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2018 Best Colleges in the San Francisco Bay AreaAbout this List

The Best Colleges ranking is based on rigorous analysis of academic, admissions, financial, and student life data from the U.S. Department of Education along with millions of reviews from students and alumni. The ranking compares more than 1,000 top colleges and universities in the U.S. Read more on how this ranking was calculated.

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  1. Stanford University

    • 4 Year
    • Stanford, CA
    • 1,116
    1 Best Colleges in California

    Freshman: Stanford is a beautiful, welcoming place where everyone is welcome! There is an overwhelming sense of community to be found by anyone from any background, and academics are challenging and prepare you for anything you may want to pursue after college. The atmosphere and school spirit are always lively, and it's an overall great place to be.
    Read 1,116 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 5% Acceptance Rate
    • $16,695 Net Price
    • 1380-1580 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  2. University of California - Berkeley

    • 4 Year
    • Berkeley, CA
    • 3,786
    8 Best Colleges in California

    Sophomore: Berkeley is just perfect balance between academics and fun! I have amazing professors in all of my classes and they never stress me out too much. It's rigorous enough to get me going but not up to the point where it is not enjoyable. I have plenty of time to destress and go crazy on frat row. Berkeley also provides very unique experiences with a campus ripe with freedom of self-expression. You meet all sorts of people. Also, Berkeley is the number 1 public university in the world so you are definitely getting your money's worth!
    Read 3,786 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 17% Acceptance Rate
    • $17,160 Net Price
    • 1270-1540 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  3. Santa Clara University

    • 4 Year
    • Santa Clara, CA
    • 1,293
    12 Best Colleges in California

    Sophomore: So far, I love my experience at SCU! Everyone I've encountered has been friendly and the professors are awesome to talk to. The campus is beautiful and a perfect size. There are many resources open to students to help them out academically and with their career interests. If I were to point out any cons, housing can get expensive, the party scene isn't very big, and attending athletic sporting events isn't as common as other colleges. However, I still think SCU was the right choice for me.
    Read 1,293 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 48% Acceptance Rate
    • $37,657 Net Price
    • 1200-1400 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  5. University of San Francisco

    • 4 Year
    • San Francisco, CA
    • 2,009
    21 Best Colleges in California

    Junior: So far in my time at the University of San Francisco, I have been blown away by the professors. They are all passionate, smart, experts in their fields, and although some styles of teaching may clash I have never felt afraid to go and ask a professor for help. The small class sizes definitely help the close atmosphere one can develop with professors. The number of extracurriculars you can apply yourself to are also amazing. There's a club for everything. And I will plug a little about the theater group the College Players as I am a part of that! We have the second oldest student-run college theater group in the USA, second only to Harvard. How cool is that!
    What could be improved is the cafeteria food. It's rather expensive, and not all that good for what you pay for.
    Read 2,009 Reviews

    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 71% Acceptance Rate
    • $35,054 Net Price
    • 1030-1250 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  6. Mills College

    • 4 Year
    • Oakland, CA
    • 664
    33 Best Colleges in California

    Sophomore: I like Mills College because it is an all girls private college in Oakland, California. I have found this city to be ethnically diverse. There are many students from many different places. The class sizes are very small also. It offers a Bachelor's-to-Master's Graduate Program in Psychology that interests me. During my final two years I will be given the opportunity to enroll in internships that will provided me with hands on experiences in the area of my studies. One thing that I would suggest for improvement would be not to raise the tuition rates. The tuition is already really expensive.
    Read 664 Reviews

    • B+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 84% Acceptance Rate
    • $27,647 Net Price
    • 925-1233 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  7. California State University Maritime Academy

    • 4 Year
    • Vallejo, CA
    • 135
    37 Best Colleges in California

    Freshman: I like how theCalifornia Maritime Academy is unique in their own way from all other universities in the CSU system. I also like how it is a small campus. Something that CMA can fix, is the parking lot space.
    Read 135 Reviews

    • B+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 68% Acceptance Rate
    • $14,606 Net Price
    • 960-1190 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?
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  9. Saint Mary's College of California

