
Courtesy of Menlo College
Menlo College is a private college in Atherton, California, whose roots date to 1927, when Menlo School and Junior College opened. The college later developed into a four-year institution and established an identity centered largely on business education.
Its history helps explain its present academic focus: business-related fields remain prominent, alongside programs in areas such as psychology and interdisciplinary study. Applicants comparing Menlo with larger universities should expect a smaller institution rather than a broad collection of professional schools.
Menlo College organizes its academic offerings around business and the liberal arts. Its undergraduate options include fields such as accounting, finance, marketing, entrepreneurship, business administration, psychology, and data analytics; applicants should consult the current catalog for the exact degree titles and requirements available in their entry year.
That mix matters when comparing programs. A student interested in accounting, for example, should examine the courses required for that major and any applicable professional-licensing rules, rather than assume that attending a business-focused college alone meets CPA eligibility requirements. Students exploring graduate study should likewise check the current catalog separately: undergraduate and graduate admission, curricula, and prices can differ.
Menlo College is in Atherton, California, on the San Francisco Peninsula. Its suburban setting places students near other Peninsula communities and the wider Bay Area, while making local transportation and housing costs practical considerations.
Students arranging internships or commuting should check the travel time for a specific destination rather than treat the Bay Area as one nearby location. San Francisco International Airport is a useful regional airport for students traveling from farther away. First-year students are permitted to register or park a car on campus, but parking rules and permit costs should be confirmed before relying on a vehicle.
Menlo College describes its educational purpose in terms of preparing students for work and leadership, with particular attention to business, entrepreneurship, and ethical decision-making. These are institutional aims, not independently measured outcomes for every student.
Prospective students can test how that stated mission appears in practice by reviewing the required curriculum, experiential-learning options, and the support available in their intended major. Menlo is a private, nonsectarian institution; its academic focus should not be confused with a religious affiliation.
Name of the institution
Menlo CollegeLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PrivateSetting type
Suburb: LargeInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or aboveInstitution size category
Under 1,000School type
Four-year collegeMain student body
CoeducationalCalendar system
SemestersFoundation year
1927Menlo College 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.
Bachelor's degree
Master's degreeData 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.