There are more than 20 Colleges and Universities in Orange County. From Major universities like Chapman University, University of California Irvine and California Statue University Fullerton, to smaller private specialty colleges like Concordia, Interior Designers Institute and Laguna College of Art & Design. Whatever career path you choose to pursue, Orange County has options available to help you meet your educational goals. Many colleges and universities now offer flexible class times, online courses, and hybrid courses to make education more accessible to working students.
Find the lists of Orange County Community Colleges and Law Schools.
4-year & Graduate Public Universities & Colleges in Orange County
California State University Fullerton
800 N. State College Blvd., Fullerton, CA 92831
Cal Statue University Fullerton is one of the largest universities in Orange County. They offer 109 degree programs with 55 undergraduate and 54 graduate programs, campus housing, a variety of college athletics programs, and an on-campus arboretum. Fullerton has eight colleges: Arts, Business & Economics, Communications, Education, Engineering & Computer Science, Health & Human Development, Humanities & Social Sciences, and Natural Sciences & Mathematics.
University of California Irvine
The University of California, Irvine is ranked as the number seven public university in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report. UCI was also ranked the #1 university doing the most for the American Dream in the New York Times College Access Index. There are over 31,000 students and the college offers 92 majors and 86 minors, and a successful student athletics program with 28 national titles. Students at UCI can pursue an education in a variety of areas including the arts, business, biological sciences, engineering, education, humanities, law, nursing, public health and more.
University of Phoenix – La Palma Campus
6 Centerpointe Drive, La Palma, CA 90623
At the University of Phoenix you can choose from a wide variety of college courses, certificates or short professional development courses designed to keep you learning. University of Phoenix is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and offers online degrees & courses aligned to 300+ occupations.
4-year & Graduate Private Universities & Colleges in Orange County
Anaheim University
1240 S. State College Blvd, Anaheim, CA 92806
Anaheim University specializes in TESOL programs (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). The primary schools and degree programs available at Anaheim University include Education, Entertainment, Film, Entrepreneurship, Sustainability, and Business. Anaheim University offers accredited online degree and certificate programs.
Brandman University (Now University of Massachusetts Global)
16355 Laguna Canyon Road, Irvine, CA 92618
Brandman University, now University of Massachusetts Global, originally opened in 1958 on the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station as an extension of Chapman University to provide educational access to military students. Today, the university offers flexible programming in a variety of areas and is an ideal college for military personnel and working students. Students can earn Bachelor’s Degrees, Master’s Degrees, Doctoral Degrees, Associate Degrees, Certificates and Courses, Credentials and Authorizations. The Academic areas of focus include arts and sciences, business and professional studies, education, nursing and health professions, and extended education. Brandman offers on campus and online courses.
California Coast University
925 N. Spurgeon Street, Santa Ana, CA 92701
California Coast University is a private for-profit university in Orange County that specializes in online degrees and certificate programs. Students at California Coast University can pursue an education in criminal justice, psychology, general studies, health care administration, business administration, marketing, business management, and education.
California Southern University Costa Mesa
600 Anton Blvd., Suite 1100 Costa Mesa, CA 92626
California Southern University is a regionally accredited college that offers online certificate and degree programs. The university specializes in degree programs for behavioral sciences, business, criminal justice, law, nursing, and education. California Southern University offers flexible scheduling and flexible payment plans to make it easier for working students and military professionals to advance their education.
Chapman University
1 University Dr., Orange, CA 92866
Chapman University is an exceptional college located in Orange, California. The school ranks in the top 15% of all American colleges and universities and was named one of the two most innovative universities in the west by U.S. News & World Report. The college serves over 8,000 students and offers undergraduate and graduate programs in a variety of areas including the arts, business, communication, education, engineering, film, health and behavioral sciences, law, performing arts, pharmacy, and science and technology.
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Concordia University Irvine
Main Campus: 1530 Concordia West, Irvine, CA 92612
Nursing Park Place Campus: 3337 Michelson, Ste. 650, Irvine, CA 92612
Concordia University in Irvine is a private Christian college with undergraduate and graduate programs in a variety of fields. The college has been recognized as a Top Tier Regional University by U.S. News. Students can pursue a variety of educational programs including theological studies, nursing, arts and sciences, business, education, and professional studies. Concordia offers traditional classes as well as a variety of online degree and certificate programs.
Hope International University
2500 E. Nutwood Avenue, Fullerton, CA 92831
Hope International University is a private Christian university. They are a regionally accredited university offering bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, certificate programs, and credential programs. They have two campus locations in Orange County. The main campus in Fullerton serves the undergraduate residential programs, and the Anaheim campus serves online and graduate students. Hope international offers educational programs for Biblical Studies, business, criminal justice, education, English literature, church ministry, psychology, music, and more.
Interior Designers Institute Newport Beach
1061 Camelback Street, Newport Beach, Ca 92660
Interior Designers Institute in Newport Beach, California is a private boutique college that specializes in education for students pursuing careers in interior design and interior architecture. The college offers certificate programs as well as associates, bachelors, and masters degrees. The award-winning Interior Designers Institute offers small class sizes and day and evening programs to accommodate different schedules.
Laguna College of Art and Design
2222 Laguna Canyon Rd., Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Laguna College of Art and Design began in 1961 at the Laguna Beach School of Art. The school offers ten undergraduate majors, three graduate degree programs, eight minors, and a Post-Baccalaureate program and serves more than 600 full time students. Students can pursue coursework in animation, extended reality design, game art, creative writing, drawing and painting, graphic design, illustration and more.
