Top 10 Best Universities and Colleges in San Jose, USA

Silicon Valley University is a top private university located in San Jose, California, in the heart of Silicon Valley. Founded in 1887 as Cogswell Engineering School and later renamed Cogswell Polytechnic College, it was the first technical school on the West Coast and one of only two private universities, alongside Stanford University, to be granted tax-exempt status under the California Constitution. The university offers a range of programs focused on digital media and engineering, with specialized courses in digital animation, sound production, music, and video game design.

Silicon Valley University awards Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Arts and Sciences, with a strong emphasis on digital animation, video game design, and sound & music production. Its computer graphics program is the longest-running in the Bay Area, and includes Project X, an exclusive film production course for invited students that mimics an industry internship experience, as well as MediaWorks, a hands-on production and multimedia course offered since 2013. According to College Scorecard, the university boasts an 8-year graduation rate of 42%. In 2021, the average salary of its graduates was $61,619.

Website: https://usv.edu/

International Technological University (ITU) is one of the top private universities in the San Jose area, established in 1994 by Professor Shu-Park Chan, a former faculty member and department head at Santa Clara University's School of Engineering. The university offers a comprehensive structure with six departments at both undergraduate and graduate levels. ITU is home to a multi-disciplinary research center and laboratories focusing on artificial intelligence, bioelectronics, digital arts, Kryterion testing, Pearson VUE certification testing centers, and collaborative labs with Stanford University and Peking University.

International Technological University offers various master's degree programs, three doctoral programs, and four certificate programs. Its North San Jose campus features a 300-seat lecture hall, a gym, a yoga studio, research labs, and additional classrooms and faculty offices. ITU operates labs in fields such as IoT/Embedded Systems, AI/Robotics, Green Energy, and Bioelectronics, staffed by faculty and graduate students from the Electrical Engineering Department. The SAP Laboratory, run by the Business Administration Department, also serves as a regional SAP training center. ITU is a member of the SAP University Alliance Program.

Website: https://itu.edu/

Carrington College is a renowned network of private colleges in San Jose, although its main headquarters is located in Sacramento, California. Founded in 1967 to address the educational needs of the local healthcare community, Carrington College now serves over 5,200 students and has an alumni base of 132,000. The college offers career training in various fields, including healthcare, dental, veterinary, criminal justice, and industrial trade. Carrington College is owned by San Joaquin Valley College, Inc.

Carrington College campuses offer programs leading to Certificates of Achievement or Associate of Science degrees. The college focuses on post-secondary education and training that is employment-oriented, with a strong emphasis on the healthcare sector, including programs in medical research, dental, administrative, veterinary, and health services. Carrington College provides 26 programs across five major focus areas: medicine, health studies, dental, management, and veterinary sciences. Some of the offered programs include healthcare management, pharmaceutical technology, practical nursing, criminal justice: corrections, veterinary assistance, and dental assisting.

Website: https://carrington.edu/

Palmer College of Chiropractic is one of the leading private institutions for chiropractic education, with its main campus located in Davenport, Iowa, and a branch in San Jose. Founded in 1897 by Daniel David Palmer, it is considered the first chiropractic school in the world. Originally named Palmer School and Cure, it later became Palmer School of Chiropractic. Many of the earliest chiropractic schools were established by Palmer alumni.

Although not a full university system, Palmer College operates three campuses, with its main campus in Davenport, Iowa, and several branch locations. The college is a non-profit organization governed by a single Board of Trustees. Palmer College's Doctor of Chiropractic program is accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE). The college also runs a Community Access Clinic at all of its campuses, providing affordable or free care to economically and socially disadvantaged members of the community. The San Jose campus is scheduled to close in June 2025, following the decision made by the Board of Trustees in March 2022.

Website: https://www.palmer.edu/

The University of San Francisco (USF) is a private Jesuit university located in San Francisco, California. The University of San Francisco - San Jose Campus is one of the top institutions in San Jose. The main campus, spanning 55 acres (22 hectares), is nestled between the Golden Gate Bridge and Golden Gate Park, with the campus referred to as "The Hilltop". The campus is divided into two parts, with one section situated on Lone Mountain, a prominent landmark of San Francisco.

USF is ranked 103rd overall by US News & World Report, with rankings of 68th for "Best Colleges for Veterans" and 69th for "Best Value" in the National Universities category in 2020. According to College Factual's 2022 Best Colleges list, USF is ranked among the top 10% of all four-year colleges and universities nationwide. The university has over 40 international partnerships with institutions in countries such as Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, the Czech Republic, Chile, China, El Salvador, the UK, Finland, and more.

The San Jose campus of the University of San Francisco was established in 1980 and offers several graduate programs, including a Master’s in Information Systems, Master’s in Teaching with a Single or Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, Master’s in Counseling with a focus on Marriage and Family Therapy, and an RN-to-MSN Nurse Leader program.

