In 2022, about 69,163 students were enrolled in undergraduate courses at community colleges near San Diego, and about 9,147 associate degrees were completed.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Southwestern College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and no programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
14,285
Completions By Degree
2,158
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
San Diego City College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and no programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
10,852
Completions By Degree
976
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
San Diego Miramar College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and no programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
10,881
Completions By Degree
1,114
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Cuyamaca College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and no programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
6,473
Completions By Degree
1,009
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
San Diego Mesa College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and no programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
15,217
Completions By Degree
1,541
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Grossmont College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and no programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
11,455
Completions By Degree
2,349
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Completions by Program Area
Affordable Colleges Near San Diego, California
Wondering what you can expect to pay for a degree near San Diego, California? According to undergraduate tuition data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, the average tuition at San Diego-area's 4-year nonprofit schools is $23,614. The average tuition at similar 4-year for-profit schools near San Diego is $17,138, while tuition at 2-year online colleges and universities is N/A.
4-Year Nonprofit
4-Year For-Profit
2-Year
Accredited Colleges Serving San Diego, California
Earning a college degree is an investment — and earning a degree from an institutionally accredited university is one of the best ways to ensure your education is of high quality. Institutionally accredited universities are held to rigorous standards by state and regional bodies and undergo regular reviews to verify that their processes and academic programs meet the proper standards.
Wondering if a certain college or university offering degree programs in San Diego, California is institutionally accredited? View a list of institutionally accredited colleges and universities serving San Diego, California here. We've made it easy to find your school by breaking down the list by school type.
- Franklin University
- California Western School of Law
- San Diego Christian College
- Franciscan School of Theology
- Southern California Seminary
- National University
- Point Loma Nazarene University
- University of San Diego
- Thomas Jefferson School of Law
- High Tech High Graduate School of Education
- Northcentral University
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute
- The Chicago School of Professional Psychology at San Diego
- Southwestern College
- San Diego City College
- San Diego Miramar College
- Cuyamaca College
- San Diego Mesa College
- Grossmont College
- Design Institute of San Diego
- Newschool of Architecture and Design
- Ashford University
- California Miramar University
- United States University
San Diego, California Job Market & Opportunities
What happens after you earn your college degree in San Diego? What's the San Diego, California job market outlook? Get a snapshot of jobs and careers, including annual job openings, median earnings and more.
In 2022, there were about 2,188,296 jobs in the San Diego, California area. From 2021-2022, job growth in San Diego was above the national average, at 4.5%. There were 284,160 job openings in the area. In terms of earnings, workers in San Diego do better than the national average, with an average hourly pay of $23.49.