HIGHER EDUCATION
Colleges, Universities, And Vocational Schools
Over 40 colleges and universities are within easy reach of Solano residents. You will find top-ranked universities mixed with lesser-known, equally dynamic, local institutions that are focused on careers.
FEATURED SCHOOLS
Touro University California
Location: Vallejo, CA
Programs: Osteopathic Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing, Public Health
Visit Touro University
Cal Maritime
Location: Vallejo, CA
Employment Rate: 92-94% within 3 months of graduation
Visit Cal Maritime
Solano Community College
Location: Fairfield, Vacaville, Vallejo, Travis AFB
Degrees: Associate’s, Certificates, BS in Biomanufacturing
Visit Solano College
UC Davis
Location: Adjacent to Solano County
Focus: Food & Agriculture, Health, Science, Business
Visit UC Davis
UC Berkeley
Location: 22 miles south of Solano County
Specialties: Engineering, Business, Sciences
Visit UC BerkeleyUNIVERSITIES & COLLEGES
California’s Education System – An Overview. California’s 3-tiered system of higher education sets the benchmark in the U.S. for preparing an educated workforce at a reasonable cost.
University of California (UC)
The most competitive system, targeting the top 12.5% of graduating California high school students. These top-ranked research institutions offer bachelor’s through doctorate degrees.
UC Davis and UC Berkeley are the two campuses closest to Solano.
California State University (CSU)
Targets the top 33% of California’s high school graduates, offering bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Employers seek out CSU grads for their practical know-how in many technical fields.
The Maritime Academy in Vallejo belongs to the CSU system, and there are four additional CSU campuses within a 50-mile radius.
California Community Colleges
The most financially accessible. They offer mostly 2-year associate degrees and vocational certificates to career-minded individuals, as well as college-transfer courses.
Solano Community College was recently selected for a pilot bachelor’s degree program, as well.
The list below shows the wide breadth of colleges — both public and private — within easy reach of Solano.
Distances are from the county seat (Fairfield) and may be closer, depending on your location.
Higher Education Options
| Institution | Location | Distance | Public/Private |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brandman University | Fairfield | 7.9 mi | Private |
| California State University, East Bay | Hayward | 39 mi | Public |
| California State University, Maritime Academy | Vallejo | 11 mi | Public |
| California State University, Sacramento | Sacramento | 46 mi | Public |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael | 26 mi | Private |
| Golden Gate University | San Francisco | 33 mi | Private |
| Holy Names University | Oakland | 45.9 mi | Private |
| Lincoln University | Oakland | 41.4 mi | Private |
| San Francisco State University | San Francisco | 53.6 mi | Public |
| University of California, Berkeley | Berkeley | 37.7 mi | Public |
| University of California, Davis | Davis | 27.4 mi | Public |
| University of San Francisco | San Francisco | 48.9 mi | Private |
| University of the Pacific | Stockton | 50.8 mi | Private |
| Institution | Location | Distance | Public/Private |
|---|---|---|---|
| American River College | Sacramento | 52.6 mi | Public |
| Berkeley City College | Berkeley | 37.5 mi | Public |
| Carrington College – Citrus Heights | Citrus Heights | 50 mi | Private |
| Carrington College – Pleasant Hill | Pleasant Hill | 27 mi | Private |
| Chabot College | Hayward | 57.8 mi | Public |
| City College of San Francisco | San Francisco | 51.7 mi | Public |
| College of Alameda | Alameda | 43.6 mi | Public |
| Cosumnes River College | Sacramento | 53.4 mi | Public |
| Diablo Valley College | Pleasant Hill | 26.2 mi | Public |
| Folsom Lake College | Folsom | 50.7 mi | Public |
| Laney College | Oakland | 43 mi | Public |
| Las Positas College | Livermore | 58 mi | Public |
| Los Medanos College | Pittsburg | 36.5 mi | Public |
| Merritt College | Oakland | 46.5 mi | Public |
| Napa Valley College | Napa | 16.9 mi | Public |
| Sacramento City College | Sacramento | 45.3 mi | Public |
| San Joaquin Delta College | Stockton | 55.1 mi | Public |
| Santa Rosa Junior College | Santa Rosa | 58.2 mi | Public |
| Solano Community College | Fairfield | 5 mi | Public |
| Woodland Community College | Woodland | 37.5 mi | Public |
| Yuba College | Marysville | 64.2 mi | Public |
| Institution | Location | Programs |
|---|---|---|
| Asher College | Sacramento | Business Management, Computer and Information Sciences, Health Professions |
| Aviation Institute of Maintenance | Oakland | Airframe Mechanics & Aircraft Maintenance Technology |
| Bay Area Medical Academy | San Francisco | Health-Related Programs, Pharmacy Technician |
| Blake Austin College | Vacaville | Health Professions, Personal and Culinary Services |
| Brightwood College | Sacramento | Health Professions, Homeland Security, Firefighting |
| California Apprenticeship Coordinators Association | Fairfield | Construction Trades, HVAC Systems, Sheet Metal Products |
| Carpenters Training Committee for Northern California | Fairfield | Carpentry, Scaffold Erectors, Hardwood Floor Layers |
| Field Ironworkers Apprenticeship & Training Program | Benicia | Steel Reinforcing, Window Wall Erection |
| Heald College | Concord | Accounting, Criminal Justice, Medical Assisting |
| Institute of Technology | Modesto | Vocational Nursing, Medical Billing, Criminal Justice |
| Intercoast Colleges | Fairfield | Electrical Training, Medical Assisting |
| International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers JATC | Martinez | Electrical Apprenticeships |
| Lincoln Tech | Fremont | Diesel Mechanics, Welding Technology |
| National Career Education | Rancho Cordova | Medical Assisting, HVAC |
| NHI College | Emeryville | Massage Therapy, Holistic Health |
| North Bay Construction Corps | Santa Rosa | Construction Technology |
| North State Building Industry Foundation | Roseville | Construction, Skilled Trades |
| Paul Mitchell The School | San Jose | Cosmetology |
| Sacramento Valley Sheet Metal Workers | Vacaville | Sheet Metal Apprenticeships |
| San Francisco Baking Institute | South San Francisco | Baking and Pastry Arts |
| Solano College SBDC | Fairfield | Financial Analysis, Budgeting, Hospitality Management |
| Solano-Napa Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee | Napa | Apprenticeships, Electrical Training |
| Unitek College | Hayward | LVN to RN, Medical Assisting, Pharmacy Technician |
| University of Phoenix | Fairfield | Business and Management, Nursing, Education |
| Xavier College of Nursing | Stockton | Vocational Nursing, Healthcare Training |
| WestMed College | San Jose | Medical Assisting, EMT Training |
| Western Career College | Sacramento | Veterinary Technology, Dental Assisting |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, 2021 School Data; Distance is from Fairfield, County Seat, May 2021
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, 2015 School Data, Distance is from Fairfield, County Seat, July 2016
*Includes online students not enrolled on campus; **Includes 1 yr & 2 yr certificates which cross over a 2-year period
