Cañada College
in Woodside, California, USA
About
Cañada College is located in Redwood City, California, close to Silicon Valley and San Jose. Students enjoy a supportive and creative campus community while studying near global centers of innovation and technology. Cañada offers programs in animation, business, computer science, fashion design, interior design, and many more. The college’s strong hands-on learning experiences and clear transfer pathways to four-year universities help students pursue their creative passions. Cañada is clear leader in UC transfers with 50% of students transferring successfully to UC Berkeley and 99%-100% of students in the honors transfer program gaining acceptance to UCLA.
Your Bridge to Top Universities
Located in the heart of Silicon Valley and the San Francisco Bay Area, Cañada College is one of three colleges that comprise the San Mateo Colleges of Silicon Valley (SMCSV). SMCSV includes three accredited community colleges—Cañada College, College of San Mateo, and Skyline College—that offer the first two years of higher education across a wide range of degree, transfer, and one-year certificate programs. SMCSV is a leader in transfers to the University of California (UC) system, including top institutions such as UC Berkeley and UCLA, with an average UC admission rate close to 90%.
Each campus is located in a small, safe community with convenient access to San Francisco, San Jose, San Francisco International Airport, and other internationally renowned attractions. SMCSV supports students in securing safe, convenient, and affordable housing through its homestay referral program.
With particular strength in STEM fields taught by experienced, industry-leading professionals, SMCSV students regularly secure internships in areas such as technology and innovation, financial services, startups, and more. SMCSV offers an affordable two-year education that allows students to save significantly for their final two years. Tuition at SMCSV is approximately one-fifth the cost of most University of California campuses and less than half the cost of a California State University.
- Golden Returns, 2025: #5 in California for Return on Investment
Life at San Mateo Colleges of Silicon Valley goes beyond the classroom. Each campus offers a vibrant and supportive environment designed to help students succeed academically, socially, and personally.
Academic and Career Support: Get help at Transfer Centers, Learning Centers (with free tutoring), and Counseling Services, and take advantage of the Honors Transfer Program to prepare for top universities.
Student Engagement: Join student clubs, get involved in the Active Student Senate, or compete on athletic teams to make friends and explore your passions.
Health and Wellness: Stay active with fitness centers, including a swimming pool, free for students, and access health services, along with free meals and groceries to support your well-being.
Convenience and Accessibility: Travel easily with free shuttle services and bus cards, connecting you to campus and the surrounding Bay Area.
The San Mateo Colleges of Silicon Valley (SMCSV) offer more than 50 institutional scholarships each year, and all enrolled students are eligible to apply. Award amounts range from $300 to $7,000, helping make college more affordable. Students can also apply for external scholarships, such as the $1,000 Study in California Scholarship, to further support their educational journey.
Requirements for International Students
Free to apply - no application fee!
- Age Requirement - 16+ years old
- English Proficiency Requirement - TOEFL iBT 56/3.5, IELTS 5.5, Duolingo 85 or equivalent*
- Financial Requirement - $32,500
- HS completion if under age 18
- Academic transcript(s) with English translation(s)
*If you do not meet the English Proficiency Requirement, please consider applying for the International English as a Second Language (IESL) Pathway Program at Cañada College. The IESL program allows you to start earning credits toward your degree while improving your English language proficiency.
Build your English skills while earning credits toward your degree through the IESL Pathway Program at Cañada College. No English proficiency test score is required to apply to IESL.
