Colleges & Universities in Vacaville, CA

Vacaville is a city located in Solano County, California between San Francisco and Sacramento. With a population of over 100,000 residents, Vacaville has a handful of colleges and universities that serve the local community. Here is an overview of the higher education options available in Vacaville.

Solano Community College

Solano Community College (SCC) is a public community college located in Fairfield, just a 15 minute drive from Vacaville. SCC offers associate’s degrees, certificates, and career technical education programs across various disciplines.

Academics

SCC provides affordable, high-quality education with small class sizes. Students can choose from over 100 majors in fields such as:

• Arts, Humanities & Communication
• Science, Technology, Engineering & Math
• Business & Management
• Health Sciences
• Public Safety
• Social & Behavioral Sciences

Notable programs include nursing, biomanufacturing, architecture, and culinary arts. SCC also has renowned athletics programs, including their champion women’s water polo team.

Campuses

SCC’s main campus is located in Fairfield with three centers located throughout Solano County:

• Vacaville Center – Offers general education classes, located right in Vacaville
• Vallejo Center – Focuses on general education curriculum
• Travis Air Force Base Center – Caters to military personnel

The Vacaville Center is conveniently located right in Vacaville, allowing local residents easy access to SCC’s offerings.

Enrollment & Tuition

SCC enrolls over 10,000 students annually. As a public California community college, SCC offers very affordable tuition:

• California Residents: $46 per unit
• Non-residents: $307 per unit plus $46 enrollment fee per unit

Financial aid and scholarships are available for qualifying students. SCC is an affordable option for Vacaville residents looking to earn an associate’s degree or transfer to a four-year university.

University of Phoenix – Solano County Campus

The University of Phoenix operates a branch campus in Fairfield, near Vacaville. This private university focuses on flexible schedules for working adults pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees.

Academics

The Solano County campus offers several bachelor’s and master’s degrees in fields such as:

• Business
• Criminal Justice
• Healthcare
• Information Technology
• Education

Notable programs include their RN to BSN nursing program, MBA, and master’s in education. Classes are accelerated and offered in the evenings and online to accommodate working schedules.

Enrollment & Tuition

The Solano County campus has a student population around 200 students. As a private university, tuition is higher than public options:

• Bachelors: $398 per credit
• Masters: $698 per credit

University of Phoenix offers tuition reductions for military, corporate partnerships, and other scholarships.

California State University, Sacramento

While not located directly in Vacaville, California State University, Sacramento (Sac State) is just a 35 minute drive away and enrolls many Vacaville residents.

Academics

Sac State is known for its business, education, engineering, and health/medical programs. They confer over 7,500 degrees annually across a wide range of programs including:

• Arts & Letters
• Business Administration
• Education
• Engineering & Computer Science
• Health & Human Services
• Natural Sciences & Mathematics
• Social Sciences & Interdisciplinary Studies

The school has a 19:1 student-faculty ratio with an emphasis on hands-on learning.

Campus Life

Sac State’s large, 300-acre campus provides a traditional university experience. Campus life includes:

• 30,000+ students
• 800+ student organizations
• Division I athletics
• Student housing
• Extensive student services

The campus is located just outside downtown Sacramento near the American River.

Enrollment & Tuition

Admissions at Sac State is competitive with a 46% acceptance rate. Tuition depends on residency:

• California residents: $7,000 per year
• Non-residents: $17,000 per year

Over 75% of students receive financial aid. Sacramento State offers excellent value given the breadth of programs and resources available.

Brandman University

Brandman University is a private, non-profit university with a campus located right in Vacaville. They specialize in online and blended classes for adult learners.

Academics

Brandman focuses on in-demand fields including:

• Business
• Arts & Sciences
• Health
• Education

They offer over 50 degree, certificate, and credential programs at the bachelor’s through doctoral level. Brandman has a competency-based curriculum tailored for working professionals.

Convenience

The Vacaville campus makes Brandman extremely convenient for local residents. Classes are offered evenings, weekends, and online providing flexibility. Brandman also has partnerships with community colleges including Solano CC to make transferring credits seamless.

Affordability

As a private university, Brandman’s tuition is higher than public options but they provide scholarships and financial aid. Estimated annual tuition:

• Undergraduate: $18,000/year
• Graduate: $23,000/year

Brandman is a solid choice for Vacaville adults seeking a convenient way to earn their degree while working.

Touro University California

Touro University California is a private graduate institution focused on health sciences and education degrees. The campus is located in nearby Vallejo, a quick 15 minute drive from Vacaville.

Programs of Study

Touro UC offers several masters and doctoral programs including:

• Osteopathic Medicine
• Pharmacy
• Physician Assistant Studies
• Public Health
• Nursing
• Occupational Therapy
• Education

They combine classroom learning with extensive clinical training and experience. Touro UC is known for producing practice-ready graduates.

Student Experience

The campus fosters close-knit community and collaboration. With under 1,500 students, class sizes stay small. Touro UC also partners with community clinics and organizations to provide on-the-ground learning.

Admissions & Tuition

Admissions is competitive – most programs require at least a 3.0 GPA. As a private graduate school, tuition is high:

• Masters Programs: $60,000 – $80,000 total
• Doctoral Programs: $90,000 – $170,000 total

Financial aid is available through federal assistance, institutional aid, and external scholarships and loans.

Touro University California is a top choice for those seeking graduate health science and education degrees in the Vacaville region.

Other Local Options

Vacaville residents have additional higher education choices through nearby colleges and universities. These include:

Public Options

• Napa Valley College (Napa)
• Sonoma State University (Rohnert Park)
• UC Davis (Davis)

Private Options

• Santa Clara University (Santa Clara)
• University of San Francisco (San Francisco)
• University of the Pacific (Stockton)

Many students choose to take advantage of online programs as well. Vacaville’s proximity to several excellent public and private universities and colleges in the greater Bay Area and Sacramento region provides numerous options for higher education.

While Vacaville does not have any large universities within city limits, residents have access to a diverse range of college options nearby. From affordable community colleges like Solano CC to private universities like Brandman and Touro, students can find the right fit at all degree levels, from associate’s to doctorate degrees.

Whether staying local at convenient campuses in Vacaville, Fairfield, and Vallejo or venturing just a bit farther to renowned institutions in Sacramento, Napa, and beyond, Vacaville offers no shortage of higher education for its community.