2025 Guide to Top Online Colleges Near San Francisco, California
Looking for information about the best online colleges and universities serving San Francisco? Here's your guide to the top schools offering online degrees to students in the area, including institutions located within 20 miles of San Francisco, California.
There are at least 21 colleges serving the area by offering distance learning programs, including 12 nonprofit online colleges, 2 for-profit online colleges, and 3 community colleges offering 2-year online degrees.
The Best Adult Colleges & Careers Guide provides a breakdown of online colleges serving San Francisco, with details about trends, school type, online degree offerings, and online program completions. Click here to learn more about the guide.
San Francisco, California Online Colleges by the Numbers
Online associate, bachelor's, masters, and doctoral degree completions at institutions near San Francisco, California have been growing over the past 5 years. In 2023, students completed 7,154 distance education degree programs at online colleges and universities near San Francisco. That was an increase of 65% from completions reported in 2019.
Schools with Distance Education Completions
Est. Total Online Completions in 2023
Est. Online Completions (Last 5 Years)
Sponsored
Top Online College for Busy Adults & Transfer Students
Franklin University is a top choice for online learners, transfer students 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 affordable bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
Adult Students
77%
Undergraduate Cost / Credit Hour
Best Nonprofit Online Colleges Serving San Francisco, California
There are at least 12 nonprofit 4-year schools serving San Francisco, California, where students completed 4,477 distance education degree programs. Of those schools, 12 were private nonprofit institutions and 4 were public schools. Browse through the listing below to learn more about these nonprofit online colleges serving San Francisco, including an estimate about online degree availability and popular online degree programs. Tuition shown reflects in-state rates.
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 Francisco, 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 distance education bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 88 associate degrees, 616 master's degrees, and 38 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
100%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
2,171
Online Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Saint Mary's College of California 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. Master's degrees are the most popular at Saint Mary's College of California. In 2023, 49 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 21 bachelor's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
8%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
70
Online Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Samuel Merritt University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are adults and most programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Samuel Merritt University. In 2023, 511 distance education bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 109 master's degrees, and 33 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
70%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
653
Online Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
University of San Francisco 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. Master's degrees are the most popular at University of San Francisco. In 2023, 215 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 bachelor's degrees, and 35 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
8%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
250
Online Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Minerva University is a non-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. Master's degrees are the most popular at Minerva University. In 2023, 5 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 bachelor's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
2%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
5
Online Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Graduate Theological Union 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 Graduate Theological Union. In 2023, 14 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 bachelor's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
52%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
14
Online Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Dominican University of California 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 Dominican University of California. In 2023, 288 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 33 bachelor's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
38%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
321
Online Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
California Institute of Integral Studies is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are adults and some programs completed were offered online. Master's degrees are the most popular at California Institute of Integral Studies. In 2023, 116 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 44 bachelor's degrees, and 28 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
43%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
188
Online Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Notre Dame de Namur 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 minimal programs completed were offered online. Master's degrees are the most popular at Notre Dame de Namur University. In 2023, 3 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 2 bachelor's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
7%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
5
Online Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Starr King School for the Ministry 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 Starr King School for the Ministry. In 2023, 20 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 bachelor's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
100%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
20
Online Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Berkeley 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 Berkeley School of Theology. In 2023, 8 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 bachelor's degrees, and 1 doctoral degree were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
100%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
9
Online Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Golden Gate 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 Golden Gate University. In 2023, 483 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 4 associate degrees, 166 bachelor's degrees, and 118 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
100%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
771
Online Completions by Program Area
For-Profit Online Colleges Near San Francisco, California
Get a list of four-year for-profit online colleges and universities near San Francisco, California here. According to 2022 data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, there were 2 for-profit 4-year schools near San Francisco, California where students completed 1,285 distance education degree programs.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
FIDM-Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising-San Francisco is a non-accredited for profit 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. Associate degrees are the most popular at FIDM-Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising-San Francisco. In 2023, 21 distance education associate degrees were completed. In addition, 15 bachelor's degrees, 0 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
55%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
36
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Academy of Art University is an institutionally accredited for profit 4-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and all programs completed were offered online. Master's degrees are the most popular at Academy of Art University. In 2023, 606 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 92 associate degrees, 551 bachelor's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
99%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
1,249
Online Completions by Program Area
Best Online Community Colleges Near San Francisco, California
Looking for a 2-year school or online community college near San Francisco? According to 2022 data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, there were 3 two-year schools near San Francisco, California where students completed 842 distance education degree programs. Browse through the listing below to learn more about each of the online community colleges near San Francisco, including an estimate about online degree availability and popular online degree programs. Tuition shown reflects in-state rates.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
College of Marin is an institutionally accredited for profit 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.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
0%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
1
Online Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
College of San Mateo is an institutionally accredited for profit 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and most programs completed were offered online.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
81%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
675
Online Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Skyline College is an institutionally accredited for profit 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
20%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
166
Online Completions by Program Area
Affordable Online Colleges Near San Francisco, California
Wondering what you can expect to pay for an online degree near San Francisco, California? According to undergraduate tuition data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, the average tuition at San Francisco-area's 4-year nonprofit schools is $29,656. The average tuition at similar 4-year for-profit schools near San Francisco is $29,650, while tuition at 2-year online colleges and universities is N/A.
4-Year Nonprofit
4-Year For-Profit
2-Year
Accredited Online Colleges Serving San Francisco, California
Earning a college degree is an investment — and earning a college 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 near San Francisco, California is institutionally accredited? View a list of institutionally accredited online colleges and universities serving San Francisco, California here. We've made it easy to find your school by breaking down the list by school type.
- Franklin University
- Berkeley School of Theology
- California Institute of Integral Studies
- Dominican University of California
- Golden Gate University
- Graduate Theological Union
- Notre Dame de Namur University
- Samuel Merritt University
- University of San Francisco
- Saint Mary's College of California
- Starr King School for the Ministry
- College of Marin
- College of San Mateo
- Skyline College
- Academy of Art University