What colleges are in or near Palo Alto?

Palo Alto University (private university, in Palo Alto); Stanford University (private university, 2 miles away); Foothill College (public college, 5 miles away); De Anza College (community college, 9 miles away); Chabot College (community college, 15 miles away); Canada College (community college, 7 miles away); Mission College (community college, 9 miles away); Unitek College (private college, 11 miles away); Santa Clara University (private university, 12 miles away); College of San Mateo (community college, 13 miles away); West Valley College (community college, 14 miles away); San Jose City College (community college, 14 miles away); Ohlone College (community college, 14 miles away); Menlo College (private college, 3 miles away); Alder Graduate School of Education (private college, 7 miles away); Notre Dame de Namur University (private university, 10 miles away); University of Silicon Andhra (private university, 12 miles away); San Francisco Bay University (private university, 12 miles away); Life Chiropractic College West (private college, 15 miles away).

Which college near Palo Alto has the highest earnings after graduation?

Stanford University ($124,080), based on U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard figures. Median earnings ten years after starting.

Which college near Palo Alto is the best value?

Canada College (1565.2× net price), based on U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard figures. Median earnings per dollar of the average yearly net price.

What is the most affordable college near Palo Alto?

Canada College ($32), based on U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard figures. Average yearly net price after grants and scholarships.

Where can students study in Palo Alto?

Local cafés to explore include Cafe Pro Bono, Sprout Cafe, City Hall Cafe, Joanie's Cafe.

College & student life

College guide to Palo Alto

Palo Alto college guide: Palo Alto University, Stanford University, Foothill College and more, with rankings, campus events, game days and study spots.

Find your campus Events this week

Colleges near Palo Alto

Pick a campus for its live schedule, game days and the best spots nearby.

PAUIn Palo Alto

Private university · Since 1975Palo Alto University1,000–4,999 students

Stanford Campus Building, Stanford University

2 mi away

Private university · Since 1885Stanford University10,000–19,999 students$13,807 net price · 92% graduate

5 mi away

Public college · Since 1957Foothill College10,000–19,999 students$7,653 net price · 56% graduate

DAC9 mi away

Community college · Since 1967De Anza College10,000–19,999 students$6,642 net price · 68% graduate

15 mi away

Community college · Since 1961Chabot College10,000–19,999 students$9,053 net price · 47% graduate

CC7 mi away

Community college · Since 1968Canada College5,000–9,999 students$32 net price · 47% graduate

9 mi away

Community college · Since 1975Mission College5,000–9,999 students$5,080 net price · 39% graduate

UC11 mi away

Private collegeUnitek College5,000–9,999 students$25,179 net price · 73% graduate

12 mi away

Private university · Since 1851Santa Clara University5,000–9,999 students$50,062 net price · 88% graduate

13 mi away

Community college · Since 1922College of San Mateo5,000–9,999 students$536 net price · 61% graduate

WVC14 mi away

Community college · Since 1963West Valley College5,000–9,999 students$3,423 net price · 51% graduate

Jaguar Stadium, San Jose City College stadium

14 mi away

Community college · Since 1921San Jose City College5,000–9,999 students$16,959 net price · 34% graduate

OC14 mi away

Community college · Since 1965Ohlone College5,000–9,999 students$11,130 net price · 52% graduate

MC3 mi away

Private college · Since 1927Menlo CollegeUnder 1,000 students$31,100 net price · 54% graduate

AGS7 mi away

Private collegeAlder Graduate School of EducationUnder 1,000 students

William C. Ralston House, College of Notre Dame campus, Belmont, CA 9-5-2011 3-51-45 PM, Notre Dame de Namur University

10 mi away

Private university · Since 1851Notre Dame de Namur UniversityUnder 1,000 students7% graduate

USA12 mi away

Private universityUniversity of Silicon AndhraUnder 1,000 students

SFBU Main Building, San Francisco Bay University

12 mi away

Private university · Since 1984San Francisco Bay UniversityUnder 1,000 students

LCC15 mi away

Private college · Since 1976Life Chiropractic College WestUnder 1,000 students

College list from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS directory (NCES).

Campus in pictures near Palo Alto

Quads, libraries, stadiums and halls at the colleges in this guide. Tap a photo for the college page.

Stanford University

Chabot College

Mission College

Santa Clara University

College of San Mateo

Notre Dame de Namur University

Stanford University

Chabot College

Santa Clara University

How colleges near Palo Alto compare

Ranked on official College Scorecard figures: what graduates earn, what students pay after aid, and how many finish.

Highest earnings after college

Median earnings ten years after starting.

Best value

Median earnings per dollar of the average yearly net price.

1Canada College1565.2× net price
2College of San Mateo101.1× net price
3West Valley College15.1× net price
4Mission College10.0× net price
5Stanford University9.0× net price

Most affordable

Average yearly net price after grants and scholarships.

Highest graduation rates

Share of full-time students who finish within 150% of normal time.

Most selective

Lowest admission rates.

1Stanford University4% admitted
2Santa Clara University48% admitted
3Menlo College69% admitted
4San Francisco Bay University96% admitted

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. A college appears in a list only when the Department reports that figure for it; graduation rates compare four-year colleges.

Compare colleges near Palo Alto side by side

Size, cost after aid, graduation and earnings for every college in this guide. Tap a column to sort.

College
Palo Alto UniversityPrivate university	In town	14	–	–	–	$83,187
Stanford UniversityPrivate university	2 mi	7,554	$13,807	4%	92%	$124,080
Foothill CollegePublic college	5 mi	11,137	$7,653	Open	56%	$57,072
De Anza CollegeCommunity college	9 mi	15,264	$6,642	Open	68%	$56,596
Chabot CollegeCommunity college	15 mi	11,392	$9,053	Open	47%	$48,143
Canada CollegeCommunity college	7 mi	5,175	$32	Open	47%	$50,087
Mission CollegeCommunity college	9 mi	5,784	$5,080	Open	39%	$50,936
Unitek CollegePrivate college	11 mi	4,972	$25,179	Open	73%	$79,550
Santa Clara UniversityPrivate university	12 mi	6,552	$50,062	48%	88%	$109,183
College of San MateoCommunity college	13 mi	7,977	$536	Open	61%	$54,172
West Valley CollegeCommunity college	14 mi	6,416	$3,423	Open	51%	$51,688
San Jose City CollegeCommunity college	14 mi	7,105	$16,959	Open	34%	$46,215
Ohlone CollegeCommunity college	14 mi	7,099	$11,130	Open	52%	$54,278
Menlo CollegePrivate college	3 mi	752	$31,100	69%	54%	$76,419
Alder Graduate School of EducationPrivate college	7 mi	–	–	–	–	–
Notre Dame de Namur UniversityPrivate university	10 mi	33	–	–	7%	$74,576
San Francisco Bay UniversityPrivate university	12 mi	126	–	96%	–	–
Life Chiropractic College WestPrivate college	15 mi	–	–	–	–	–

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. A dash means the Department doesn't report that figure for the college.

Coffee and study spots

Local cafés and tea rooms for long afternoons with a laptop.

All places to eat

Open late

Kitchens and bars serving past 10 p.m.

Evvia Estiatorio, restaurant in Palo Alto

More to do in Palo Alto

Concerts, markets, free events and game days, updated every day.

Events calendar →Gyms & studios →Arts & culture →