Foothill College: $1,565 Tuition

$1,565Tuition

10,922Students

60%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$57,072Earnings

Public4-yearIndependentStudy AbroadData: 2023-24

About Foothill College

Foothill College serves as a launching pad for Silicon Valley careers, drawing 10,922 students to its Los Altos Hills campus. This community college has built a reputation for strong transfer programs and career training that connects directly to the tech industry surrounding it. The quarter system keeps students moving quickly through coursework. Nearly 84% of students come from California, creating a home-state community feel in the heart of one of the world's most expensive regions.

The financial picture tells a compelling story for California residents paying just $1,565 in tuition. After financial aid, the average net price drops to $7,549, making this one of the most affordable paths to higher education in the Bay Area. Graduates earn a median of $57,072 ten years later, while carrying only $10,500 in debt with monthly payments of $111. The employment rate hits 92.5%, reflecting strong job placement in the region's robust economy.

The student body reflects Silicon Valley's diversity, with 32% Hispanic students, 24% Asian students, and 28% white students. With 10 varsity sports and 206 athletes competing as the Owls, campus life extends beyond academics. The 22:1 student-faculty ratio means larger classes, but the focus remains on practical skills and transfer preparation.

Academics & Faculty

Foothill College serves as a Silicon Valley gateway for students pursuing tech careers and four-year transfer pathways. The community college enrolls 10,922 students with a 22:1 student-faculty ratio that reflects typical class sizes for this type of institution. Students achieve a 58.42% four-year graduation rate, which is strong for a community college where many attend part-time or transfer before completing degrees. The school has built a reputation for its computer science and engineering programs that feed directly into nearby tech companies. Students also benefit from robust transfer agreements with University of California and California State University systems. The quarter system allows flexibility for working students in the expensive Bay Area market.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 22:1
Full-Time Faculty: 33.7%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 58.4%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 60.0%
Median Earnings (10 years): $57,072

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Campus Life

Foothill College sprawls across Silicon Valley's hills just 40 miles south of San Francisco, where students enjoy year-round mild weather that rarely requires more than a light jacket. The 10,922 students commute to this community college campus in Los Altos Hills, one of California's wealthiest suburbs. With no on-campus housing, the student body of 83% California residents drives in from across the Bay Area each day.

The quarter system keeps academics moving quickly, with a 22:1 student-faculty ratio that's typical for community colleges. Students split between transfer preparation and career training programs, reflected in the diverse post-graduation outcomes where median earnings jump from $44,000 after six years to $78,860 after five years. Weekend life centers around the surrounding tech center rather than campus activities. The 206 student athletes compete in 10 varsity sports as independent Owls, though athletics take a backseat to academics for most students. Many work part-time jobs at nearby tech companies while completing their degrees.

Setting: Suburb-Large
Calendar System: Quarter
Study Abroad: Available
Founded: 1957

Campus Safety (2023)

1 total reported incident. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential	Noncampus	Public Property
Burglary	1	0	0	0

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 40°–54°F
July Avg: 57°–80°F
Annual Precipitation: 42.2"
Annual Snowfall: 0.0"

Student Demographics

Foothill College draws heavily from Silicon Valley families, with 84% of students coming from California. The student body reflects the region's diversity, with significant Asian, Hispanic, and white populations creating a multicultural learning environment. More than half the students are men, likely drawn to the college's strong technology and engineering transfer programs that feed into nearby tech companies. Only 8% receive Pell Grants, indicating the school primarily serves middle-class families from affluent Los Altos Hills and surrounding communities who value affordable education pathways.

Men: 52.5%
Women: 47.5%
White: 28.0%
Black: 3.3%
Hispanic: 32.3%
Asian: 23.7%
In-State Students: 83.8%
Pell Grant Recipients: 8.4%

Location

Foothill College sits in Los Altos Hills, California, about 40 miles south of San Francisco in the heart of Silicon Valley. The campus occupies rolling hills in one of the nation's wealthiest suburbs, where median home prices exceed $3 million. Students drive past tech campuses of Apple, Google, and Meta on their way to class. The college draws 83.82% of its students from California, mostly from nearby Bay Area communities. Los Altos Hills maintains strict development codes that preserve its rural character despite being surrounded by tech headquarters. The area offers hiking trails in the nearby Santa Cruz Mountains and quick access to both San Francisco and San Jose. Students considering colleges in California may also compare Foothill College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Los Altos Hills, California 94022

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years): $57,072
Median Earnings (5 years): $78,860
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $44,000
Loan Repayment Rate: 44.2%
Monthly Loan Payment: $111/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $10,500

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements for Foothill College?

Foothill College maintains an open admission policy as a community college, welcoming students with a high school diploma or equivalent. The college serves 10,922 students and is particularly known for its strong transfer programs to four-year universities in Silicon Valley.

How much does Foothill College cost for California residents?

In-state tuition at Foothill College is just $1,565 per year, making it one of the most affordable educational options in expensive Silicon Valley. The average net price is $7,549, and only 8.43% of students receive financial aid, reflecting the college's already low cost structure.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Foothill College?

Foothill College has a 22:1 student-faculty ratio across its campus in Los Altos Hills. The college operates on a quarter system and is recognized for its modern programs in technology and health sciences that align with local industry needs.

What are the graduation and employment outcomes at Foothill College?

Foothill College achieves a 58.42% four-year graduation rate, which is strong for a community college. Graduates earn a median salary of $57,072 ten years after enrollment, and the college maintains a 92.5% employment rate for its alumni.

Where is Foothill College located and what is the campus like?

Foothill College sits in the affluent hills of Los Altos Hills, California, in a large suburban setting near Silicon Valley tech companies. The campus serves a diverse student body that is 32.31% Hispanic, 27.96% White, and 23.70% Asian, with 83.82% of students coming from California.

Does Foothill College offer athletics and what sports are available?

Foothill College fields 10 varsity sports teams with 206 total student-athletes competing as the Owls. The college competes as an independent and offers no athletic scholarships, focusing instead on providing recreational and competitive opportunities for students in the heart of Silicon Valley.