2022 Best Colleges in the San Francisco Bay Area

• Stanford, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 4.09 out of 5  1,225 reviews

Alum: Now, 60+ years after a Stanford BSME, I am astoundingly grateful for a rounded undergraduate engineering education that led to 1) a succession of rewarding employments, and through those, 2) development of cultural appreciation and of language capability in Malaysian/Indonesian - employment experiences in human relations and communication that made me a more effective and versatile engineer. So to Stanford, thanks for getting me off to a great start! T. Savage, Seattle... Read 1,225 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 5%

• Net price $20,023

• SAT range 1420-1570

• Berkeley, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.68 out of 5  4,209 reviews

Freshman: UC Berkeley has a variety of student experiences academic opportunities. In terms of common/popular majors, seeing from my first year, many students study Computer Science/EECS, Data Science, Psychology, or Pre-Haas (Business). However, one of the biggest disadvantages of the Berkeley/Bay Area area is the high cost of living. In addition, UC Berkeley only guarantees dorm housing for first-years, so figuring out arrangements for off-campus housing in the future is a burden many students have to face early into their college experience. But as long as you stay on top of your research, and keep in mind your budget, that can be overcome. Overall, the key to success at UC Berkeley is awareness. Be grounded in your goals and taking the initiative to reach them!... Read 4,209 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 17%

• Net price $19,329

• SAT range 1310-1530

• Santa Clara, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.73 out of 5  1,425 reviews

Sophomore: I am a rising sophomore at Santa Clara University, and my experience thus far has been amazing to say the least. Coming into a four year university as a Latinx first-generation student was nerve-wracking at first; I wasn't sure how well I would adapt to a new environment. However, I was immediately received with open arms in a community that prides itself in acceptance, diversity, inclusion, and bronco spirit! Throughout my first year, I became involved in activities such as Associated Student Government, Mecha-El Frente, Campus Ministry, and the Office of Multicultural Learning. I have been able to find an incredible support system, long-life friends, outstanding professors, a social residential learning experience, and an active student life. In addition, the academics are extremely strong as professors prioritize their students, meaning that they put the well-being and success of those they teach in order to prepare them appropriately for future careers.... Read 1,425 reviews

• grade A

• Acceptance rate 51%

• Net price $48,284

• SAT range 1270-1450

• San Francisco, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.63 out of 5  2,242 reviews

Junior: USF's nursing program is pretty intense and very fast paced. It's great that you get into the program directly starting from Freshman year though. Professors are all definitely experienced and knowledgable. Location is good -- right in the middle of San Francisco, however it's pretty residential (have to bus/drive for food/groceries). Tuition is pretty pricey so it's important to make the most of what you learn and put in a lot of hard work! Food is usually healthy and balanced.... Read 2,242 reviews

• grade A minus

• Acceptance rate 70%

• Net price $42,801

• SAT range 1140-1330

• Moraga, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.58 out of 5  1,062 reviews

Alum: I had an amazing experience at Saint Mary's! The campus is beautiful and extremely quiet, I loved that I was able to experience the hustle and bustle of the Bay Area and then return to our gorgeous campus tucked away in the hills. I always felt safe on campus and included and part of the community. The classes were also very engaging, the round table discussions we had helped to sharpen my speaking and critical thinking skills. The seminar classes allowed me to discuss the Great Books from writers such as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle among many others with my peers. My favorite program at SMC was our 4-1-4 schedule, that let me explore out of my major. Saint Mary's also has an amazing Career Center that helped me be able to graduate with a job at a Fortune 500 company. Overall I enjoyed SMC and encourage everyone to visit and consider attending if you are looking for small classroom sizes, great discussion, and a well rounded education.... Read 1,062 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 77%

• Net price $40,401

• SAT range 1070-1240

• Vallejo, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.06 out of 5  152 reviews

