Schools in Carlsbad are run by school districts, not by the city. Residents in the City of Carlsbad are served by four school districts:

• Carlsbad Unified School District.
• Encinitas Union School District
• San Dieguito Union High School District
• San Marcos Unified School District

Nearby community colleges

• MiraCosta Community College
• Palomar Community College

San Diego area's largest universities

• California State University, San Marcos
• San Diego State University
• University of California, San Diego
• University of San Diego
• University of Phoenix
• National University