Las Positas College: $1,168 Tuition

$1,168Tuition

6,766Students

49%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$51,088Earnings

Public2-yearIndependentData: 2023-24

About Las Positas College

Las Positas College serves 6,766 students in California's Tri-Valley region, where tech innovation meets suburban community life. This community college has built a reputation for strong transfer programs and career training that connects directly to the Bay Area's job market. The campus draws students who want affordable education with clear pathways to four-year universities or immediate employment. Nearly 97% of students come from in-state, creating a tight-knit community atmosphere.

Students pay an average net price of $4,175, making this one of the most affordable college options in expensive Northern California. Graduates earn a median of $51,088 ten years after starting, which represents solid value for the investment. Only 14% of students receive Pell Grants, suggesting many families can handle costs without extensive federal aid. The low federal loan rate of 0.24% means students typically graduate debt-free.

The Hawks compete in nine varsity sports with 141 total athletes, though the athletic program doesn't offer scholarships. With a 23:1 student-faculty ratio, classes tend to be larger than at private colleges but still manageable. The school's 48.5% six-year completion rate reflects the reality that many community college students attend part-time while working or raising families.

Academics & Faculty

Las Positas College serves the East Bay with strong transfer programs and career training that reflects the region's tech and healthcare industries. The 48.5% six-year graduation rate is solid for a California community college, where many students take longer due to work and family commitments. Students benefit from a 23:1 student-faculty ratio that allows for personalized attention in smaller classes. The college has built a reputation for its nursing and allied health programs, which prepare students for the Bay Area's robust healthcare sector. Many students use Las Positas as a stepping stone to UC and CSU campuses, taking advantage of transfer agreements that guarantee admission to four-year universities.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 23:1
Full-Time Faculty: 39.5%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 48.5%
Median Earnings (10 years): $51,088

Campus Life

The 6,766-student campus sits in Livermore, about 45 miles east of San Francisco in the heart of California's wine country. Students need sunscreen more than winter coats in this Mediterranean climate where temperatures rarely dip below 40 degrees. The college draws 97% of its students from California, creating a decidedly local feel among the commuter population.

As a community college, Las Positas has no dorms, so students drive to campus from throughout the Tri-Valley area. The 23:1 student-faculty ratio means classes fill up quickly, but the semester system allows flexibility for working students. With 141 athletes competing in nine varsity sports as the Hawks, there's modest school spirit despite the commuter culture. Weekends typically see students heading home or to nearby San Francisco rather than staying on campus. The surrounding area offers internship opportunities in tech companies that have expanded into the East Bay, helping explain why graduates earn a median $51,088 ten years out. Only 14% receive financial aid, reflecting the relatively affluent regional population.

Setting: City-Small
Calendar System: Semester
Founded: 1963

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 37°–56°F
July Avg: 57°–87°F
Annual Precipitation: -124.6"
Annual Snowfall: 0.0"

Student Demographics

Las Positas College draws students from across the East Bay who want quality education close to home. Nearly all students come from California, reflecting the college's strong ties to local communities in Livermore and surrounding areas. The student body splits almost evenly between men and women, typical for a full community college offering diverse career and transfer programs. Students represent the multicultural makeup of the Bay Area, with significant Hispanic, Asian, and white populations creating a diverse learning environment. The college serves as an accessible stepping stone for local residents pursuing career training or four-year degrees.

Men: 48.5%
Women: 51.5%
White: 30.2%
Black: 4.2%
Hispanic: 30.3%
Asian: 24.2%
In-State Students: 97.1%
Pell Grant Recipients: 14.2%

Location

Las Positas College serves Livermore, California, a city of about 90,000 people located 45 miles east of San Francisco in the Tri-Valley region. The campus sits in wine country, surrounded by rolling hills and vineyards that define this part of Alameda County. Livermore hosts two major national laboratories and maintains a small-town feel despite its proximity to the Bay Area's tech corridor. The 97.10% in-state enrollment reflects the college's role as a local community institution. Students benefit from the area's mild Mediterranean climate and access to both outdoor recreation and metropolitan opportunities. Students considering colleges in California may also compare Las Positas College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Livermore, California 94551-7650

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years): $51,088
Median Earnings (5 years): $53,212
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $35,600
Loan Repayment Rate: 50.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Las Positas College?

Las Positas College has an open enrollment policy typical of California community colleges, meaning they accept all students who meet basic requirements. The college serves 6,766 students and focuses on providing accessible higher education to the East Bay community. Most students are California residents, with 97.10% coming from in-state.

How much does Las Positas College cost after financial aid?

Students at Las Positas College pay an average net price of $4,175 after aid, making it highly affordable. In-state tuition is just $1,168, while students from families earning under $30,000 pay only $2,914 net. The college keeps costs low as part of California's community college mission to provide accessible education.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Las Positas College?

Las Positas College maintains a 23:1 student-faculty ratio, which is typical for community colleges. The college operates on a semester system and focuses on transfer preparation and career training programs. Students benefit from smaller class sizes compared to large universities while preparing for four-year transfers or entering the workforce.

What are the job prospects for Las Positas College graduates?

Graduates achieve an 85.1% employment rate, reflecting the college's strong career preparation programs. The median earnings reach $51,088 ten years after enrollment, demonstrating solid long-term outcomes for a two-year institution. The college serves the economically diverse Tri-Valley region, preparing students for both local employment and transfer to four-year universities.

Where is Las Positas College located and what is the campus like?

Las Positas College sits in Livermore, California, a small city in the East Bay known for its wine country and national laboratories. The campus serves a diverse student body that is 30.15% White, 30.28% Hispanic, and 24.21% Asian. The Hawks compete in 9 varsity sports with 141 total athletes, though the college offers no athletic scholarships.

Does Las Positas College have a good graduation rate?

Las Positas College reports a 48.50% six-year graduation rate, which is solid for a community college where many students attend part-time or transfer before completing degrees. Founded in 1963, the college has built a reputation for serving working adults and transfer students. Only 14.19% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating the college serves a mix of income levels in the affluent Tri-Valley area.