Imperial Valley College: $1,126 Tuition

$1,126Tuition

6,881Students

46%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$34,487Earnings

Public2-yearIndependentData: 2023-24

About Imperial Valley College

Imperial Valley College serves the agricultural heart of Southern California's desert region. The college enrolls 6,881 students in a rural setting where farming drives the local economy. Nearly 91% of students are Hispanic, reflecting the demographics of this border community near Mexico. The student-faculty ratio of 33:1 means larger class sizes, but the college maintains strong ties to local agriculture and trades.

Students pay an average net price of just $1,697 after financial aid. Half of all students receive Pell Grants, making this one of California's most affordable college options. Graduates earn a median of $34,487 ten years after starting college. The low cost and decent earning potential create solid value for students seeking career training or transfer preparation. In-state tuition costs only $1,126 annually.

The college fields nine varsity sports with 145 total athletes competing as an independent. Housing capacity reaches just 26 students, so most live off-campus in the surrounding Imperial Valley. The 46% six-year graduation rate reflects the challenges many community college students face balancing work, family, and school. Nearly 95% of students come from California, with strong local roots in this tight-knit agricultural community.

Academics & Faculty

Imperial Valley College serves California's agricultural heartland with career-focused programs that match regional industry needs. The college is particularly known for its agriculture and nursing programs, which prepare students for the valley's dominant economic sectors. With 90.82% Hispanic enrollment, IVC has become a vital pathway for first-generation college students in this rural border community. The 33:1 student-faculty ratio means less individual attention than at many community colleges. However, the 46.30% six-year graduation rate reflects the challenges many working students face balancing education with family and employment responsibilities. IVC functions as both a transfer preparation school and a workforce development center for Imperial County's unique agricultural economy.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 33:1
Full-Time Faculty: 56.2%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 46.3%
Median Earnings (10 years): $34,487

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Associate	$65,238
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants.	Associate	$33,565
Biological and Physical Sciences.	Associate	$26,896
Criminal Justice and Corrections.	Associate	$17,794
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.	Associate	$14,759

View all 86 programs →

Campus Life

Imperial Valley College sits in California's agricultural heartland, about two hours from San Diego and close to the Mexican border. With only 26 housing spots for nearly 7,000 students, just 0.4% live on campus. Most students commute from surrounding farming communities where 90.82% of the student body is Hispanic, reflecting the region's deep agricultural roots.

The desert climate means you'll need sunscreen year-round, with summer temperatures regularly exceeding 110°F. Students often schedule classes for early morning or evening to avoid the midday heat. The 33:1 student-faculty ratio means large lecture halls are common, but professors know the local community well. Weekends center around family gatherings and regional festivals rather than typical college parties. Many students work in agriculture or cross-border commerce while attending classes. The campus serves as an educational center for Imperial County's tight-knit farming communities. With 94.27% in-state enrollment and strong local ties, students often see familiar faces from high school in their college courses.

Setting: Rural-Fringe
Housing Capacity: 26 beds
Calendar System: Semester
Founded: 1962

Campus Safety (2023)

2 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

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

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 43°–68°F
July Avg: 77°–104°F
Annual Precipitation: 2.8"
Annual Snowfall: 0.0"

Student Demographics

Imperial Valley College draws overwhelmingly from California's agricultural heartland, with 94% of students coming from in-state. The student body is 91% Hispanic, reflecting the border region's demographics and the college's role serving local farming communities. More than half are women, typical for community colleges where many students pursue healthcare and education programs. Half of all students receive Pell Grants, showing the college's mission to provide affordable education to working-class families in this rural area. The college has built strong ties with local agricultural and healthcare employers who hire graduates.

Men: 45.6%
Women: 54.4%
White: 3.7%
Black: 1.0%
Hispanic: 90.8%
Asian: 0.5%
In-State Students: 94.3%
Pell Grant Recipients: 50.4%

Location

Imperial Valley College sits in Imperial, California, about 120 miles east of San Diego near the Mexican border. The campus serves a predominantly agricultural region known for its desert climate and farming communities. With 94.27% of students coming from in-state, the college draws heavily from the local Imperial Valley area. The rural-fringe setting reflects the region's character as an important agricultural center where students often balance coursework with family farming responsibilities. The area experiences some of the hottest temperatures in California, with vast fields of crops like lettuce and alfalfa stretching across the valley floor. Students considering colleges in California may also compare Imperial Valley College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Imperial, California 92251-0158

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years): $34,487
Median Earnings (5 years): $39,823
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $22,600

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the enrollment at Imperial Valley College?

Imperial Valley College enrolls 6,881 students across its rural campus near the Mexican border. The student body is 90.82% Hispanic, reflecting the demographics of California's agricultural Imperial Valley region where the college serves as a vital educational gateway.

How much does Imperial Valley College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $1,697 annually at Imperial Valley College. With in-state tuition at just $1,126 and 50.42% of students receiving Pell Grants, the college remains highly affordable for working-class families in this agricultural region.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Imperial Valley College?

Imperial Valley College maintains a 33:1 student-faculty ratio, which is typical for community colleges serving large rural populations. The college focuses on career-oriented programs that prepare students for jobs in agriculture, healthcare, and other industries vital to the Imperial Valley economy.

What are the graduation outcomes at Imperial Valley College?

Imperial Valley College achieves a 46.30% six-year graduation rate with graduates earning a median salary of $34,487 after ten years. The college's employment rate of 72.8% reflects its strong connections to local agricultural businesses and healthcare employers in the border region.

Does Imperial Valley College offer on-campus housing?

Imperial Valley College provides very limited on-campus housing with a capacity of just 26 students. Most of the 94.27% in-state enrollment commutes from throughout Imperial County, which spans from the Salton Sea to the Mexican border.

What athletic programs does Imperial Valley College offer?

Imperial Valley College fields 9 varsity sports with 145 total athletes competing independently rather than in a formal conference. The college offers no athletic scholarships, focusing instead on providing affordable education and career training for students in California's southernmost agricultural valley.