There’s a myth going around that says students go to community colleges because they weren't accepted by a four year school. The truth is, many students start their post-secondary degrees in college as a money saving factor. By taking the first two years of a four-year degree in a community college, students take out fewer loans and won’t carry as large of a debt burden. Many students (and parents) are seeing community colleges as a great stepping stone. In recent years, this trend hasn't lessened.
Thus if your goal is to attend a four-year university, the name of the game is to pay attention to the graduation and transfer rate of the community college. These two rates are representative of how well a student does in school and their chances of transferring into the schools of their choice (also pay attention to what classes will transfer to the school of your choice—really helps).
Some schools have strong relationships with major universities and offer honors programs that provide a sort of “backdoor” into these schools.What ultimately matters most is your own academic performance. Keep your head down, work hard and you’ll be able to make it.
The following is a list of some of the top community colleges in California based on graduation and transfer rates. Please note that the cost of attendance varies for those that are in-state residents and out of state residents.
Best Community Colleges in California by size
1. Mt San Antonio College
- Average Net Price:$3,605
- Graduation Rate:38%
- Retention Rate:77%
- Median Earnings:$42,999
Mt. SAC offers associate degrees and certificates in over 190 programs including business, STEM, healthcare, public service, manufacturing, and creative arts. Mt. SAC has transfer guarantees with several UC and CSU campuses to streamline the transfer process after completing an associate degree. As a public California community college, Mt. SAC offers very affordable tuition, around $46 per unit for in-state students. Financial aid is available.
Mt. SAC has highly qualified faculty, with over 70% holding master’s degrees or PhDs in their fields. The student-faculty ratio is 33:1. The campus in Walnut, CA provides access to employment, entertainment, and recreation opportunities in the Los Angeles metro area. Students can participate in competitive athletics programs, theater productions, music groups, cultural clubs, honor societies, student government, and more.
Robust counseling, career guidance, transfer advising, tutoring, work experience education, childcare, veterans services, and disability resources help support student success. Mt. SAC graduates transfer to top universities or have excellent job placement rates thanks to rigorous academics and career preparation.
2. Moorpark College
- Average Net Price:$1,247
- Graduation Rate:35%
- Retention Rate:77%
- Median Earnings:$48,294
Moorpark offers associate degrees and certificates in over 150 programs including business, STEM, healthcare, social sciences, and creative arts. There is a focus on transfer preparation. Articulation agreements ensure easy transfer of credits to UC, CSU, and private universities after completing an associate degree at Moorpark. As a public community college, Moorpark offers very affordable tuition at around $46 per unit for California residents. Financial aid is available.
Small class sizes, around 28 students on average, allow for interaction with experienced faculty. Over 90% of faculty have graduate degrees. Located in a suburb of Los Angeles, Moorpark provides access to entertainment industry resources, employers, and convenient beach proximity. Students can participate in athletics like aquatics and rodeo, performing arts, cultural programs, honor societies, student government, and clubs.
Services like counseling, transfer advising, career guidance, tutoring, EOPS, and programs for student-parents and veterans support student success. Moorpark has excellent transfer acceptance rates to selective universities. Graduates also obtain well-paying jobs in the Los Angeles region.
3. Irvine Valley College
- Average Net Price:$1,627
- Graduation Rate:32%
- Retention Rate:80%
- Median Earnings:$48,288
As a California community college, Irvine Valley offers very affordable tuition rates, allowing students to save money on their first two years of college before potentially transferring to a 4-year university.Irvine Valley provides associate degrees, career-focused certificates, and transfer programs across over 80 fields of study from business to STEM to fine arts.
With an average class size of 35 students, Irvine Valley College provides more individualized attention and peer interaction than the giant lecture halls at many bigger universities. The college’s campus lies conveniently in the city of Irvine, giving residents of Orange County and surrounding areas easy access while maintaining a small college town feel. Irvine Valley guarantees straightforward transfers to UC campuses like Irvine, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Santa Barbara.
