2025 Guide to Accredited Colleges Near Goleta, California
Are you near Goleta, California looking for an accredited college or university where you can earn a degree? Start your search with the Best Adult Colleges & Careers Guide.
This guide makes it easy for you to learn about accredited schools offering degrees near Goleta, California, including details about each institution's accreditation history, as well as insight into institutional and programmatic accreditation. You'll also find other helpful information about accredited colleges near Goleta, California, including cost, program completions and online availability.
Accreditation information provided reflects the recognized state approval agencies, as well as institutional and programmatic accrediting bodies from the U.S. Department of Education's Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP). Accreditation information listed for each institution may not be comprehensive or complete. Please contact the appropriate agency for the most accurate and current accreditation information. Click here to learn more about the guide.
What is Accreditation & Why Does it Matter?
Make sure the time and money you invest in your education is well spent by doing your research on accreditation. Accreditation is validation that the degree you're earning meets acceptable levels of quality. In the United States, accreditation is granted by accrediting organizations, as well as state and federal governmental agencies.
Institutional and programmatic are two main types of accreditation.
Accreditation: Institutional vs. Programmatic
Institutional Accreditation
Granted as a result of a voluntary examination of a school's academic and organizational structure.
What it Impacts:
- Financial Aid
- Corporate Tuition Reimbursement
- Credit Transfer
Programmatic Accreditation
Focuses on a specific department or program/field of study.
What it Impacts:
- Licensure
- Certification
- Employment
Sponsored
Accredited College Providing Quality Degrees for Students
Nonprofit and dedicated to student success, Franklin University was founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, to provide high-quality academic programs aligned with workforce needs. Franklin demonstrates its quality through institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission and programmatic accreditation for educator preparation (CAEP), nursing (CCNE) and specific business (IACBE) programs. In addition, the University is designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CD) by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security for its cybersecurity programs.




About these Accreditations
Higher Learning Commission
Franklin University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense
Franklin University has been designated as a Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) in Cyber Defense since 2019, by the National Security Agency and its federal partners. Our B.S. in Cybersecurity received the program of study designation in 2019 and the M.S. in Cybersecurity program was designated in 2024. These designations were awarded as a result of a thorough investigation into the University's cybersecurity curriculum, faculty credentials, and competence in research and student involvement in cybersecurity activities.
For more information about the National Security Agency's Centers of Academic Excellence, please click here and for more information about the CAE Community, please click here.
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing, post-graduate APRN certificates, and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs at Franklin University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
The School of Education at Franklin University holds accreditation for its initial-level educator preparation programs through June 2027 from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), 1140 19th St NW, Suite 400 Washington, DC 20036 (202) 223-0077. The following bachelor's degree and post-baccalaureate initial-level licensure programs were included in the CAEP accreditation review: Adolescence to Young Adult Education (7-12), Intervention Specialist: Mild-Moderate (K-12), Middle Childhood Education, and Primary Education (PK-5).
For more information about the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, please click here.
International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)
The Ross College of Business at Franklin University has received specialized accreditation for its business programs through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) located at 11960 Quivira Road in Overland Park, Kansas, USA. For a list of accredited programs please view our IACBE member status page. Click here to see our IACBE Public Disclosure of Student Achievement. For more information about the International Accreditation Council for Business Education, please click here or visit www.iacbe.org.
Find Franklin Programs With Programmatic Accreditation:

Bachelor's Degrees:
Associate Degrees:
Master's Degrees:
Doctoral Degrees:
Programs accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education are committed to continuous assessment and improvement, which results in graduates that are in-tune with current thinking and best practices in business around the world.

Bachelor's Degrees:
Accreditation by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation signifies that teacher preparation programs meet national standards for ensuring that graduates are equipped with the skills to be effective classroom teachers.

Designation by the National Security Agency and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as a Center of Excellence in Cyber Defense Education validates an institution’s quality and commitment to producing highly-qualified cybersecurity professionals.

