The closest is Saint Mary's College of California in Moraga, 4.3 miles from the center of town. Here’s what each costs, who gets in, and how students do.
Nearest college
4.3 mi
Saint Mary's College of California
Within 30 miles
51
degree-granting colleges
Nearest community college
5.6 mi
Berkeley City College
Students nearby
202,111
on campus within 30 miles
Residents in college
4%
CA 8%
College from Orinda
Read from the numbers below. The page puts what stands out first.
Graduate Theological UnionUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · Berkeley
5.1 mi140 students
Church Divinity School of the PacificUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · Berkeley
5.1 mi44 students
Pacific School of ReligionUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · Berkeley
5.2 mi128 students
Dominican School of Philosophy & TheologyUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · Berkeley
5.2 mi66 students
Institute of Buddhist StudiesUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · Berkeley
5.4 mi16 students
California Jazz ConservatoryUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · Berkeley
5.5 mi20 students
41 more within 30 miles.
Straight-line distance. Degree-granting colleges with students on campus. Dashed rows are too small, or report too little to the Department of Education, for a page of their own.
What it costs
What would your family pay?
The average a year after grants and scholarships, for families on federal aid. Pick your family’s income.
Family income
Starts at Over $110k, where Orinda’s median household income ($250K) falls.
Federal figures: your own price depends on your aid package. Every college has a net price calculator on its website. “—” = not reported for that income.
Outcomes
Do students finish, and does it pay?
Each dot is a college near Orinda: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.
Saint Mary's College of California70% graduate$79k earnings$24k typical debt
University of California-Berkeley93% graduate$92k earnings$13k typical debt
Berkeley City College36% graduate$41k earnings— typical debt
Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, students on federal aid. A college that’s part of a larger system reports earnings for the whole system.
Neighbors talk college
Students, parents, alumni and the neighbors next door.
Is Orinda close enough to college to live at home?
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Start the conversation
Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023). “On campus” counts fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Net price is the average a year after grants for families on federal aid; earnings are the median 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid. Distances are straight-line from the center of Orinda. Town figures: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey.