4. Golden West College
- Average Net Price:$3,809
- Graduation Rate:38%
- Retention Rate:68%
- Median Earnings:$41,071
Golden West College offers over 120 associate degrees, certificates, and transfer programs in fields like business, criminal justice, healthcare, technology, and the arts.
Articulation agreements ensure smooth transfer of credits to CSU, UC, and private universities after completing an associate degree at GWC.
As a public California community college, GWC offers very affordable tuition around $46 per unit. Financial aid and scholarships are available.
GWC has highly qualified faculty with graduate degrees who are dedicated to teaching and mentoring students. The student-faculty ratio is 32:1.
The campus in Huntington Beach provides access to internships, jobs, entertainment, and recreational activities in the Orange County coastal region.
Students can participate in music and theater productions, compete in athletics, join student government, and engage in over 30 academic and cultural campus clubs.
Services like counseling, career guidance, transfer advising, tutoring, veteran services, disability support, extended opportunity programs, and job placement help promote student success.
Outcomes - GWC has excellent transfer acceptance rates and job placement results. Graduates succeed at four-year colleges and obtain well-paying jobs.
5. College of San Mateo
- Average Net Price:$984
- Graduation Rate:29%
- Retention Rate:73%
- Median Earnings:$50,874
CSM offers associate degrees and certificates in over 100 programs including STEM, business, healthcare, automotive technology, nursing, and skilled trades. Articulation agreements ensure easy transfer of credits to CSU, UC, and private colleges after completing an associate degree at CSM. As a public California community college, CSM offers very affordable tuition around $46 per unit for state residents. Aid is available.
CSM has a highly qualified faculty with over 70% holding master's or doctoral degrees. Student-to-faculty ratio is 23:1. The campus in San Mateo provides access to employers, amenities, recreational opportunities, and cultural attractions in the Bay Area. Students can participate in student government, over 20 clubs like Puente and Umoja, athletics programs, theater productions, music groups, and events.
Resources like counseling, tutoring, transfer advising, career services, EOPS/CARE, food pantry, disability support and more aim to help students succeed. CSM has excellent transfer acceptance rates. Graduates also obtain well-paying jobs at Bay Area employers or continue their education at four-year colleges.
6. Imperial Valley College
- Average Net Price:$1,234
- Graduation Rate:40%
- Retention Rate:74%
- Median Earnings:$32,273
Irvine Valley College:
Offers associate degrees, certificates, and transfer programs in a variety of fields
Has transfer guarantees with UC, CSU, and private schools
- Small class sizes allow for interaction with professors
- Over 85% of faculty hold graduate degrees
- Based in Imperial County, providing access to agriculture and renewable energy jobs and partnerships
- Offers counseling, career/transfer advising, tutoring, veterans services, EOPS, student employment, food pantry, and more
- Excellent transfer acceptance rates
- Graduates obtain well-paying jobs in agriculture, healthcare, business, public/social services
Here are some specific examples of the benefits of attending IVC:
Transfer guarantees: IVC has transfer guarantees with many UC and CSU campuses, as well as private schools. This means that if you complete an associate degree at IVC, you are guaranteed admission to one of these schools.
Small class sizes: Class sizes at IVC are typically small, which allows you to get to know your professors and classmates. This can be helpful for getting help with your studies and networking with other students.
Accredited faculty: Over 85% of IVC's faculty hold graduate degrees in their teaching field. This ensures that you will be learning from experienced and qualified instructors.
7. Ventura College
- Average Net Price:$874
- Graduation Rate:34%
- Retention Rate:73%
- Median Earnings:$41,017
Ventura College offers associate degrees, certificates, and transfer preparation programs across disciplines including business, STEM fields, health sciences, social sciences, and the arts. Articulation agreements ensure easy transfer of credits to UC, CSU, and private universities after earning an associate degree from Ventura College. As a public California community college, Ventura offers very affordable tuition at around per unit for state residents. Financial aid is available. Small class sizes allow for interaction with professors. Over 90% of Ventura College faculty possess graduate degrees.