Freshman: Great school, small classes, beautiful waterfront location. Students are here to work & get good jobs- if you’re looking for a party school vibe, this isn’t the place. Food options are limited but fine. First year dorm (upper) needs a major upgrade. New student center under construction, should be nice when done. Overall, while this is a small school, you get to know everyone including your professors- it’s worth it. You get practical experience too, and it’s great value for money.... Read 152 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 82%

• Net price $21,069

• SAT range 960-1190

• Oakland, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.68 out of 5  714 reviews

Sophomore: Mills college is such a diverse school! I took online classes due to covid, and most of the professors understood students' situations. Due to this, I personally haven't been onto campus but heard great things.... Read 714 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 91%

• Net price $27,954

• SAT range 1060-1300

• Atherton, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.93 out of 5  272 reviews

Alum: Menlo was a great college experience! Small school and felt like a family. Something I would like to see is the finals schedule come back. Since COVID we haven’t had a real finals schedule and professors have used that as an opportunity to assign presentations, essays and an exams all in the last week of school. It was overwhelming and the finals schedule helped relieve some of our stress because we only had to worry about 1 per class in the last week.... Read 272 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 65%

• Net price $27,052

• SAT range 920-1150

• San Jose, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.6 out of 5  4,135 reviews

Alum: I genuinely enjoyed my time at San Jose State University! Because the campus is located in the heart of Silicon Valley, there were many internship and professional development opportunities available for students. One thing I wasn’t too fond of was the fact that the campus is located in downtown, which is not the safest area to be around. Furthermore, the student demographic is very diverse, which exposes students to different unique perspectives. I felt that the academics were great as well. There were many opportunities for students to seek academic assistance, particularly in the MLK library, but the professors were generally helpful too.... Read 4,135 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 67%

• Net price $15,995

• SAT range 1010-1240

• San Rafael, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.51 out of 5  829 reviews

Freshman: Dominican University has a beautiful campus and lovely people. There is so much you can do, they offer many majors and clubs. Dominican's diversity can really be seen through their clubs, people love to host events to educate and showcase their culture. The residential halls will remind you of Harry Potter and are very comfortable spaces, there's a room with a pool table and another with a ping pong table! Dominican offers so much support, there are many tutors and mentors available and of course, counseling services. There's even a first-generation student program called Torch who helps the transition from high school and are a great support system, you can come to them for any reason. The smaller student population allows for people to really connect with their professors and advisors, which enriches the student experience.... Read 829 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 86%

• Net price $36,899

• SAT range 1070-1250

• San Francisco, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.51 out of 5  3,559 reviews

Alum: SFSU has a very diverse student body. They have a College of Ethnic Studies and the professors are very passionate about teaching. I enjoyed all my ethnic studies classes taken for general education. The library is spacious and has great resources like computers and group study rooms. The student health clinic is very accessible. There are many student clubs and events to participate in. Classes were impacted but not impossible to enroll in what you need. It's a commuter campus, meaning student life is quiet on weekends since majority of students live in the SF Bay Area and go home instead of hangout on campus. Easy location to commute to since they have a shuttle to Bart, there's MUNI, and samTrans all accessible to students. The food on campus is pretty good. They also have great coffee, too!... Read 3,559 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 84%

• Net price $14,757

• SAT range 930-1130

• Oakland, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.47 out of 5  346 reviews

Alum: Holy Names provided great care for their students. The small classes helped me be able to get one on one tutoring with my Professors. Every Professor at Holy Names challenges you. The career service is amazing! They truly want to see you succeed. The counselors help students prepare for applying to jobs, give us tips, and they even offer mock interviews. The scheduling advisors are very helpful and knowledgable. They make sure every student is on track. They make sure students are taking the coordinate classes for their major.... Read 346 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 63%

• Net price $23,430

• SAT range 720-880

• Hayward, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.53 out of 5  1,891 reviews