Marshall B. Ketchum University
2575 Yorba Linda Blvd., Fullerton, CA 92831
Marshall B. Ketchum University is a private, independent university specializing in education for healthcare fields. Their primary areas of focus are on programs for physicians assistants, optometry, and pharmacy careers. Students at Ketchum can work their way through the program for The Southern California College of Optometry to earn a Doctor of Optometry and a Master of Science in Vision Science degree. Another option is to attend The School of PA Studies to receive a Master of Medical Science degree. The College of Pharmacy award students who complete the program a Doctor of Pharmacy degree.
National University
3390 Harbor Boulevard, Costa Mesa, CA 92626-1502
National University is a Veteran founded, nonprofit university with over 100 degree programs. They have 28 campus locations, including Costa Mesa, in Orange County, California and they also offer online programs. National University offers Associates, Bachelors, and Masters degrees as well as certificates and credentials. Students can pursue an education in a variety of areas including teaching and education, business and marketing, healthcare and nursing, social sciences and psychology, engineering and technology, criminal justice and law, arts and humanities, and science and math.
Pacific College
3160 Red Hill Ave, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Pacific College is an accredited private college specializing in education for students pursuing careers in healthcare. They offer a variety of on-campus and online programs. Students can complete coursework for degrees and programs including vocational nursing, life sciences, nursing, RN to BSN completion, general education, and healthcare administration, and family nurse practitioner.
Pepperdine Graduate Campus at Irvine
Lakeshore Towers III, 18111 Von Karman Avenue, Irvine, CA 92612
The Pepperdine Graduate Campus in Irvine is a satellite campus for Pepperdine, a Christian private college. The main campus is located in Malibu, California. The Irvine Graduate campus is home to the Graduate School of Education and Psychology and the Graziadio Business School. Students located in Orange County who are working students can pursue a graduate degree at this campus in business, education, or psychology.
Soka University of America
1 University Drive, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
Soka University is a private liberal arts college and graduate school located in Aliso Viejo. It has been ranked in the top 25 liberal arts colleges in the United States and included in the Top 15 Best Value Colleges by US News & World Report’s “Best Colleges 2019.” They have small class sizes and study abroad opportunities included in tuition fees. Soka University offers undergraduate programs with concentrations in Environmental Studies, Humanities, International Studies, Social and Behavioral Sciences, and coming in 2020, Life Sciences. They offer a Masters program in Educational Leadership and Societal Change.
Trident University
5757 Plaza Drive, Suite 100, Cypress, CA 90630
Trident University is a regionally accredited college that offers certificates and degrees that can be earned entirely online. They offer low tuition costs and work closely with the military community. Students at Trident University can earn certificates, associate degrees, bachelors degrees, masters degrees, and doctoral degrees in a variety of fields. Some areas of concentration include business, computer science, health science, homeland security, human resource management, IT management, leadership, and more.
USC Orange County Center
2300 Michelson Drive, Irvine, CA 92612
USC Orange County Center is a satellite campus for USC to provide Orange County working professionals access to educational programs in a convenient location with flexible course schedules. The USC Orange County Center is limited to programs for students pursuing degrees in business, education, and social work. Students can earn graduate degrees in business and social work, or a doctoral degree in education. Students focusing on business at the OCC can specialize in marketing, management and organization, business communication, and more. The USC Orange County Center is a convenient location for Orange County residents to earn their degree from a distinguished University.
University of La Verne – Irvine Campus
2855 Michelle Dr #250, Irvine, CA 92606
The University of La Verne’s Irvine Campus expands educational opportunities into Orange County. The campus features five classrooms, a computer lab, three seminar rooms, and administrative offices. A dozen undergraduate and graduate degrees are offered here, from accounting to health administration. The Irvine Campus offers flexible schedules that allow you to work full time as you complete your coursework, usually one to two classes per session. Both undergraduate and graduates programs are offered.
The University of Redlands Orange County campus
Vanguard University
55 Fair Dr, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Vanguard University is a private Christian university of liberal arts and professional studies. Vanguard offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional studies programs in a variety of areas including kinesiology, business, psychology, communication, early childhood education, nursing, religion and more.
Unique & Specialized Schools & Colleges
CNI College
1610 E Saint Andrew Place, Ste 200, Santa Ana, CA 92705
CNI College in Santa Ana, California began as a post-secondary vocational education center specializing in healthcare fields. Students can pursue a variety of career paths at CNI including nursing, surgical technology, MRI technologist, and medical assisting.
South Coast College
2011 W. Chapman Avenue, Orange, CA 92868
South Coast College is a career education specialty school that focuses on legal and medical professions. South Coast College is an accredited school with small class sizes and flexible class schedules. Students at South Coast College can pursue programs in court reporting, paralegal, and medical assisting.
Stanbridge University
2041 Business Center Dr. Irvine, CA 92612
Stanbridge University is a professional career college that specializes in nursing and allied health. Students at Stanbridge University at the Irvine campus can pursue diplomas and degree programs in vocational nursing, Associate of Science – Nursing, Associate of Occupational Science – OTA, Associate of Science – PTA, Associate of Science – Veterinary Technology, and Master of Science – Occupational Therapy. Stanbridge offers online degree programs for Master of Science – Nursing and Master of Science – Occupational Therapy.
Find the lists of Orange County Community Colleges and Law Schools.
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