San Francisco Bay University (SFBU) is a private university in Fremont, California, formerly known as Northwestern Polytechnic University. Founded in 1984, it developed around career-oriented study in engineering, technology, and business before adopting its current name.
The name change matters when comparing older records with current information: historical graduation figures, accreditation documents, and alumni records may use Northwestern Polytechnic University. Applicants should make sure a policy or statistic under either name applies to the same institution and to the year in which they plan to enroll.
SFBU concentrates on business and technical fields rather than offering the broad range of departments found at a large comprehensive university. Its academic organization includes a School of Business and a School of Engineering, with undergraduate and graduate study in areas such as business administration, computer science, and engineering.
That specialization may suit students who already have a clear academic direction. Before applying, compare the current catalog's degree requirements, course sequence, and elective choices with your goals. A program title alone will not show whether a desired specialization is offered regularly or whether a course is available in the term you need it.
SFBU is in Fremont, in the southern part of the San Francisco Bay Area. Its campus is at 161 Mission Falls Lane, near the Warm Springs area; it is not in the city of San Francisco despite the university's name.
Fremont's location offers access to Bay Area employers and communities, but travel time can vary considerably by route and schedule. Warm Springs/South Fremont is the nearby BART station, and regional bus and road connections are relevant for commuters. Prospective students who expect to work, live off campus, or attend evening classes should check the trip from their likely home to the campus at the hours they would actually travel.
SFBU presents its educational purpose around practical, career-relevant learning in business and technology. Its stated emphasis on applied study helps explain its relatively focused selection of academic programs.
A mission statement describes institutional priorities, not a measured outcome for every student. Applicants can assess how those priorities operate in a particular degree by examining required projects, opportunities for applied work, faculty availability, and the courses offered each term.
Name of the institution
San Francisco Bay UniversityLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PrivateSetting type
City: MidsizeInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or aboveInstitution size category
Under 1,000School type
Comprehensive higher education institutionMain student body
CoeducationalCalendar system
TrimestersFoundation year
1984
Bachelor's degree
Postbaccalaureate certificate
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.