    • 4 Year
    • Moraga, CA
    • 973
    49 Best Colleges in California

    Alum: 15 years out of SMC, having taken undergrad courses at Berkeley; grad courses at Fordham, Columbia and receiving my master’s from NYU, I know that that this institution is top-notch. It’s definitely a you-get-what-you-put-into-it. You will encounter caring and passionate professors and a community. Every time I visit the campus, it seems more diverse and of course, that’s inspiring. I was a business major but the liberal arts aspects - learning to think deeply and to constantly question the answer with a critical view - is what this school is about. This school opens you up to making connections in material and in the real world. I went straight to NYC for a decade, two weeks after graduating from SMC. I will say that St Mary’s is a bubble; the school isn’t so much about teaching street smarts, but you can easily learn all things academic here, if you choose. Getting involved is key, too. And the alum connections are fantastic.
    Read 973 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 80% Acceptance Rate
    • $35,696 Net Price
    • 950-1160 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  10. Dominican University of California

    • 4 Year
    • San Rafael, CA
    • 778
    58 Best Colleges in California

    Freshman: My experience at Dominican University has created nothing more than a positive environment that has enhanced my overall experience as a first year student. It has exceeded my expectations that I had for the school. For starters, the professors are all willing to help you in all possible ways to enable success. I feel extremely safe at my school as campus security is always there for you no matter the time of night. Being that I am an African American going to a school where I am the minority I was initially concerned about being discriminated against. However, the school goes to enormous efforts to stress the importance of equality. In today's society, it is nice to know that the university I attend seems me just as everyone else. No matter the background, race, religion, sexuality, etc., everyone is seen as equals and it is the such a beautiful environment to be around and further my education.
    Read 778 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 78% Acceptance Rate
    • $34,339 Net Price
    • 918-1123 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  11. Menlo College

    • 4 Year
    • Atherton, CA
    • 232

    Freshman: Menlo College provides an experience compiled of new and challenging experiences. Students are allowed to thrive through versatile learning approaches. Both faculty and professors alike, encourage all students to perform to fullest capabilities. Professors enhance critical thinking and strategic methods by incorporating group work and presentations to allow students access of speaking up. All students have opportunities to get involved with the school, local community, actively engage with athletics and arts, alongside pursuit in expanding business connections on a global level. Innovation at Menlo College expands on solving social and economic issues. Menlo College also provides the necessary tools toward achieving personalized success. The possibilities are endless!
    Read 232 Reviews

    • B-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 41% Acceptance Rate
    • $29,439 Net Price
    • 872-1130 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?
  12. Sponsored

    Los Angeles College of Music

    • 4 Year
    • Pasadena, CA
    • 12

    College Junior: At Lacma every department wants to give the student the best experience. The housing department was really present when I moved to Los Angeles, I was also given help with the visa process, admissions etc
    Read 12 Reviews

    • B-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 100% Acceptance Rate
    • $31,456 Net Price
    • — SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  13. Holy Names University

    • 4 Year
    • Oakland, CA
    • 327

    Sophomore: Holy Names is a gem in the Oakland Hills. The school is small and everyone knows each other, which to me was a cool thing. Holy Names offers many events for students. The faculty and staff will know you by first name after the first week! Classes are small so professors will know you well and will help in areas you are struggling in. Also, free tutoring is offered on campus! HNU offers many resources, it is up to the individual to use them! Everyone is very helpful in leading you into the right direction! The school is very diverse, and the students are very understanding and welcoming! It is very safe here, we have one entrance and exit onto campus and its guarded by a gate and security! Their is so much to do in the area, also very close to downtown sf, just a short BART ride away!
    Read 327 Reviews

    • B-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 48% Acceptance Rate
    • $21,464 Net Price
    • 822-990 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  14. Foothill College

    • 4 Year
    • Los Altos Hills, CA
    • 405

    Freshman: It's pretty great, except you have to take initiative to get involved in things. Seek out all of the opportunities you catch wind of, join clubs, search for on campus internships, etc. Don't expect these things to search for themselves! Single best piece of advice is to join student government, it will open up all sorts of additional opportunities. Plenty of ways to make friends although you likely will meet them in activities outside of class. And don't lose track of your transfer goals! Setting a plan in advance is the single best way of guaranteeing that you will only need to stay at Foothill for two years before transferring.
    Read 405 Reviews

    • B-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 100% Acceptance Rate
    • $6,281 Net Price
    • — SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  15. San Jose State University

    • 4 Year
    • San Jose, CA
    • 3,670

    Senior: SJSU is an AWESOME college campus and has a AMAZING education system. The university was built in the 1850's and is one of the oldest in the West Coast college systems!

    SJSU is VERY WELL CONTAINED I.e. Campus housing; academic, social and athletic activities; campus police/policing; MANY food choices. There is definitely not a need or reason for FROSH (freshmen) to leave campus.

