Madera Community College: $1,334 Tuition

$1,334Tuition

3,852Students

33%Grad Rate (6-yr)

Public2-yearIndependentStudy AbroadData: 2023-24

About Madera Community College

This Central Valley community college serves 3,852 students in California's agricultural heartland. Founded just four years ago in 2020, Madera Community College represents one of the state's newest educational institutions. The school operates on a semester system in a rural-fringe setting that reflects the broader Madera region's farming and food production heritage.

The financial picture here looks remarkably favorable for students. The average net price sits at negative $489, meaning most students receive more in financial aid than they pay in costs. Families earning $48-75K annually pay around $2,917 after aid, while those making $75-110K pay $7,149. Only 18% of students receive Pell Grants, suggesting the student body includes families across various income levels. Federal loan usage remains extremely low at just 0.11%.

Women make up 65% of the student population, while Hispanic students represent 68% of enrollment. The student-faculty ratio of 26:1 reflects the realities of community college budgets. With only 27 total athletes participating in one varsity sport, this isn't a campus driven by athletics. The 33% six-year graduation rate aligns with typical community college completion patterns, where many students transfer before finishing their associate degrees.

Academics & Faculty

Madera Community College serves as a crucial stepping stone for students in California's Central Valley, with 67.78% of its student body being Hispanic. The college offers foundational coursework and transfer pathways to four-year universities, typical of California's community college system. With a 26:1 student-faculty ratio, students receive moderate individual attention in their classes. The 33.20% six-year graduation rate reflects the challenges many community college students face, including work obligations and part-time enrollment common in agricultural communities like Madera. As one of California's newest community colleges, founded in 2020, the institution focuses on serving local workforce needs and providing affordable education with an average net price of negative $489 for students.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 26:1
Full-Time Faculty: 41.1%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 33.2%

Campus Life

Madera Community College serves 3,852 students in California's Central Valley, about 25 miles north of Fresno. The campus sits in agricultural country where students need sunscreen year-round and rarely see rain from May through October. With 67.78% Hispanic enrollment, this is one of California's most diverse community colleges. Students commute to the rural-fringe campus since no dorms exist.

The 26:1 student-faculty ratio means larger class sizes than at four-year universities. Women make up 65.21% of enrollment, reflecting the college's strong nursing and education transfer programs. Founded in 2020, the campus culture is still developing. Students often drive to Fresno for entertainment since Madera offers limited nightlife options. The college fields just one varsity sport with 27 total athletes. Most students work part-time jobs in local agriculture or retail while completing their studies. Weekend social life centers around family gatherings rather than campus events, reflecting the strong community ties in this farming region.

Setting: Rural-Fringe
Calendar System: Semester
Study Abroad: Available
Founded: 2020

Campus Safety (2023)

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

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential	Noncampus	Public Property
Robbery	4	0	0	0
Burglary	1	0	0	0

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 36°–54°F
July Avg: 62°–96°F
Annual Precipitation: -65.5"
Annual Snowfall: 0.0"

Student Demographics

Madera Community College draws heavily from the Central Valley's Latino farming communities, with Hispanic students making up more than two-thirds of enrollment. Women outnumber men nearly 2-to-1, reflecting the college's focus on health sciences and education programs that traditionally attract female students. The student body represents the working-class agricultural region, with many first-generation college students seeking affordable pathways to four-year degrees or career training. As one of California's newest community colleges, founded in 2020, it serves students who previously had limited local higher education options.

Men: 34.8%
Women: 65.2%
White: 17.0%
Black: 2.9%
Hispanic: 67.8%
Asian: 8.1%
Pell Grant Recipients: 18.1%

Location

Madera Community College sits in California's Central Valley, about 25 miles northwest of Fresno. The campus serves a predominantly rural agricultural region where Hispanic students make up 67.78% of the 3,852 enrolled students. Madera itself is a small city surrounded by farmland and almond orchards, far from California's coastal metropolises. The rural-fringe setting reflects the college's mission to serve local farming communities and working families. Students here often juggle coursework with agricultural work or family responsibilities. The area lacks the amenities of larger college towns but offers a tight-knit community atmosphere. Students considering colleges in California may also compare Madera Community College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Madera, California 93638-8321

After College

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How competitive is admission to Madera Community College?

As California's newest community college founded in 2020, Madera Community College maintains an open admission policy typical of community colleges. The school serves 3,852 students in the rural Central Valley, providing accessible higher education to the agricultural region around Madera.

What does Madera Community College cost after financial aid?

In-state students pay $1,334 in tuition, while the average net price is actually negative $489, meaning most students receive more aid than their costs. Students from families earning $48,000-$75,000 annually pay a net price of $2,917, making this one of the most affordable college options in California.

What are class sizes like at Madera Community College?

The student-faculty ratio stands at 26:1, which is higher than many community colleges but typical for newer institutions building their programs. The college focuses on workforce development and transfer preparation for students in California's agricultural heartland.

What is the graduation rate at Madera Community College?

The six-year graduation rate is 33.20%, which reflects the college's mission serving first-generation college students and working adults. Many students transfer before completing their associate degrees or attend part-time while managing work and family responsibilities.

Where is Madera Community College located and what is campus life like?

The college sits in Madera's rural-fringe setting in California's Central Valley, serving a predominantly Hispanic student body that makes up 67.78% of enrollment. With 65.21% women and limited athletics featuring just one varsity sport with 27 total athletes, the focus remains on academics and workforce training.

How new is Madera Community College and what makes it unique?

Founded in 2020, Madera Community College is California's newest community college, created to serve the underserved Central Valley region. Only 18.06% of students receive Pell Grants, and the federal loan rate is just 0.11%, indicating most students pay out-of-pocket or receive state aid rather than taking on debt.