Irvine doesn’t fit the mold of most SoCal cities, especially for those looking for a college surrounded by beaches and a bustling entertainment district. However, nothing is too far when you’re only 40 miles from Los Angeles, and there are, indeed, several options for higher education in this industrial Orange County city.
Irvine does have a more neighborhood feel than some of its SoCal counterparts and is considered very safe and family-friendly. For college students looking to attend school in a locale with a lot of job opportunities after graduation, Irvine is a great choice. Here’s what else it has to offer college students.
Universities in Irvine – 4-Year Colleges and Online
Though certainly not a typical college town, the area around Irvine’s largest campus, the University of California at Irvine, does offer students a lot of space to find solitude and enjoy the year-round nice weather.
The other 4-year colleges in Irvine are Brandman University, California Intercontinental University, Concordia, Stanbridge University, and Westcliff University.
Community Colleges in Irvine, CA
With so many 4-year colleges in a relatively small area, there’s only room for one Community college in Irvine, Irvine Valley College, which offers certificates and associate’s degrees.
Get to Know Irvine, CA
Irvine itself is more of a family town, but during busy weeks at school, the relaxed feel is exactly what many students like about Irvine. When students want to get out of the study cycle, Los Angeles’ booming entertainment scene is reachable to the north via public transportation, and Orange County’s renowned beach life is just a short drive away.
| Institution Name | City | State | Website | Degree Levels Offered | Modality | Profit Status (CNTLAFFI) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandman University | Irvine | CA | www.brandman.edu | Certificates Associates Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Online | No |
| California Intercontinental University | Irvine | CA | www.caluniversity.edu | Associates Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Online | No |
| Concordia University-Irvine | Irvine | CA | www.cui.edu | Associates Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Campus | No |
| Irvine Valley College | Irvine | CA | www.ivc.edu | Certificates Associates |
Campus | No |
| Stanbridge University | Irvine | CA | www.stanbridge.edu | Certificates Associates Bachelors Masters |
Hybrid | No |
| The Chicago School of Professional Psychology at Irvine | Irvine | CA | www.thechicagoschool.edu | Masters Doctorate |
Campus | No |
| University of California-Irvine | Irvine | CA | www.uci.edu | Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Campus | No |
| Westcliff University | Irvine | CA | www.westcliff.edu | Certificates Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Online | No |