Chaffey College is a public, 2-year institution founded in 1883, making it one of the first community colleges in California, according to the college's website. The school has operated a branch location in Fontana since September 1996. Most students at the campus complete general education courses in preparation for transferring to a 4-year college. Chaffey offers a variety of classes at the branch in subjects such as accounting, criminal justice, life and social sciences, information technology, and the arts. The campus includes a financial aid office, where students can receive assistance applying for state and federal loans and grants, and an academic advising office. Students at the Fontana branch also have the opportunity to participate in Chaffey student activities, such as theatrical productions or on one of the school's 14 athletic teams, at the main campus.
Chaffey College Fontana Campus
16855 Merrill Ave.
Fontana, CA 92335
909-652-7400
chaffey.edu/fontana
Established in 1954, the University of California, Riverside is approximately 17 miles from Fontana (around 22 minutes by automobile). Home to more than 19,000 undergraduate and graduate students, the public university received the 96th-place ranking among all universities in the United States from "U.S. News and World Report" in 2010. The college's engineering programs are its highest rated, according to the "2009 Barron's Profiles of American Colleges," and include chemical, electrical and mechanical specialties. Business administration, biology and psychology have the largest enrollment numbers among all of the school's programs. The college offers internships and study abroad programs in more than 30 countries, and also has a student grant program that can provide funding for both undergraduate and graduate students to perform academic research or complete artistic projects. Approximately 80 percent of all freshmen and 70 percent of all continuing students at the university receive some type of financial aid, explains "Barron's." The school is home to 17 intercollegiate and 24 intramural sports teams, 40 Greek organizations and more than 250 student groups and activities.
University of California at Riverside
900 University Ave.
Riverside, CA 92521
951-827-3411
ucr.edu
Also located in Riverside, California Baptist University is around 23 miles from Fontana (around 28 minutes by automobile). The Southern Baptist Convention founded the private college in 1950, and since that time, its enrollment has grown to more than 4,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The college's education program is its highest-rated course of study, while business, psychology and kinesiology are its most popular. All students at California Baptist must complete courses in Biblical studies in order to graduate. The university also offers internships, study abroad programs and a semester travel study in Washington, D.C., for interested students. The college also offers specialized degree programs for working adults that combine distance education and part-time classroom-based coursework. Around 86 percent of all freshmen and 92 percent of continuing students benefit from financial aid at California Baptist, reports the "2009 Barron's Profiles of American Colleges." The school sponsors 18 intercollegiate and 18 intramural sports teams, and students can participate in one of the school's 30 activities, such as the choir, newspaper or musical theater troupe. The university does not allow Greek organizations on campus.
California Baptist University
8432 Magnolia Ave.
Riverside, CA 92504
877-228-8866
calbaptist.edu