    We love the university is DIVERSE ethnically, academically and socially. SJSU is centrally located in the heart of San Jose. It's surrounded by a lot of great culture and beautiful old architecture.
    Read 3,670 Reviews

    • B-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 53% Acceptance Rate
    • $13,777 Net Price
    • 920-1150 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  17. Cogswell Polytechnical College

    • 4 Year
    • San Jose, CA
    • 95

    Sophomore: The professors are excellent at teaching the materials and are very willing to help. All the school work is manageable as long as you cut your day job down to four days maximum. You won't have time for both if you work five days or more.

    The school is right by a landfill, so walking or driving to school with the windows down is a bit of a pain. Almost all of the people I've spoken to are indoors-type people and are hardcore into anime, games, and movies. You'll be left out of a conversation often if you're not in the loop.

    The options for food are limited down to a food truck, vending machines, and a coffee machine. For this reason, people end up bringing their own cooked foods. There is a convenient refrigerator to store your goodies in so there aren't any worries. Food thieves don't exist in the school as far as I know.

    The school's academics - Great! The campus and people - It's manageable...
    Read 95 Reviews

    • B-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 83% Acceptance Rate
    • $23,304 Net Price
    • — SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  18. California State University - East Bay

    • 4 Year
    • Hayward, CA
    • 1,672

    Senior: I actually love it here! Campus offers free shuttles to the BART station so you can get to surrounding cities pretty fast and cheap: San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, etc. There are a lot of events put on by the school so it's super diverse. The cafeteria could definitely use an upgrade, it isn't as good as the UC schools but it's edible.
    Read 1,672 Reviews

    • B-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 70% Acceptance Rate
    • $10,758 Net Price
    • 800-1020 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  19. San Francisco State University

    • 4 Year
    • San Francisco, CA
    • 3,158

    Junior: I transferred to San Francisco State University from my junior college, and I've enjoyed every moment. Besides getting into the top school on my list, I've made many connections with my peers and professors. The campus is very accepting and full of people from all over the world. The environment is great and the bay area has so much to offer. The shuttle service for this commuter school could be updated, but I'm truly enjoying every moment on this campus!
    Read 3,158 Reviews

    • B-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 68% Acceptance Rate
    • $13,250 Net Price
    • 860-1090 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  20. Academy of Art University

    • 4 Year
    • San Francisco, CA
    • 2,199

    Freshman: I am currently attending this school and I love it! I am an online student and full time employee. The system for online is simple to use and very helpful. It guides me to my assignments, but also assist with research and websites for outside assistance. My Professors have been amazing taking the time to actually assist me or directing me to the OWL's. The OWL"s assist like an online tutor answering any questions or corrections for those not asked. I am comfortable with AAU.
    Read 2,199 Reviews

    • B-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 100% Acceptance Rate
    • $29,301 Net Price
    • — SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  21. Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts

    • 4 Year
    • San Mateo, CA
    • 89

    College Junior: I really love my school! It is extremely organized and all the staff there genuinely cares about the success of their students. It is a small school so a lot of personal connections are made as well as hands on learning!
    Read 89 Reviews

    • B-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 100% Acceptance Rate
    • $23,882 Net Price
    • — SAT Range
    Will You Get In?
  22. Sponsored

    University of San Francisco

    • 4 Year
    • San Francisco, CA
    • 2,009

    Junior: So far in my time at the University of San Francisco, I have been blown away by the professors. They are all passionate, smart, experts in their fields, and although some styles of teaching may clash I have never felt afraid to go and ask a professor for help. The small class sizes definitely help the close atmosphere one can develop with professors. The number of extracurriculars you can apply yourself to are also amazing. There's a club for everything. And I will plug a little about the theater group the College Players as I am a part of that! We have the second oldest student-run college theater group in the USA, second only to Harvard. How cool is that!
    What could be improved is the cafeteria food. It's rather expensive, and not all that good for what you pay for.
    Read 2,009 Reviews

    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 71% Acceptance Rate
    • $35,054 Net Price
    • 1030-1250 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  23. California College of the Arts

    • 4 Year
    • San Francisco, CA
    • 349

    Sophomore: I study an undergraduate in Animation and going into my sophomore year. Although CCA has great teachers from Pixar, the teachers don't really seem to help you unless you ask for help. There are many great resources, and you can definitely learn more than you could ask for in multiple disciplines! Lately, CCA has opened new VR classes for animation and have a new professor who is the author of Force: Dynamic Life Drawings. Individually, you WILL spend a lot of money for his classes, and with a little asking around you'll find what is worth your money. The exchange program offers you to go around anywhere in the States, but you also have the opportunity to go overseas! CCA has a lot of great programs to take you on trips, you get to improve a lot.
    Read 349 Reviews

