Menlo College

Menlo College is a private nonprofit college in Atherton, on a small residential campus in Silicon Valley. Its undergraduate choices center on business and psychology, with master’s programs in information systems, financial technology, and sport and performance psychology. The college’s scale and location are part of the proposition: students describe close contact with instructors and a campus community, while the surrounding region offers access to employers and internship opportunities. Menlo is also a specialized business school, accredited by AACSB through 2031.

Programs and learning environment

The Bachelor of Science in Business includes focused majors such as accounting, AI and analytics, entrepreneurship and innovation, finance, international business, marketing, real estate, and sports management. Psychology is the other main undergraduate field. Menlo also lists minors including business analytics, biotechnology, equity and justice studies, political science, professional sales, psychology, and real estate. Graduate students can pursue the M.S. in Information Systems, M.S. in Financial Technology, or M.A. in Sport and Performance Psychology. Review the undergraduate program directory and each graduate program’s requirements to confirm current courses, admissions prerequisites, and delivery format.

Business applicants may want to ask how their chosen major connects to internships, employer projects, and career advising, and whether those opportunities fit their intended industry. Transfer students should request a course-by-course evaluation before committing; Menlo’s small academic environment may suit students who want direct faculty access, but its focused degree range will not fit every academic plan.

Admissions and accreditation: an essential check

Applicants can apply as first-year or transfer students. Admissions lists weekday office hours of 9 a.m.–5 p.m., excluding college holidays. Before applying, compare the application requirements and deadlines for your entry term and program, and request a transfer-credit review if applicable.

Menlo is institutionally accredited by WSCUC, but its current status is Accredited with Notice of Concern. WSCUC says an institution with this status currently meets its standards but is in danger of falling out of compliance with one or more standards. In June 2026, the Commission continued Menlo’s Notice of Concern after a special visit; WSCUC lists an offsite review in Fall 2027 and an accreditation visit in Spring 2028. The status is not a withdrawal of accreditation, but it is material information for prospective students. Read the current WSCUC record and action materials and ask the college how it is addressing the accreditor’s concerns before making an enrollment decision. Menlo separately reports AACSB business accreditation through 2031.

Cost and financial aid

For full-time undergraduate enrollment in 2026–27, Menlo lists tuition of $58,110 and mandatory fees of $1,030. Its estimated total cost of attendance is $86,756 for a student living on campus, $92,450 off campus, or $78,834 living with a parent or relative. These totals include estimated non-billed costs such as books, transportation, and personal expenses; residential students must also have a meal plan. International full-time students face an additional $1,796 health-insurance charge for the year. Costs may change, so use the college’s current cost tables and net price calculator for an individual estimate.

Menlo says applicants are automatically considered for merit scholarships when admitted. Published annual examples include $22,000–$26,000 awards for California residents, up to $46,000 through the San Mateo County Commitment Scholarship (a combination of merit and need-based aid), $32,000 awards for eligible out-of-state students, and $28,000 for international students. Additional awards include up to $6,000 for eligible students returning after a gap in education and up to $4,000 for Phi Theta Kappa transfer members. Most institutional merit awards and grants apply to tuition only and do not automatically cover housing, meals, or fees; some additional awards exclude recruited athletes and performing-arts recruits.

Need-based options include the federal Pell Grant (maximum $7,395 in 2026–27), a possible Cal Grant, the President’s Grant, federal work-study, and SEOG awards of up to $1,000. The California Opportunity Grant may cover tuition and on-campus housing for California residents who meet Pell and Cal Grant eligibility rules; it is not automatic, and recruited NCAA athletes are excluded. File the FAFSA or, if eligible, the California Dream Act Application by the applicable deadline and ask Financial Aid to explain which parts of an offer are grants, scholarships, work, and repayable loans. The college’s “99% receive institutional aid” figure includes different kinds of assistance and should not be read as a promise that tuition or total costs will be covered.

Campus, contact, and visiting

• Main campus: 1000 El Camino Real, Atherton, CA 94027-4301. Admissions: (650) 543-3753; Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., excluding college holidays.
• Financial Aid: (650) 543-3880. Contact the office for an appointment and a personalized aid estimate.

Menlo lists one active main campus in Atherton. Admissions visits and virtual tours can be arranged through the college’s visit page; confirm the appointment and office location before traveling. No separate branch campus is listed by WSCUC.

What students say

Student reviews often value the small classes, approachable faculty, supportive relationships, and the chance to build professional connections in the Bay Area. Some reviewers describe an attractive, quiet campus and say instructors bring practical experience into business courses. Critical comments point to the price and uncertainty about value, plus requests for better housing and dining, more activities, improved student resources, and smoother administrative communication. These accounts are individual experiences, not guarantees. When visiting, ask current students about the actual housing and meal options, weekend life, advising response times, internship access for your major, and the full amount you would owe after grants and scholarships. Read student and alumni perspectives as one part of that comparison.