Students participate in student government, theater productions, music groups like choir and jazz band, Latino/Black student unions, and honor societies. Ventura College offers counseling, career guidance, transfer advising, tutoring, EOPS, disability services, veteran services, TRIO, and more. Excellent transfer acceptance rates to UC and CSU schools.
8. Santiago Canyon College
- Average Net Price:$2,045
- Graduation Rate:29%
- Retention Rate:72%
- Median Earnings:$42,413
SCC offers associate degrees, certificates, and transfer programs across disciplines including business, STEM, health sciences, social sciences, humanities, and more. Articulation agreements ensure easy transfer of credits to CSU, UC, private colleges after earning an associate degree from SCC.
As a public California community college, SCC offers very affordable tuition around $46/unit for state residents. Financial aid available. Small class sizes allow for interaction with professors. Over 80% of SCC faculty possess graduate degrees. Based in Orange, California, SCC provides access to employers, entertainment, outdoor recreation in the Anaheim Hills and Orange County area.
Students participate in Associated Student Government, theater productions, music groups, ethnic/cultural clubs, honor societies, journalism, and more. SCC offers counseling, career/transfer advising, tutoring, assessment, EOPS/CARE, veterans resources, DSPS services, TRIO, and Guardian Scholars. Strong transfer acceptance rates to selective universities. Graduates also obtain well-paying jobs with their SCC education and training.
9. Canada College
- Average Net Price:$3,643
- Graduation Rate:25%
- Retention Rate:68%
- Median Earnings:$49,999
Canada offers associate degrees, certificates and transfer programs in fields like business, STEM, health sciences, social sciences, fine arts, and foreign languages. Articulation agreements ensure smooth transfer of credits to UC, CSU, and private colleges after completing an associate degree at Canada.
Small class sizes allow interaction with professors. Over 85% of faculty possess graduate degrees. Based near Silicon Valley, the college provides access to the technology sector, startups, outdoor recreation, and cultural attractions. Students participate in student government, cultural programs and clubs, music and theater performance groups, athletics, and honor societies.
Services like counseling, transfer advising, tutoring, assessment, disability resources, veterans support, food pantry, and EOPS further student success. Strong transfer acceptance rates to selective universities. Graduates obtain well-paying jobs at Silicon Valley employers or continue their education.
10. Oxnard College
- Average Net Price:$1,104
- Graduation Rate:32%
- Retention Rate:68%
- Median Earnings:$35,555
Oxnard College offers associate degrees, certificates and transfer programs in fields like business, STEM, health sciences, criminal justice, and the social sciences. Transferability - Articulation agreements ensure smooth transfer of credits to UC, CSU, and private universities after completing an associate degree at Oxnard.
Small class sizes promote interaction with professors. Over 85% of faculty possess graduate degrees.
Students participate in student government, cultural clubs, music/theater performance groups, student publications, and honor societies.
Services like counseling, transfer advising, tutoring, assessment, EOPS, and programs for former foster youth support student success.
Strong transfer acceptance rates.
11. Sierra College
- Average Net Price:$2,559
- Graduation Rate:35%
- Retention Rate:67%
- Median Earnings:$39,181
Sierra offers associate degrees, certificates, and transfer programs in fields like business, STEM, social sciences, humanities, public safety, and skilled trades. Articulation agreements ensure a smooth transfer of credits to UC, CSU, and private universities after completing an associate degree. As a public California community college, Sierra offers very affordable tuition around $46 per unit for state residents. Financial aid is available.
Small class sizes allow for interaction with professors. Over 90% of faculty possess graduate degrees. Campuses in Rocklin, Grass Valley, and Roseville provide access to outdoor recreation in the Sierras along with employment opportunities.
Services like counseling, transfer advising, tutoring, assessment, veterans resource center, food pantry, EOPS, and DSPS help students succeed. Strong transfer acceptance rates to selective universities in the UC/CSU systems. Graduates also obtain well-paying jobs in Northern California.