Alum: I loved how inclusive and diverse Cal state East Bay is! The professors are overall very helpful and want to see students succeed. I love the environment and the atmosphere and the vibes are immaculate. Most of all, I love the location of the school and how it was a commuter school for me. I was able to travel to and from Concord, and enjoyed the scenery that Hayward had to offer. My only recommendation would be for the advisors to really put themselves out there for freshmen to take advantage of. Had I been guided by a counselor from the start, I wouldn’t have taken useless classes that didn’t even benefit me for my major. That is the reason why I rated it 4/5 stars other wise I loved this school and it will always hold a special place for me.... Read 1,891 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 73%

• Net price $13,260

• SAT range 800-1020

• San Francisco, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  2,427 reviews

Alum: Academy of Art University is a private institution that hires industry professionals. This means that while teachers while are highly knowledgeable about their subjects, not all of them may know how to teach well. I was in the Game Development department (second biggest department) and I always had a comfortable connection with all my teachers. Class sizes are always bigger in the freshman year, but the school puts a max so it's not overcrowded and students have enough time for meaningful critics. This is the only school that I went to, and compared to my friends the attendance policy is relatively strict. Standard full-time schedule is 4 classes a week (each class is 3-6hrs long). As an artist your homework is always going to revolved around creating more assets for your portfolio or practicing skills to contribute to your profession. Since the school is in the city, buildings are scattered with free shuttles to move between class and dorms. Nice school to enjoy San Francisco.... Read 2,427 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $35,445

• SAT range —

• San Mateo, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.42 out of 5  99 reviews

Graduate Student: What I enjoyed about Gurnick was the strict rules I had to adhere to to ensure that I was getting the most out of my education and my money. After researching different Psychiatric Technician programs, Gurnick had offered me the opportunity as other schools had either a waiting list or a lottery process. Although the program is very expensive compared to going to a junior college, Gurnick’s fastrack program pushes you to the limit of recognizing your strengths, weaknesses, and overcoming your anxiety and fears. The disadvantages would be the cost of the program, and at times, the disorganization, but everything is resolved in due time. As a recent graduate from the Psychiatric Technician program, I have learned that I was able to withstand the complex challenges & I feel even more confident in myself!... Read 99 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $26,274

• SAT range —

• San Francisco, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.58 out of 5  379 reviews

Junior: As a whole, it is a very open and free art and design university! The teachers are of high quality, and they are all very prestigious designers and artists near San Francisco. The fly in the ointment is that the buildings currently used by the school are not satisfactory. But they are also working hard to build a new teaching space. The new student dormitory has completed in early 2021! Good sign!... Read 379 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 85%

• Net price $43,687

• SAT range —

• Belmont, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.42 out of 5  497 reviews

Senior: Great university if you love small and intimate class sizes. The university is a catholic university but as well a commuter school which means many of the students are commuters. The university does a lot of community work which is really amazing helping and giving back to the community. NDNU is located in Belmont CA, which is a very low-key area but it has easy access to San Francisco and San Jose. The school has a good sports program, men and women's soccer are wonderful to watch as well as men and women's basketball and men's lacrosse. Men's and women's cross country always does well, the university has added men and women track and field so the sports scene has grown which makes student life better.... Read 497 reviews

• grade C

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $28,243

• SAT range 890-1080

• Fremont, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.54 out of 5  155 reviews

Freshman: This is a private institution. I expect great things from this college. I am still on my second year there, but so far it is going great! Their professors make sure that every student understands the learning material. The reason why I only gave 4 stars is because it sometimes can be unorganized depending on the professor. Overall, the staff are very welcoming and are always willing to help their students.... Read 155 reviews

• grade C minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $52,638

• SAT range —

• Emeryville, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.65 out of 5  130 reviews

Senior: The school is great! I love the availability to be able to come back and do homework at any time or any day. The staff is very friendly and the teachers have their foot in the door in the industry that you want to get into. I feel that is key when you are starting the process into getting your degree. The tuition is a little pricey, but the school puts us first and I love it.... Read 130 reviews

• grade C minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $25,082

• SAT range —

• San Francisco, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 4.25 out of 5  85 reviews

