Highest earnings after college
Median earnings ten years after starting.
- 1Stanford University$124,080
- 2Palo Alto University$83,187
- 3Menlo College$76,419
- 4Notre Dame de Namur University$74,576
- 5San Francisco State University$68,077
College & student life
College guide to San Mateo
San Mateo college guide: College of San Mateo, San Francisco State University and more, with rankings, campus events, game days and study spots.
Colleges near San Mateo
Pick a campus for its live schedule, game days and the best spots nearby.
In San MateoCommunity college · Since 1922College of San Mateo5,000–9,999 students$536 net price · 61% graduate
15 mi awayPublic university · Since 1899San Francisco State University20,000+ students$12,278 net price · 50% graduate
12 mi awayPrivate university · Since 1885Stanford University10,000–19,999 students$13,807 net price · 92% graduate
13 mi awayCommunity college · Since 1961Chabot College10,000–19,999 students$9,053 net price · 47% graduate
14 mi awayCommunity college · Since 1935City College of San Francisco10,000–19,999 students$6,906 net price · 40% graduate
CC8 mi away
Community college · Since 1968Canada College5,000–9,999 students$32 net price · 47% graduate
10 mi awayPublic college · Since 1960Skyline College5,000–9,999 students$1,738 net price · 44% graduate
PAU14 mi away
Private university · Since 1975Palo Alto University1,000–4,999 students
3 mi awayPrivate university · Since 1851Notre Dame de Namur UniversityUnder 1,000 students7% graduate
AGS6 mi away
Private collegeAlder Graduate School of EducationUnder 1,000 students
MC10 mi away
Private college · Since 1927Menlo CollegeUnder 1,000 students$31,100 net price · 54% graduate
LCC12 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 San Mateo
Quads, libraries, stadiums and halls at the colleges in this guide. Tap a photo for the college page.
Games and campus events near San Mateo
The next seven days at every college in this guide, updated daily from their own calendars.
How colleges near San Mateo compare
Ranked on official College Scorecard figures: what graduates earn, what students pay after aid, and how many finish.
Best value
Median earnings per dollar of the average yearly net price.
- 1Canada College1565.2× net price
- 2College of San Mateo101.1× net price
- 3Skyline College32.0× net price
- 4Stanford University9.0× net price
- 5City College of San Francisco6.6× net price
Most affordable
Average yearly net price after grants and scholarships.
- 1Canada College$32
- 2College of San Mateo$536
- 3Skyline College$1,738
- 4City College of San Francisco$6,906
- 5Chabot College$9,053
Highest graduation rates
Share of full-time students who finish within 150% of normal time.
Most selective
Lowest admission rates.
- 1Stanford University4% admitted
- 2Menlo College69% admitted
- 3San Francisco State 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 San Mateo side by side
Size, cost after aid, graduation and earnings for every college in this guide. Tap a column to sort.
| College | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| College of San MateoCommunity college | In town | 7,977 | $536 | Open | 61% | $54,172 |
| San Francisco State UniversityPublic university | 15 mi | 18,639 | $12,278 | 96% | 50% | $68,077 |
| Stanford UniversityPrivate university | 12 mi | 7,554 | $13,807 | 4% | 92% | $124,080 |
| Chabot CollegeCommunity college | 13 mi | 11,392 | $9,053 | Open | 47% | $48,143 |
| City College of San FranciscoCommunity college | 14 mi | 17,348 | $6,906 | Open | 40% | $45,805 |
| Canada CollegeCommunity college | 8 mi | 5,175 | $32 | Open | 47% | $50,087 |
| Skyline CollegePublic college | 10 mi | 7,620 | $1,738 | Open | 44% | $55,702 |
| Palo Alto UniversityPrivate university | 14 mi | 14 | – | – | – | $83,187 |
| Notre Dame de Namur UniversityPrivate university | 3 mi | 33 | – | – | 7% | $74,576 |
| Alder Graduate School of EducationPrivate college | 6 mi | – | – | – | – | – |
| Menlo CollegePrivate college | 10 mi | 752 | $31,100 | 69% | 54% | $76,419 |
| Life Chiropractic College WestPrivate college | 12 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.
FC
Foreigner Cafe
RestaurantNC
Neal’s Coffee Shop
DinerOpen late
Kitchens and bars serving past 10 p.m.
MP
Mateo Pizza Restaurant
RestaurantP
Porterhouse
RestaurantBS
B Street & Vine
RestaurantW
Wunderbar
RestaurantF
Fogbird
RestaurantHP
Heidi’s Pies
Diner and pie shopMore to do in San Mateo
Concerts, markets, free events and game days, updated every day.