Master's Degrees:
Doctoral Degrees:
Post-Graduate Certificates:
Through a peer-review accreditation process, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education holds U.S. nursing programs to a common quality standard as they prepare nurses for certification, employment and advanced education.
97% of graduating students believe their Franklin degree will help or has already helped them achieve their goals.
Source: Graduating Student Survey
Accredited 4-Year Private Nonprofit Colleges & Universities Near Goleta, California
Institutional Accreditation
The Higher Learning Commission is the institutional accreditor for Franklin University. The institution has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1976. The latest accreditation action concerning Franklin University occurred in 2025 and was Renewal of Accreditation. See a list of the most recent accreditation history and actions for Franklin University from the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP) below. Most students who attend Franklin University are adults and all programs completed were offered online. According to data from Lightcast™, in 2023, 88 associate degrees, 1,429 bachelor's degrees, 616 master's degrees and 38 doctoral degrees were completed at Franklin University.
Is in compliance with all of the agency's accreditation standards
Programmatic Accreditation
Franklin University has programmatic accreditation for 46 of its academic programs including accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education for nursing degree and post-graduate certificate programs, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation for initial-level licensure programs, and the International Accreditation Council for Business Education for specific business and accounting programs. In addition, the University has been designated as a Center of Excellence in Cyber Defense for its cybersecurity programs by the National Security Agency and its federal partners.
Cost, Enrollment & Programs
According to Lightcast™, the average annual undergraduate tuition and fees at Franklin University was $9,577 in 2023 and the average annual graduate tuition and fees was $12,060. A total of 2,171 degrees were completed at Franklin University in Franklin University.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$9,577
Avg. GR Tuition & Fees
$12,060
Completions By Degree
2,171
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
Completions by Program Area
Institutional Accreditation
The WASC Senior College and University Commission is the institutional accreditor for Westmont College. The institution has been accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission since 1957. The latest accreditation action concerning Westmont College occurred in 2025 and was Grant Substantive Change: Program. See a list of the most recent accreditation history and actions for Westmont College from the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP) below. Most students who attend Westmont College are of traditional age and no programs completed were offered online. According to data from Lightcast™, in 2023, 0 associate degrees, 379 bachelor's degrees, 0 master's degrees and 0 doctoral degrees were completed at Westmont College.
Is in compliance with all of the agency's accreditation standards
Programmatic Accreditation
According to data from the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), Westmont College has or previously had programmatic accreditation for 1 of its academic programs, by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Programmatic accreditation information sourced from DAPIP may not be current or complete, so please see the individual school's website or contact the specific accrediting agency for the most accurate status.
Cost, Enrollment & Programs
According to Lightcast™, the average annual undergraduate tuition and fees at Westmont College was $51,790 in 2023 and the average annual graduate tuition and fees was $0. A total of 379 degrees were completed at Westmont College in Westmont College.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$51,790
Avg. GR Tuition & Fees
$0
Completions By Degree
379
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Completions by Program Area
Accredited 4-Year Public Colleges & Universities Near Goleta, California
Institutional Accreditation
The WASC Senior College and University Commission is the institutional accreditor for University of California-Santa Barbara. The institution has been accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission since 1949. The latest accreditation action concerning University of California-Santa Barbara occurred in 2025 and was Renewal of Accreditation. See a list of the most recent accreditation history and actions for University of California-Santa Barbara from the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP) below. Most students who attend University of California-Santa Barbara are of traditional age and no programs completed were offered online. According to data from Lightcast™, in 2023, 0 associate degrees, 7,054 bachelor's degrees, 541 master's degrees and 356 doctoral degrees were completed at University of California-Santa Barbara.
Is in compliance with all of the agency's accreditation standards
Programmatic Accreditation
According to data from the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), University of California-Santa Barbara has or previously had programmatic accreditation for 5 of its academic programs, by the American Psychological Association, Commission on Accreditation. Programmatic accreditation information sourced from DAPIP may not be current or complete, so please see the individual school's website or contact the specific accrediting agency for the most accurate status.
Cost, Enrollment & Programs