Freshman: Positioned in the heart of downtown San Francisco, SFCM has a prime location and an amazing teaching staff. The highlight of my time at the school has been the time I've spent with the jazz faculty. The private teachers really care about helping each student find their own voice on their instrument. Overall, the facilities are great. The performance spaces, ensemble rooms, and studios are beautiful. The neighborhood is rough around the edges but the two buildings are secure. Even in the midst of the pandemic, there have been performance opportunities, recitals, and concerts in all departments.... Read 85 reviews

• grade A minus

• Acceptance rate 46%

• Net price $41,918

• SAT range —

• San Jose, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.4 out of 5  105 reviews

Alum: As an audio student, I was thoroughly, fluently, and professionally exposed to every aspect of audio. The learning experience was curated in such a way where projects were practical and hands-on, every professor possessed prolific veteran experience in their field, both technical and creative skills were put into practice, and fun was had. Additionally, soft skills were built into the curricula in a way where by the time I graduated, my interpersonal and professional presence felt like a natural part of who I was. At USV, students are held at an extremely high standard and are expected to make multiple mistakes at every point. However those obstacles are intentional, and they are only put in place to constructively build them into a stronger engineer. And if properly utilized, all of said experiences are experiences that can directly propel students into their respective careers.... Read 105 reviews

• grade C+

• Acceptance rate 42%

• Net price $26,272

• SAT range —

• El Dorado Hills, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 4.07 out of 5  46 reviews

Senior: One of the best academic experiences I've ever had! Every professor is extremely wise and helpful with assignments. The professors even call the students over the summer to check up on them and see how everyone is doing outside of school. The school work can sometimes feel overwhelming when one doesn't prioritize correctly but it is all very rewarding and practical for someone going into ministry of any capacity. The tuition is considerably less expensive compared to secular colleges and the textbooks aren't very expensive either.... Read 46 reviews

• grade C+

• Acceptance rate 56%

• Net price $16,651

• SAT range —

• San Francisco, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.52 out of 5  161 reviews

Works Here: SFAI is for students committed to discovering their unique talents who have the courage & commitment to become professional artists. Since 1871, this has been the birthplace of one important cultural movement after another from fine art photography to Burning Man. Faculty are dedicated mentors and a student-teacher ratio of 9:1 means every student receives individual attention. A spectacular waterfront graduate campus just opened where students are assigned their own studios. That's in addition to the historic campus where Kehinde Wiley, Annie Liebowitz, Barry McGee, and many other artists once studied. These well-known artists say SFAI played a critical role in development & often return for master classes, fundraising events, and exhibitions -- part of a network of influential alumni that is global in scope. Many also say that SFAI helped establish a local culture that embraces creativity, making San Francisco a hotbed of innovation across every industry.... Read 161 reviews

• grade C minus

• Acceptance rate 90%

• Net price $42,757

• SAT range 930-1160

• Oakland, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.58 out of 5  136 reviews

Junior: SMU emphasizes safety and patient care above all else. The student to professor ratio is 8:1, which allows me to clarify about mishaps I have. The professors really care about what they teach and they choose students with fires in their souls. I love being around people that want to help others through all walks of life. I have never been happier attending a college before SMU! All the blood, sweat & tears are worth fulfilling my dreams of taking care of others - with love and empathy.... Read 136 reviews

• grade unavailable

• Acceptance rate —

• Net price —

• SAT range —

• San Francisco, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  96 reviews

Alum: The GGU School of Law is a perfect place for International law students. It's not big in the number of staff and students, but it is the best thing about this university. Professors are always available for individual consultation, the administraton is very carying and is always ready to help. It's more like a family. The study process is very comfortable, but at the same time deep and demanding. Most of the professors are former international students and it helps a lot in terms of adapting to new system and socialization. They are always happy to share their experience and to direct you in your career path if you wish. I believe it was the best option I could have chosen when applying for the LLM in International Legal studies.... Read 96 reviews

• grade unavailable

• Acceptance rate —

• Net price —

• SAT range —