12. Grossmont College
- Average Net Price:$3,377
- Graduation Rate:31%
- Retention Rate:68%
- Median Earnings:$39,952
Grossmont offers associate degrees and career education programs in fields like business, digital media, culinary arts, medical assisting, public health, exercise science, and American Sign Language. Articulation agreements ensure easy transfer of credits to CSU, UC, and private universities after earning an associate degree from Grossmont. Financial aid is available.
Small class sizes promote interaction with professors. Over 85% of Grossmont faculty possess graduate degrees. Strong transfer acceptance rates to selective universities.
13. College of the Sequoias
- Average Net Price:$3417
- Graduation Rate:38%
- Retention Rate:66%
- Median Earnings:$35,288
COS offers associate degrees, certificates, and transfer programs across disciplines including business, STEM, health sciences, agriculture, social sciences, humanities, public services, and skilled trades. Articulation agreements ensure smooth transfer of credits to UC, CSU, and private schools after completing an associate degree at COS.
Small class sizes promote interaction with professors. Over 80% of faculty possess graduate degrees. Campuses in Visalia and Hanford provide access to agriculture jobs and resources in the Central Valley along with outdoor recreation. Students participate in student government, theater productions, music groups, cultural clubs, honor societies, journalism, and athletics.
Services like counseling, transfer advising, tutoring, assessment, EOPS, TRIO, CalWorks, veterans services, food pantry, and more support student success. Strong transfer acceptance rates to four-year universities. Graduates also obtain well-paying jobs in the Central Valley region.
14. Porterville College
- Average Net Price:$3,988
- Graduation Rate:38%
- Retention Rate:61%
- Median Earnings:$33,233
Porterville College offers associate degrees, certificates, and transfer programs across diverse areas including business, STEM, health sciences, criminal justice, social sciences, humanities, and skilled trades.
Articulation agreements ensure smooth transfer of credits to CSU, UC, and private universities after earning an associate degree from Porterville.
Small class sizes promote interaction with professors. Over 75% of faculty possess graduate degrees.
Based in Porterville, the college provides access to agriculture jobs and resources in the Central Valley and outdoor recreation in the Sierras.
Students participate in student government, cultural programs, music groups, honor societies, journalism, and competitive athletics.
Services include counseling, transfer advising, tutoring, assessment, EOPS/CARE, CalWorks, DSPS, student employment, food pantry, and veterans services.
Strong transfer acceptance rates and job placement results. Graduates succeed at four-year colleges and obtain well-paying jobs.
15. Yuba College
- Average Net Price:$2,906
- Graduation Rate:30%
- Retention Rate:50%
- Median Earnings:$35,502
Yuba offers associate degrees, certificates, and transfer programs in fields including business, technology, health sciences, agriculture, creative arts, social sciences, and more. Articulation agreements ensure a smooth transfer of credits to CSU, UC, and private universities after completing an associate degree at Yuba. Financial aid is available.
Small class sizes promote interaction with professors. Over 75% of faculty possess graduate degrees. Campuses in Marysville and Woodland provide access to agriculture jobs and outdoor recreation in Northern California. Students participate in student government, cultural programs, music groups, honor societies, journalism, and athletic clubs/teams.
Services like counseling, transfer advising, tutoring, assessment, EOPS, CARE, CalWORKs, DSPS, TRIO, and veterans services.
Strong transfer acceptance rates. Graduates obtain well-paying jobs in fields like healthcare, technology, education, social services, and agriculture.
If any of the information for your schools is incorrect, please contact [emailprotected] and we will make the correction(s).
If you would like certain information included in your school's description that has not been added, please contact [emailprotected] with the information desired to be included.
Congratulations on making the list for this year's Best Community Colleges in California! Feel free to post the award badge on your site.
Community Colleges in California
The California Community Colleges System (CCCS) consists of 121 community colleges in 72 community college districts. CCCS is the largest system of higher education in the world, serving more than 2.1 million studentsevery year. The CCCS empowers students with the knowledge and skills necessary to compete in today's workplace.