    • B-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 65% Acceptance Rate
    • $38,276 Net Price
    • — SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  24. Notre Dame de Namur University

    • 4 Year
    • Belmont, CA
    • 466

    Graduate Student: I couldn't be happier with this school. It has exceeded all of my expectations. The professors are inspiring, my classmates and future colleagues are very knowledgeable, the campus is small and easy to get around. I am in a Clinical Psychology program with an emphasis in Marriage Family Therapy and everyone in the program has been absolutely kind, compassionate, and hard working. The only thing I have experienced that has been a little bit of a downfall has been the poor wifi connection and the buildings are outdated. Other than that I wouldn't change my decision to attend Notre Dame De Namur.
    Read 466 Reviews

    • C+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 97% Acceptance Rate
    • $28,873 Net Price
    • 800-1018 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  25. Skyline College - San Bruno

    • 4 Year
    • San Bruno, CA
    • 395

    Freshman: Skyline College is a great place for those to earn credit in a very relaxed and accepting environment. The stress-free vibes of the school really promote a comfortable learning space for people to express their beliefs and opinions without fear of judgement. With views overlooking the ocean that are hard to beat, Skyline also has multiple little hiking/walking trails for when you need a break from the college scene. It's also fun to take your dog up there as well! The professors at Skyline really care about the well-being of the students and aim to grow them both academically and emotionally. The food at the SkyCafe is well-above most cafeteria food and the employees are really sweet.
    Read 395 Reviews

    • C+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 100% Acceptance Rate
    • $4,251 Net Price
    • — SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  26. The Art Institute of California - San Francisco

    • 4 Year
    • San Francisco, CA
    • 101

    College Sophomore: I really feel as if I can thrive as a person. The teachers truely care about our learning and take their time when explaining things. I love that everyone including upper class man and incoming freshmen have equal opportunities. No one is singeled out and you can really focus because the school is mainly a hands on learning place.
    Read 101 Reviews

    • C
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 100% Acceptance Rate
    • $22,560 Net Price
    • — SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  27. Unitek College

    • 4 Year
    • Fremont, CA
    • 126

    College Senior: It's teaching staff is excellent! The rotation of teachers gives me a great experience with many great RN's and serves as an inspiration for me to obtain that level of education for my career. The office administration is very persistent when it comes to tuition, and since it it a private school the cost is the hardest thing to keep up with in the entire program
    Read 126 Reviews

    • B+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 100% Acceptance Rate
    • $42,096 Net Price
    • — SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  30. San Francisco Conservatory of Music

    • 4 Year
    • San Francisco, CA
    • 68

    Junior: I absolutely love the conservatory. I study Violin with Professor Wei He, and am very happy in his studio. My peers at the conservatory are extremely driven and this is, as any college experience should be, a very inspiring environment. Some of the academic coursework can be really challenging. Western Civ (required for all undergrads) is one of the best classes. Professor Hohmann will turn you into an intelligent human being as long as you put in your best effort. Be warned though, this course will take more time than you have, and you will have to sacrifice a lot of your sanity in order to keep up with all the assignments.
    I think the administration should avoid scheduling students in western civ and Music History at the same time. I also think they should reformat the scheduling for concert cycles so that you are able to participate in ensembles without dying of sleep deprivation.
    Read 68 Reviews

    • B+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 42% Acceptance Rate
    • $37,663 Net Price
    • — SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  31. San Francisco Art Institute

    • 4 Year
    • San Francisco, CA
    • 150

    Freshman: Definitely wouldn't recommend for younger first-year students, being that there's a lot of responsibility and maturity you're taking on. I enjoyed smaller class sizes, was less than 10 students for some of my own. This offers more time for discussions and one on ones with the teacher. Personally, I would've liked to see greater diversity among SFAI's student body! This school is easily one of the most relaxed academic settings I've been in. Faculty at SFAI stress the importance of healthy mental and emotional health and does a great job promoting their resources for students.
    Read 150 Reviews

    • C+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 93% Acceptance Rate
    • $47,236 Net Price
    • 930-1160 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  32. Expression College for Digital Arts

    • 4 Year
    • Emeryville, CA
    • 127

    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 127 Reviews

    • C
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 100% Acceptance Rate
    • $26,969 Net Price
    • — SAT Range
    Will You Get In?
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