What Makes California Universities and Colleges So Special?

California has long been a place where individuals come to attain a first-class higher education. While much of the history of the United States is interwoven into the fabric of East Coast Ivy League universities, the spirit of the wild west endures in California universities and colleges. San Francisco Bay University is proud to uphold this tradition.

California is a popular destination for high school students from Asian countries especially. It’s just a quick hop across the Pacific Ocean and before you know it you find yourself studying at a high-caliber institution.

Still, California did not just become a hot spot of academic excellence overnight. It took hundreds of years of development, from the good old days to modern times, for cities in California to become hotbeds of innovation and culture. California is a melting pot, and as such, the diverse array of individuals, companies, and organizations make this a fantastic place to learn.

With a GDP of $2.8 trillion, California would slot between Germany and the United Kingdom in the world's top economies, and by itself makes up for 14% of the US economy. It is, without a doubt, a major economic growth engine of the United States. Obviously, Germany and the U.K. are both very desirable places for students looking to get a degree, and here is California, right there among them. It is this level of excellence and sheer grandiosity of California that seeps into the colleges and universities that dot the state.

Northern California From Then to Now

One of the key reasons why Northern California is such a powerhouse of innovation and investment is that there is a culture of collaboration, even between groups that could be seen as competitors. If you live in Northern California or San Francisco, you understand why our culture fosters innovation.

We don’t like to do something the “traditional” way. We pride ourselves on being forward thinkers and innovators. In the area around Silicon Valley, Berkeley, and the San Francisco Bay, there is an eagerness to be first, whether it be the first to try a new experience, the first to buy from a new company or to test a new piece of technology.

People here in the San Francisco Bay Area love new ideas. And they are not shy about bringing them up in conversation. It isn’t a matter of arrogance, but more of confidence and inquisitiveness. The schools, businesses, and governments of Northern California foster an environment of participation and contribution. They live by the idea that you should bring something to teach and be prepared to learn.

Yet, this wasn’t always the case. The history of innovation in the Bay Area took a long time to write and went through a series of convulsions. The Bay Area’s progressive spirit was a shock to many in the 80s. And throughout the decades, it has been this progressive spirit that has defined the culture of Northern California.

The Evolution of Northern California as a Culture and Technological Powerhouse

The 80s in California was a time for makers. Whether it be unique clothes, posters, or furniture, it was in San Francisco where the West Coast punk scene thrived. Then, by the mid-90s, the worlds of technology and design began to collide. Computers were still novel items, certainly not in every home, and we were transitioning from the pager to the cell phone, now smartphone. It was a technology company right here in neighboring Cupertino that led the charge in combining the best of cutting-edge technology and spectacular, eye-catching design. And it is to this day that Apple, Inc. serves as a top destination for computer science majors, computer engineers, MBA students, and more.

Forward-thinking companies in Silicon Valley spent the 90s and early-2000s immersed in technology, software, mass-manufacturing and user-experience. Whether it be in hardware or software, the behemoths of the tech world integrated the best principles of design and technology. And they did so with the help of students who graduated from Northern California universities and colleges.

Now, here we are in 2022 and the world has changed. We work in a highly technological society. As such, students who want good paying jobs that will last should study disciplines that will prepare them for a cutting-edge future.

Today, students who graduate with a Masters in Computer Science from SFBU can not only gain a glimpse into, but directly affect, how design and technology shape our world today. The multicultural and multidisciplinary approach to creating change is everywhere, both at SFBU and other colleges and universities in the California system.

Here at SFBU, we are proud to be one of many California colleges and universities offering a first class education. Yet, we stand apart. We focus on providing an education on par with the best universities and colleges in the United States, but we offer it at affordable prices.

California Universities and Colleges Share Top Rankings

All you have to do is have a look at any one of Money’s Best Colleges and Universities rankings to see that institutions of higher education in California dominate the list. University of California San Diego ranks as one of the best public colleges in the United States. Further north, in our neighborhood, is San Jose State University, which ranks as one of the most transformative colleges. The fact is, just about any list of top colleges and universities has a host of California schools within it.

Have a look at this list of top universities in the United States created by Forbes publishing. Four of the top ten in this list are universities in California, several of which we have listed below.

Here at San Francisco Bay University, we are proud to share the stage here in Northern California with other prestigious colleges and universities, from:

• Stanford University
• University of California, San Francisco
• University of California, Berkeley
• San Francisco State University
• University of San Francisco

Aside from world-class surfing, dining, and entertainment, California offers a culture of innovation, inspiration, and healthy competitive energy. It is here, in our state, that society is pushed to its best future. At San Francisco Bay University, we are proud to be a part of that story. We offer a top-level education to students from here in California and around the world in the following disciplines:

• The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
• Master of Science in Electrical Engineering
• Master of Science in Computer Science
• Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
• Master of Business Administration
• Intensive English Program

We even offer tuition assistance and scholarships for students who need assistance covering their programs. Contact us today at 510-803-SFBU to find out how you can become part of the California innovation legend, no matter where in the world you are from.