Website: https://www.usfca.edu/

Henley-Putnam Strategic Security School, formerly known as Henley-Putnam University, is part of the National University system, a premier private online institution in San Jose. The school specializes in intelligence management, counterterrorism studies, and security management. Founded by Nirmalya Bhowmick, with co-founders Michael Corcoran and Sheldon Greaves, the institution is named in honor of intelligence officers from the American Revolutionary War, Colonel David Henley and General Israel Putnam.

The curriculum at Henley-Putnam includes over 150 courses, offering six undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as a doctoral program and certificates in seven core areas. The school focuses on fields such as protective management, counterterrorism, intelligence, and strategic security, with faculty members who have real-world experience in these fields. The faculty includes military, law enforcement, and counterterrorism experts, all bringing a focus on "real-world experience." At Henley-Putnam, students gain tactical insights and practical field operations knowledge from professionals who share their firsthand experiences.

Website: https://www.national.edu/

Santa Clara University, a private Jesuit university founded in 1851, is the oldest institution of higher education in California. The university's main campus is located in San Jose, surrounding the historic Mission Santa Clara de Asís, which was founded in 1777. The campus showcases a blend of Mission Revival architecture and other Spanish Colonial Revival styles, making it one of the most beautiful architectural collections of its kind. Over the past century and a half, the Santa Clara campus has expanded to more than 106 acres (43 hectares).

Santa Clara University offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees through six colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Education and Counseling Psychology, the Leavey School of Business, the School of Engineering, the Jesuit School of Theology, and the School of Law. In 2014, the university earned a Gold Rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. In 2015, it was ranked 19th in Princeton Review's “Top 50 Green Colleges” and was also highlighted in the Princeton Review Guide to 353 Green Colleges as one of the most environmentally responsible colleges in the U.S.

Website: https://www.scu.edu/

One of the best universities and colleges in San Jose, California, is San Jose State University. Established in 1857, San Jose State University is a prestigious institution located in San Jose, California. Its mission is to empower Silicon Valley. San Jose State offers 145 undergraduate programs and 108 graduate programs. With over 2,800 international students and a total student population of about 36,000, the university boasts a global network of over 300,000 alumni.

With more than 4,000 staff and faculty members across 9 colleges, and a vibrant student body of 30,000, San Jose State University has grown into a modern-day giant in education and research. The university has an acceptance rate of around 54%. San Jose State is built on a culture of inclusivity, focusing on diversity, inclusion, and equal educational opportunities.

San Jose State University is home to the John Steinbeck Center for Research, a comprehensive nuclear science program, and partnerships with NASA's Ames Research Center. It ranks in the top 16 among "Western Regional Universities" according to the US News & World Report Best Colleges. It is also ranked 22nd for "Best Value Colleges" by the same publication.

Website: https://www.sjsu.edu/

Recognized as one of the best colleges in San Jose, San Jose City College is a public community college located in San Jose, California. Founded in 1921, SJCC is situated in the Fruitdale neighborhood of western San Jose. It is one of the oldest colleges in the California Community College System.

The campus features several key facilities, including the César E. Chávez Library, Science Complex, Student Center, Carmen Castellano Arts Center, and Technology Center, among others. The César E. Chávez Library houses a state-of-the-art electronic research lab with 30 personal computers, interactive whiteboards, and various educational software. Its collection includes approximately 63,000 books and 200 periodicals.

In addition, the college’s library database provides access to thousands of periodicals for students both on and off-campus. The Carmen Castellano Arts Center includes an art gallery and performance space, as well as classrooms for related departments. San Jose City College is where notable alumni such as National Book Award-winning author Amy Tan, Olympic gold medalist Ato Boldon, and New Hampshire House of Representatives member Bob Mead studied.

Website: https://www.sjcc.edu/

One of the best colleges in San Jose, California, is Evergreen College. Known for its focus on liberal arts and sciences, Evergreen College was established in 1971. Located in the Pacific Northwest, the college offers a collaborative, hands-on education designed to prepare students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in an ever-changing world.

Evergreen provides a range of majors and minors, allowing students the flexibility to pursue their passions without limitations. The college emphasizes a personalized approach to learning, with narrative evaluations replacing traditional grading systems. This method gives students a clearer understanding of what they have accomplished and the progress they are making. Evergreen College offers Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and dual-degree programs, along with select certificate programs. The college offers over 45 fields of study.

The programs often integrate multiple disciplines, providing students with a well-rounded, interdisciplinary learning experience. Most undergraduate programs at Evergreen College are full-time, multi-faculty courses that can extend beyond a single quarter. These distinctive programs encourage students to connect the dots between subjects and foster a learning community that bridges the gap between different fields of study.

Website: https://www.evergreencollege.com/