According to Lightcast™, the average annual undergraduate tuition and fees at University of California-Santa Barbara was $14,965 in 2023 and the average annual graduate tuition and fees was $14,453. A total of 7,951 degrees were completed at University of California-Santa Barbara in University of California-Santa Barbara.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$14,965
Avg. GR Tuition & Fees
$14,453
Completions By Degree
7,951
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Completions by Program Area
Accredited 2-Year & Other Private For-Profit Colleges & Universities Near Goleta, California
Institutional Accreditation
The Distance Education Accrediting Commission is the institutional accreditor for Lionel University. The institution has been accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission since 2009. The latest accreditation action concerning Lionel University occurred in 2025 and was Renewal of Accreditation. See a list of the most recent accreditation history and actions for Lionel University from the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP) below. Most students who attend Lionel University are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and all programs completed were offered online. According to data from Lightcast™, in 2023, 55 associate degrees, 25 bachelor's degrees, 0 master's degrees and 0 doctoral degrees were completed at Lionel University.
Is in compliance with all of the agency's accreditation standards
Cost, Enrollment & Programs
According to Lightcast™, the average annual undergraduate tuition and fees at Lionel University was $15,288 in 2023 and the average annual graduate tuition and fees was $13,275. A total of 80 degrees were completed at Lionel University in Lionel University.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$15,288
Avg. GR Tuition & Fees
$13,275
Completions By Degree
80
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
Completions by Program Area
Accredited 2-Year Public Schools Offering Near Goleta, California Including Community Colleges
Institutional Accreditation
The Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges is the institutional accreditor for Ventura College. The institution has been accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges since 1952. The latest accreditation action concerning Ventura College occurred in 2025 and was Heightened Monitoring or Focused Review. See a list of the most recent accreditation history and actions for Ventura College from the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP) below. Most students who attend Ventura College are of traditional age and no programs completed were offered online. According to data from Lightcast™, in 2023, 2,846 associate degrees, 0 bachelor's degrees, 0 master's degrees and 0 doctoral degrees were completed at Ventura College.
Additional oversight is required to ensure a resolution of compliance issues
Programmatic Accreditation
According to data from the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), Ventura College has or previously had programmatic accreditation for 1 of its academic programs, by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. ? May 6, 2013 Formerly: National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission. Programmatic accreditation information sourced from DAPIP may not be current or complete, so please see the individual school's website or contact the specific accrediting agency for the most accurate status.
Cost, Enrollment & Programs
According to Lightcast™, the average annual undergraduate tuition and fees at Ventura College was $1,412 in 2023 and the average annual graduate tuition and fees was $0. A total of 2,846 degrees were completed at Ventura College in Ventura College.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$1,412
Avg. GR Tuition & Fees
$0
Completions By Degree
2,846
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Completions by Program Area
Institutional Accreditation
The Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges is the institutional accreditor for Santa Barbara City College. The institution has been accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges since 1952. The latest accreditation action concerning Santa Barbara City College occurred in 2025 and was Renewal of Accreditation. See a list of the most recent accreditation history and actions for Santa Barbara City College from the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP) below. Most students who attend Santa Barbara City College are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online. According to data from Lightcast™, in 2023, 2,554 associate degrees, 0 bachelor's degrees, 0 master's degrees and 0 doctoral degrees were completed at Santa Barbara City College.
Has satisfactorily addressed all compliance concerns from previous actions
Programmatic Accreditation
According to data from the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), Santa Barbara City College has or previously had programmatic accreditation for 2 of its academic programs, including accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. ? May 6, 2013 Formerly: National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission and the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. Programmatic accreditation information sourced from DAPIP may not be current or complete, so please see the individual school's website or contact the specific accrediting agency for the most accurate status.
Cost, Enrollment & Programs
According to Lightcast™, the average annual undergraduate tuition and fees at Santa Barbara City College was $1,234 in 2023 and the average annual graduate tuition and fees was $0. A total of 2,554 degrees were completed at Santa Barbara City College in Santa Barbara City College.