Hayward is home to three colleges, with about 17,000 students on campus
California State University-East Bay (8,951 students on campus) and Chabot College (7,625) are inside the city. About 7% of Hayward’s residents are enrolled in college, about the same as California (8%).
From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Hayward. Colleges are described, not graded.
Within 15 miles
18
68,989 students on campus
Nearest college
1.1 mi
Chabot College
Residents in college
7%
About the same as CA (8%)
Nearest community college
1.1 mi
Chabot College · $1,150 tuition
Nearest public university
3.5 mi
California State University-East Bay · $7,583 in-state
Median household income
$113K
prices below start here
What stands out about college in Hayward
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.
What it costs
What would your family pay?
The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles. Pick your family’s income.
Family income
Starts at Over $110k, where Hayward’s median household income ($113,318) falls.
The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.
Outcomes
Do students finish, and does it pay?
Each dot is a college within 15 miles of Hayward: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.
Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid. *Reported for all the campuses that file together: Carrington College-San Leandro Campus (5).
Majors
What students study in Hayward
Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field across Hayward’s 2 colleges, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.
Liberal arts 21%Business 18%Family sciences 7%Psychology 6%Health professions 6%Biology 6%Everything else 36%
Biggest programs
Business Administration, Management and OperationsCalifornia State University-East Bay · 734 graduates a year
$78k4 yrs out
Psychology, GeneralCalifornia State University-East Bay · 377 graduates a year
$54k4 yrs out
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related ServicesCalifornia State University-East Bay · 216 graduates a year
$58k4 yrs out
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, GeneralCalifornia State University-East Bay · 188 graduates a year
$68k4 yrs out
SociologyCalifornia State University-East Bay · 186 graduates a year
$62k4 yrs out
Computer ScienceCalifornia State University-East Bay · 175 graduates a year
$120k4 yrs out
Criminal Justice and CorrectionsCalifornia State University-East Bay · 166 graduates a year
$65k4 yrs out
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/FitnessCalifornia State University-East Bay · 152 graduates a year
$57k4 yrs out
College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.
Questions about college in Hayward
Is Hayward a college town?
No. About 7 of every 100 Hayward residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), about the same as California (8). The largest campus in the city, California State University-East Bay, has 8,951 students on campus.
What colleges are in Hayward?
California State University-East Bay, Chabot College and Life Chiropractic College West are inside the city.
What is the closest community college to Hayward, and what does it cost?
Chabot College in Hayward, 1.1 miles away. Tuition and fees are $1,150 a year for California residents; the federal net price, $9,053, counts housing and food at full cost.
How much does California State University-East Bay cost if we live in California?
Tuition and fees are $7,583 a year in-state and $20,183 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $6,360 (under $30,000 income) to $19,397 (over $110,000), housing and food included.
Neighbors talk college
Students, parents, alumni and the neighbors next door.
Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Hayward. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →
Photo: Mercurywoodrose · CC BY-SA 3.0