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 39 colleges serving the area, including 21 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 2023, students completed 56,029 doctorates at colleges and universities near San Diego. That was an increase of 4% from completions reported in 2019.
Schools with Degree Completions
Est. Total Completions in 2023
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
5,117
Completions By Degree
2,171
Est. Online Degree Offerings
100%
Private Colleges & Universities Offering Degrees Near San Diego, California
There are at least 21 schools offering degrees near San Diego, California, and 21 are four-year private colleges or universities where about 50,017 undergraduate students were enrolled. In 2023, a total of 24,269 degrees were completed at private colleges and universities, including 20,193 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 2023, 1,429 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 88 associate degrees, 616 master's degrees, and 38 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
5,117
Completions By Degree
2,171
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
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 2023, 24 master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 1 bachelor's degree, and 5 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
4
Completions By Degree
30
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
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 2023, 851 master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 49 bachelor's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
197
Completions By Degree
900
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
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 2023, 13 master's degrees were completed. In addition, 4 associate degrees, 10 bachelor's degrees, and 1 doctoral degree were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
99
Completions By Degree
28
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
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 2023, 975 master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 35 bachelor's degrees, and 691 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
106
Completions By Degree
1,701
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 some programs completed were offered online. Doctoral degrees are the most popular at California Western School of Law. In 2023, 179 doctoral degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 bachelor's degrees, 97 master's degrees, were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
0
Completions By Degree
276
Est. Online Degree Availability
35%
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 some programs completed were offered online. Master's degrees are the most popular at Franciscan School of Theology. In 2023, 11 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
11
Est. Online Degree Availability
45%
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 2023, 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
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 2023, 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%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
National University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-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 2023, 3,752 master's degrees were completed. In addition, 246 associate degrees, 1,577 bachelor's degrees, and 39 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
7,993
Completions By Degree
5,614
Est. Online Degree Availability
98%
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 2023, 5,803 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 189 associate degrees, 2,465 master's degrees, and 42 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
26,113
Completions By Degree
8,499
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 2023, 831 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 402 master's degrees, and 4 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
3,149
Completions By Degree
1,237
Est. Online Degree Availability
49%
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 2023, 68 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
68
Est. Online Degree Availability
60%
Completions by Program Area
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 2023, 21 master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 4 bachelor's degrees, and 6 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
31
Completions By Degree
31
Est. Online Degree Availability
87%
Completions by Program Area
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 2023, 1,637 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 1,135 master's degrees, and 305 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
5,569
Completions By Degree
3,077
Est. Online Degree Availability
17%
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 2023, 62 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 32 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
229
Completions By Degree
94
Est. Online Degree Availability
10%
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 2023, 71 doctoral degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 bachelor's degrees, 2 master's degrees, were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
0
Completions By Degree
73
Est. Online Degree Availability
3%
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 2023, 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
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 2023, 4 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
4
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
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 2023, 67 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 1 associate degree, 32 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
328
Completions By Degree
100
Est. Online Degree Availability
81%
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 no programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Design Institute of San Diego. In 2023, 16 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
90
Completions By Degree
16
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 64,902 students were enrolled in undergraduate programs, and about 23,296 degrees were completed at public colleges near San Diego. Tuition shown reflects in-state rates.
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 2023, 9,088 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 2,775 master's degrees, and 761 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
33,092
Completions By Degree
12,624
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Completions by Program Area
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 2023, 8,703 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 1,809 master's degrees, and 160 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
31,810
Completions By Degree
10,672
Est. Online Degree Availability
36%
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 2023, about 67,628 students were enrolled in undergraduate courses at community colleges near San Diego, and about 8,907 associate degrees were completed.
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
10,994
Completions By Degree
2,563
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Completions by Program Area
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
14,685
Completions By Degree
2,043
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
10,622
Completions By Degree
1,035
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
6,527
Completions By Degree
892
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
9,918
Completions By Degree
887
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 minimal programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
14,882
Completions By Degree
1,487
Est. Online Degree Availability
1%
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 $25,169. The average tuition at similar 4-year for-profit schools near San Diego is $17,972, 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
- Northcentral 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
- The Chicago School of Professional Psychology at San Diego
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute
- High Tech High Graduate School of Education
- Grossmont College
- Southwestern College
- San Diego Miramar College
- Cuyamaca College
- San Diego City College
- San Diego Mesa College
- Design Institute of San Diego
- Newschool of Architecture and Design
- Ashford University
- United States University
- California Miramar 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 2023, there were about 2,256,607 jobs in the San Diego, California area. From 2022-2023, job growth in San Diego was below the national average, at 1.7%. There were 286,344 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 $24.68.