With a wide variety of educational offerings, California community colleges provide certificate and degree programs to prepare students for the workplace or to transfer to four-year colleges.
At California community colleges, students can takecourses in more than 175 different fields of study. These courses can lead students to an associate's degree, transfer to a four-year college or university, ora Career Technical Education (CTE)/vocational certificate.
Starting at a community college is a great and affordable way to complete general education courses and major preparation courses. Following which, students can transfer to a college or university for bachelor degree completion.
The newAssociate Degree for Transfer program (AA-T/AS-T) allows California community college students to more easily transfer to California colleges within the California State University (CSU) system. The program allows students to opportunity to complete both the associate's and bachelor's degrees in only 120 units.
SeeADegreeWithAGuarantee.comfor more information.
California community colleges are also the least expensive, all-around colleges in the nation. Residents currently pay an average of $46 per credit hour. For full-time students at 12 credits per semester, this equates to $552 per semester. Non-California residents pay an out-of-state tuition that typically costs $140-$400 per credit hour.
List of Community Colleges in California
Northern | Southern | Central | Bay Area | Los Angeles Area
Northern CA
AMERICAN RIVER COLLEGE | Los Rios Community College District |
BUTTE COLLEGE | Butte-Glenn Community College District |
CLEAR LAKE CAMPUS | Yuba Community College District |
COSUMNES RIVER COLLEGE | Los Rios Community College District |
EL DORADO CENTER | Los Rios Community College District |
FEATHER RIVER COLLEGE | Feather River Community College District |
FOLSOM LAKE COLLEGE | Los Rios Community College District |
LAKE TAHOE COMMUNITY COLLEGE | Lake Tahoe Community College District |
LASSEN COLLEGE | Lassen Community College District |
MENDOCINO COLLEGE | Mendocino-Lake Community College District |
NAPA VALLEY COLLEGE | Napa Valley Community College District |
REDWOODS, COLLEGE OF THE | Redwoods Community College District |
SACRAMENTO CITY COLLEGE | Los Rios Community College District |
SANTA ROSA JUNIOR COLLEGE | Santa Rosa Junior College |
SHASTA COLLEGE | Shasta-Tehama-Trinity Joint Community College District |
SIERRA COLLEGE | Sierra Joint Community College District |
SISKIYOUS, COLLEGE OF THE | Siskiyous Joint Community College District |
SOLANO COMMUNITY COLLEGE | Solano Community College District |
WOODLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE | Yuba Community College District |
YUBA COLLEGE | Yuba Community College District |
Southern CA
ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY AND EDUCATION PARK (ATEP) | South Orange County Community College District |
ALLAN HANco*ck COLLEGE | Allan Hanco*ck Community College District |
BAKERSFIELD COLLEGE | Kern Community College District--KERN COUNTY |
BARSTOW COLLEGE | Barstow Community College District |
CERRO COSO COMMUNITY COLLEGE | Kern Community College District--KERN COUNTY |
CHAFFEY COLLEGE | Chaffey Community College District |
COASTLINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE | Coast Community College District |
COLLEGE OF THE DESERT | College of the Desert--Desert Community College District |
COPPER MOUNTAIN COLLEGE | Copper Mountain College District |
CRAFTON HILLS COLLEGE | San Bernardino Community College District |
CUESTA COLLEGE | Cuesta College - San Luis Obispo County Community College District |
CUYAMACA COLLEGE | Grossmont / Cuyamaca Community College District |
CYPRESS COLLEGE | North Orange County Community College District |
FULLERTON COLLEGE | North Orange County Community College District |
GOLDEN WEST COLLEGE | Coast Community College District |
GROSSMONT COLLEGE | Grossmont / Cuyamaca Community College District |
IMPERIAL VALLEY COLLEGE | Imperial Community College District |
IRVINE VALLEY COLLEGE | South Orange County Community College District |
MIRACOSTA COLLEGE | MiraCosta Community College District |
