Lassen Community College: $1,144 Tuition

$1,144Tuition

1,564Students

29%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$35,994Earnings

Public2-yearIndependentData: 2023-24

About Lassen Community College

Lassen Community College serves the rugged northeastern corner of California from its base in Susanville, a town surrounded by mountains and forests. The college enrolls 1,564 students who come primarily for career training and transfer preparation. Founded in 1925, this small institution has deep roots in the region's agricultural and natural resource industries. The campus sits in a remote setting where outdoor recreation opportunities abound, attracting students who value small-class learning in a tight-knit community. With a 14:1 student-faculty ratio, professors know students by name rather than student ID number.

The financial picture reveals both opportunity and challenge. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay just $6,165 net price annually, making college accessible to rural families. However, graduates earn a median of $35,994 ten years after starting, which creates financial strain given the modest earnings potential. Only 30.51% of borrowers successfully repay their loans, reflecting the economic realities of rural California employment.

The student body skews heavily male at 66.24%, reflecting the region's workforce needs in fields like forestry and agriculture. The Cougars compete in 11 varsity sports with 130 total athletes, though the college offers no athletic scholarships. Most students commute, as campus housing accommodates only 114 residents.

Academics & Faculty

Lassen Community College serves a predominantly male student body (66%) in California's remote northeast corner, focusing on career preparation and transfer pathways. The 14:1 student-faculty ratio provides personalized attention crucial for the college's mission of serving rural students who often need extra academic support. However, the 28.6% six-year graduation rate reflects the challenges many community college students face, including working while attending school and stopping out for financial reasons. The college emphasizes vocational training programs suited to the region's needs, including forestry, agriculture, and correctional officer training. Students benefit from small class sizes but must stay motivated to complete their programs in an isolated setting where distractions and competing priorities can derail academic progress.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 14:1
Full-Time Faculty: 39.5%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 28.6%
Median Earnings (10 years): $35,994

Campus Life

The Sierra Nevada foothills shape daily life at this remote California community college where just 7% of the 1,564 students live in the limited on-campus housing. Susanville sits three hours from both Reno and Sacramento, creating a tight-knit campus community where the 14:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name. Winter temperatures drop below freezing and snow is common, so students pack heavy coats alongside their textbooks.

Men outnumber women 66% to 33%, and many students come from the surrounding rural counties for agriculture, fire technology, and correctional officer training programs. The 130 student-athletes across 11 varsity sports provide weekend entertainment, though many students work part-time jobs in town or commute from nearby communities. Campus traditions center around the rugged outdoor lifestyle, with students often heading to nearby lakes for fishing or hiking between classes. The small-town setting means most social life happens either on the compact campus or at local businesses where students and longtime residents mix freely.

Setting: Town-Remote
Housing Capacity: 114 beds
Calendar System: Semester
Founded: 1925

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 22°–42°F
July Avg: 53°–88°F
Annual Precipitation: 13.0"
Annual Snowfall: 109.3"

Student Demographics

Lassen Community College draws students from across California's rural northeast, with 83% coming from in-state. The school serves a heavily male student body at 66%, reflecting strong programs in trades, agriculture, and public safety that attract men to this remote mountain region. Nearly one-third of students are Hispanic, making it a diverse campus despite its small-town setting. The college functions as an educational anchor for working-class families in Lassen County and surrounding areas. Students typically come seeking career training or affordable transfer preparation before moving on to four-year universities.

Men: 66.2%
Women: 33.8%
White: 42.0%
Black: 9.6%
Hispanic: 31.8%
Asian: 4.0%
In-State Students: 83.2%
Pell Grant Recipients: 13.3%

Location

Susanville sits in northeastern California's high desert, about 85 miles northwest of Reno, Nevada. The town of 16,000 residents serves as the seat of Lassen County, surrounded by rugged mountain terrain and pine forests. Students experience four distinct seasons at 4,200 feet elevation, with snowy winters and warm, dry summers. The remote setting means the nearest major shopping or entertainment lies hours away in Reno or Sacramento. Lassen Community College draws 83% of its students from California, primarily from the rural communities scattered across this sparsely populated region. The area offers outdoor recreation like fishing, hunting, and hiking in nearby Lassen Volcanic National Park. Students considering colleges in California may also compare Lassen Community College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Susanville, California 96130

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years): $35,994
Median Earnings (5 years): $47,367
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $25,300
Loan Repayment Rate: 30.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements at Lassen Community College?

Lassen Community College maintains an open admission policy typical of California community colleges, welcoming students regardless of academic background. The college serves 1,564 students in the remote town of Susanville, providing accessible higher education to rural Northern California. With 83.22% of students coming from in-state, the college primarily serves local and regional residents.

How much does Lassen Community College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $7,677 annually at Lassen Community College. In-state tuition costs just $1,144, making it highly affordable for California residents. Only 13.34% of students receive financial aid, reflecting the already low cost structure of this community college.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Lassen Community College?

Lassen Community College maintains a 14:1 student-faculty ratio, providing relatively personalized attention for a community college. The college operates on a semester system and focuses on career preparation and transfer programs. This smaller ratio helps support students in the rural setting where additional academic resources may be limited.

What are the graduation rates and earnings outcomes at Lassen Community College?

Lassen Community College has a 28.60% six-year graduation rate, which reflects the typical completion patterns at community colleges where many students attend part-time or transfer before completing degrees. Graduates earn a median of $35,994 ten years after enrollment. The college serves a diverse population with 31.78% Hispanic students and prepares graduates for both workforce entry and four-year transfer.

Does Lassen Community College offer on-campus housing?

Lassen Community College provides limited on-campus housing with a capacity of just 114 students. Room and board costs $12,300 annually for those who live on campus. The small housing capacity reflects the college's role serving primarily local commuter students in the Susanville area.

What athletic programs does Lassen Community College offer?

Lassen Community College fields 11 varsity sports teams competing as independent athletics with 130 total student-athletes. The Cougars do not offer athletic scholarships, typical of many small community colleges. The athletic programs provide opportunities for student engagement in the remote Northern California setting where the college serves as a community center.