
Humphreys University traces its beginnings to 1896 in Stockton, California, where it was established as Humphreys College with a practical, career-oriented educational focus. It later adopted the Humphreys University name as its programs expanded beyond the college's original scope.
Today, the institution operates in Stockton and Modesto and offers programs at several degree levels. Its history helps explain its emphasis on business, legal, education, and other professionally oriented fields. Applicants comparing older records or alumni credentials with current materials should be aware that both the Humphreys College and Humphreys University names refer to the institution at different points in its history.
Humphreys University offers a relatively focused range of academic programs rather than the broad array of schools found at a large research university. Its fields include business administration, accounting, criminal justice, education, liberal arts, and legal studies. The university also has a law school, known as the Laurence Drivon School of Law.
Credentials and course availability can differ by program and location. A prospective student should check the current academic catalog for the exact degree title, required courses, delivery format, and campus before applying. That distinction is particularly important for law and other career-specific programs, where admission and professional requirements may differ from those for a general undergraduate degree.
Humphreys University serves students through its Stockton and Modesto campuses in California's Central Valley. These are distinct locations within the same institution, so an applicant should confirm which campus offers the intended program and required in-person courses.
The campuses are suited to students who plan to commute rather than live in university housing. Travel time, parking, and the availability of classes at workable hours may matter as much as the distance between home and campus. Stockton Metropolitan Airport serves the Stockton area, although most local students are likely to rely on road transportation for routine trips to class.
Humphreys University presents its educational purpose around accessible higher education and preparation for professional and personal goals. Its academic offerings reflect a longstanding emphasis on applied fields and students pursuing education alongside other responsibilities.
A mission statement describes what an institution intends to do; it is not, by itself, evidence of an individual student's outcome. Applicants can assess how that purpose works in practice by examining their program's course sequence, class schedule, academic support, and applicable career or licensing requirements. The university's current catalog and institutional publications are the appropriate sources for the exact wording of its mission and any separately stated vision.
Name of the institution
Humphreys University-Stockton and Modesto CampusesLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PrivateSetting type
City: LargeInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or aboveInstitution size category
Under 1,000School type
UniversityMain student body
CoeducationalCalendar system
QuartersFoundation year
1896Humphreys University-Stockton and Modesto Campuses is institutionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.
Associate's degree
Bachelor's degree
Master's degree
Doctor's degree - professional practiceData last updated on November 2, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.