MOORPARK COLLEGE | Ventura County Community College District |
MORENO VALLEY COLLEGE (RIVERSIDE CCD) | Riverside Community College District |
MT. SAN ANTONIO COLLEGE | Mt. San Antonio Community College District |
MT. SAN JACINTO COLLEGE | Mt. San Jacinto Community College District |
NORCO CAMPUS (RIVERSIDE CCD) | Riverside Community College District |
ORANGE COAST COLLEGE | Coast Community College District |
OXNARD COLLEGE | Ventura County Community College District |
PALO VERDE COLLEGE | Palo Verde Community College District |
PALOMAR COLLEGE | Palomar Community College District |
PORTERVILLE COLLEGE | Kern Community College District--KERN COUNTY |
RIVERSIDE CITY COLLEGE | Riverside Community College District |
SADDLEBACK COLLEGE | South Orange County Community College District |
SAN BERNARDINO VALLEY COLLEGE | San Bernardino Community College District |
SAN DIEGO CITY COLLEGE | San Diego Community College District |
SAN DIEGO CONTINUING EDUCATION (SDCE) | San Diego Community College District |
SAN DIEGO MESA COLLEGE | San Diego Community College District |
SAN DIEGO MIRAMAR COLLEGE | San Diego Community College District |
SANTA ANA COLLEGE | Rancho Santiago Community College District |
SANTA BARBARA CITY COLLEGE | Santa Barbara Community College District |
SANTIAGO CANYON COLLEGE | Rancho Santiago Community College District |
SCHOOL OF CONTINUING EDUCATION, NORTH ORANGE COUNTY | North Orange County Community College District |
SOUTHWESTERN COLLEGE | Southwestern Community College District |
TAFT COLLEGE | Taft College--West Kern Community College District |
VENTURA COLLEGE | Ventura County Community College District |
VICTOR VALLEY COLLEGE | Victor Valley Community College District |
Central CA
CABRILLO COLLEGE | Cabrillo Community College District |
CLOVIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE (STATE CENTER CCD) | State Center Community College District |
COLUMBIA COLLEGE | Yosemite Community College District |
FRESNO CITY COLLEGE (STATE CENTER CCD) | State Center Community College District |
GAVILAN COLLEGE | Gavilan Joint Community College District |
HARTNELL COLLEGE | Hartnell Community College District |
MADERA AND OAKHURST CENTERS (STATE CENTER CCD) | State Center Community College District |
MERCED COLLEGE | Merced Community College District |
MODESTO JUNIOR COLLEGE | Yosemite Community College District |
MONTEREY PENINSULA COLLEGE | Monterey Peninsula Community College District |
REEDLEY COLLEGE (STATE CENTER CCD) | State Center Community College District |
SAN JOAQUIN DELTA COLLEGE | San Joaquin Delta Community College District |
SEQUOIAS, COLLEGE OF THE | Sequoias Community College District |
WEST HILLS COLLEGE COALINGA | West Hills Community College District |
WEST HILLS COLLEGE LEMOORE | West Hills Community College District |
Bay Area
BERKELEY CITY COLLEGE | Peralta Community College District |
CAÑADA COLLEGE | San Mateo County Community College District |
CHABOT COLLEGE | Chabot-Las Positas Community College District |
CITY COLLEGE OF SAN FRANCISCO | San Francisco Community College District |
COLLEGE OF ALAMEDA | Peralta Community College District |
COLLEGE OF SAN MATEO | San Mateo County Community College District |
CONTRA COSTA COLLEGE | Contra Costa Community College District |
DE ANZA COLLEGE | Foothill - De Anza Community College District |
DIABLO VALLEY COLLEGE | Contra Costa Community College District |
EVERGREEN VALLEY COLLEGE | San Jose / Evergreen Community College District |
FOOTHILL COLLEGE | Foothill - De Anza Community College District |
LANEY COLLEGE | Peralta Community College District |
LAS POSITAS COLLEGE | Chabot-Las Positas Community College District |
LOS MEDANOS COLLEGE | Contra Costa Community College District |
MARIN, COLLEGE OF | Marin Community College District |
MERRITT COLLEGE | Peralta Community College District |
MISSION COLLEGE | West Valley-Mission Community College District |
OHLONE COLLEGE | Ohlone Community College District |
SAN JOSE CITY COLLEGE | San Jose / Evergreen Community College District |
SAN RAMON VALLEY CENTER | Contra Costa Community College District |
SKYLINE COLLEGE | San Mateo County Community College District |
WEST VALLEY COLLEGE | West Valley-Mission Community College District |
