Central Coast College: 490 Students

490Students

89%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$40,823Earnings

Private forprofit2-yearData: 2023-24

About Central Coast College

Central Coast College serves the agricultural heart of California with career-focused programs that prepare students for immediate employment. This small private institution enrolls 490 students in Salinas, where the classroom sizes reflect its hands-on approach with a 25:1 student-faculty ratio. The college has built its reputation around practical skills training, particularly in healthcare and business fields that serve the Central Valley's diverse economy.

Students face significant upfront costs, with average net prices around $26,640 regardless of family income level. However, graduates typically see their investment pay off through steady employment opportunities, earning a median of $40,823 ten years after graduation. The relatively low median debt of $7,476 keeps monthly loan payments manageable at just $79. With an employment rate of 95.3%, the college delivers on its promise of job preparation, though the loan repayment rate of 60.75% suggests some graduates still struggle with their debt obligations.

The student body is overwhelmingly female at 96.12% and primarily Hispanic at 84.90%, reflecting the demographics of California's Central Coast region. All students come from within California, creating a tight-knit community focused on local career opportunities. The impressive 88.70% graduation rate demonstrates that students who enroll here typically complete their programs successfully.

Academics & Faculty

Central Coast College specializes in healthcare training programs, particularly nursing and medical assisting. Women make up 96% of the student body, reflecting the school's focus on traditionally female-dominated healthcare fields. The 25:1 student-faculty ratio means larger class sizes than at traditional colleges, but the school compensates with hands-on clinical training. An impressive 88.7% of students graduate within six years, well above the national average for for-profit institutions. The curriculum emphasizes practical skills over theory, preparing students for immediate entry into the healthcare workforce. With 95.3% of graduates finding employment, the school's career-focused approach clearly resonates with employers in California's Central Valley medical facilities.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 25:1
Full-Time Faculty: 29.0%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 88.7%
Median Earnings (10 years): $40,823

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Accounting and Related Services.	Certificate	$36,992
Business Operations Support and Assistant Services.	Certificate	$35,926
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General.	Certificate	$28,689
Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians.	Certificate	$28,236
Health and Medical Administrative Services.	Certificate	$28,236

View all 12 programs →

Campus Life

Central Coast College sits in Salinas, about 20 minutes from Monterey and an hour from San Jose. The 96% female student body reflects the school's focus on healthcare and beauty programs. You'll pack light jackets for mild winters and layers for cool mornings that warm into pleasant afternoons year-round.

With 490 students, everyone knows everyone on this compact urban campus. The 84.9% Hispanic enrollment creates a predominantly Latino community where Spanish flows naturally between classes. Students often grab lunch at nearby taquerias or study at coffee shops along Main Street. The 25:1 student-faculty ratio means professors remember your name and track your progress closely.

Weekend life stays local since all students are California residents. Many work part-time jobs to offset the $26,640 average cost while building experience in their fields. Study groups form naturally in the tight-knit environment, and the 88.7% graduation rate suggests students stick together through their programs. The agricultural valley setting keeps things quiet, letting students focus on intensive hands-on training without big city distractions.

Setting: City-Midsize

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 41°–63°F
July Avg: 53°–70°F
Annual Precipitation: 15.4"
Annual Snowfall: 0.0"

Student Demographics

Central Coast College draws almost exclusively women, with 96% female enrollment reflecting its focus on healthcare and beauty programs. The student body is overwhelmingly Hispanic at 85%, serving the local Salinas Valley community where many families work in agriculture. Nearly half of students receive Pell Grants, showing the school's commitment to first-generation college students from working-class backgrounds. All students come from California, giving Central Coast a strong regional identity. The demographics mirror the school's mission of training local residents for careers in nursing, medical assisting, and cosmetology.

Men: 3.9%
Women: 96.1%
White: 5.5%
Black: 0.8%
Hispanic: 84.9%
Asian: 1.4%
In-State Students: 100.0%
Pell Grant Recipients: 46.5%

Location

Central Coast College sits in Salinas, California, about 100 miles south of San Francisco in the heart of Monterey County's agricultural region. The city of 156,000 people anchors one of America's most productive farming areas, earning the nickname "Salad Bowl of the World" for its lettuce and vegetable production. Students experience a mid-sized city environment surrounded by fertile farmland, with the Pacific Ocean just 20 miles west and the Santa Lucia Mountains rising to the east. The campus draws entirely from California residents, reflecting its focus on serving local workforce needs. Students considering colleges in California may also compare Central Coast College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Salinas, California 93906

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $40,823
Median Earnings (5 years): $40,487
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $24,800
Loan Repayment Rate: 60.8%
Monthly Loan Payment: $79/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $7,476

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the student body like at Central Coast College?

Central Coast College serves 490 students, with women making up 96.12% of enrollment. The college primarily serves California's Hispanic community, with 84.90% of students identifying as Hispanic, reflecting its mission to provide career training in the diverse Salinas Valley.

How much does Central Coast College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $26,640 annually, with costs remaining relatively consistent across income levels. The college offers institutional grants to 22.24% of students, averaging $4,343, though most students rely on federal aid with 46.50% receiving Pell Grants.

What are class sizes like at Central Coast College?

The student-faculty ratio stands at 25:1, which is typical for career-focused programs that emphasize hands-on training. This private institution specializes in preparing students for immediate entry into the workforce through practical, skills-based education.

What kind of job outcomes can graduates expect from Central Coast College?

Graduates achieve a 95.3% employment rate, demonstrating strong industry connections in the local job market. Ten years after graduation, median earnings reach $40,823, while recent graduates start with median earnings of $34,254, reflecting the college's focus on career preparation.

Where is Central Coast College located?

The college operates in Salinas, California, a mid-size city in the heart of the agricultural Salinas Valley. All students are California residents, with 100% in-state enrollment reflecting the school's role in serving the local community workforce needs.

How successful are students at completing their programs at Central Coast College?

The college boasts an impressive 88.70% six-year graduation rate, well above the national average for two-year institutions. Students graduate with a median debt of just $7,476 and manageable monthly loan payments of $79, making career training accessible and affordable.