Los Angeles Area
ANTELOPE VALLEY COLLEGE | Antelope Valley Community College District |
CANYONS, COLLEGE OF THE | Santa Clarita Community College Dist |
CERRITOS COLLEGE | Cerritos Community College District |
CITRUS COLLEGE | Citrus Community College District |
EAST LOS ANGELES COLLEGE | Los Angeles Community College District |
EL CAMINO COLLEGE | El Camino Community College District |
EL CAMINO COLLEGE COMPTON CENTER | El Camino College Compton Center |
GLENDALE COMMUNITY COLLEGE | Glendale Community College District |
LONG BEACH CITY COLLEGE | Long Beach Community College District |
LOS ANGELES CITY COLLEGE | Los Angeles Community College District |
LOS ANGELES HARBOR COLLEGE | Los Angeles Community College District |
LOS ANGELES MISSION COLLEGE | Los Angeles Community College District |
LOS ANGELES PIERCE COLLEGE | Los Angeles Community College District |
LOS ANGELES SOUTHWEST COLLEGE | Los Angeles Community College District |
LOS ANGELES TRADE-TECH.COLLEGE | Los Angeles Community College District |
LOS ANGELES VALLEY COLLEGE | Los Angeles Community College District |
PASADENA CITY COLLEGE | Pasadena Area Community College District |
RIO HONDO COLLEGE | Rio Hondo Community College District |
SANTA MONICA COLLEGE | Santa Monica Community College District |
WEST LOS ANGELES COLLEGE | Los Angeles Community College District |
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Facts and Resources
California Community College Graduates' Salaries
According to the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office,
- Associate degrees with the highest median incomes five years after graduation are:
- Electrical and Power Systems Transmission ($96,200)
- Physician Assistant ($95,700)
- Radiation Therapy Technician ($91,300)
- The statewide median income for graduates five years after earning an associate degree ina vocational discipline is $61,600. In contrast, the median income for those in the state whosehighest level of education is a high school diploma is about $24,400.
- Nearly 45 percent of California students who graduated with an associate degree earned morethan $54,000 annually five years later. That is the median wage of someone with a bachelor’sdegree living in California.
- About 25 percent of associate degree holders had median wages of more than $77,000 fiveyears after graduating.
Helpful Resources for California Community College Students
CCCApply.org -- find and apply to a community collegein California. CCC Apply is a one-stop solution for finding and choosing a collegeand submitting your college application along with financial aid forms.
ICanAffordCommunityCollege -- follow the step-by-step guide to finding and securing aid to finance your community college journey.
Salary Surfer --comparative information about the earnings of recent graduates who received an award in a specific program area at California community colleges.
California Virtual Campus-- tool for finding online courses and degree programs offered by colleges and universities in California. Make sure that your community college credits transfer to CSU.
Associate Degree For Transfer -- Make sure that your community college credits transfer to CSU.
California Student Aid Commission --Cal Grants are one of the smartest ways for students to get cash for college--it's money that you don't have to pay back.
CaliforniaColleges.edu -- The official source for college and career planning in California. Offers advice and tools for high school, college, career, and financial aid planning.
CollegeBuys --offers up to 85% discounts for students on a wide range of educational products.
HBCU Transfer website-- The California Community Colleges System guarantees admission to transfer students to nine Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
California Career Cafe -- a virtual career center for California community college students.
Who Do U Want 2B? -- provides information on California high school and community college courses, career options, and financial assistance.
California Career Zone --explore exciting jobs and occupations in California and learn about what career path interests you.column_text]column]row]