San Joaquin Valley College-Lancaster: 239 Students

239Students

40%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$38,317Earnings

Private forprofit2-yearData: 2023-24

About San Joaquin Valley College-Lancaster

San Joaquin Valley College-Lancaster trains students for hands-on careers in healthcare, business, and skilled trades. This private career college serves 239 students in California's Antelope Valley, focusing on certificate and associate degree programs designed to get graduates into the workforce quickly. The school emphasizes practical skills over traditional academics, with programs in medical assisting, pharmacy technology, and business administration.

Students pay an average of $23,940 after financial aid, which represents a significant investment for a two-year program. About 60% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating many come from lower-income backgrounds. Graduates earn a median of $38,317 ten years after starting school, though early career earnings are lower at $32,791 after one year. With median debt of just $10,674 and monthly loan payments of $113, the financial burden is relatively manageable compared to four-year colleges.

The student body is predominantly Hispanic (63%) and female (65%), reflecting the demographics of the local Antelope Valley community. Nearly all students (96%) come from California. The employment rate of 93% shows most graduates find work, though the 40:1 student-faculty ratio means less individual attention than at smaller schools.

Academics & Faculty

San Joaquin Valley College-Lancaster focuses on career training programs designed to prepare students for immediate employment after graduation. The school specializes in vocational fields like healthcare, business, and skilled trades that match local job market demands. With a 40:1 student-faculty ratio, students receive less individual attention than at traditional colleges. The 39.7% graduation rate reflects the challenges many working adults face completing their programs. However, the school's 92.5% employment rate shows its career-focused approach works for graduates who finish. Most students pursue certificates and associate degrees in practical fields rather than traditional academic subjects. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on training over theoretical coursework.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 40:1
Full-Time Faculty: 15.4%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 39.7%
Median Earnings (10 years): $38,317

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR).	Certificate	$39,009
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR).	Associate	$34,921
Criminal Justice and Corrections.	Associate	$28,666
Business Operations Support and Assistant Services.	Associate	$26,313
Health and Medical Administrative Services.	Associate	$24,765
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services.	Associate	$23,853
Health and Medical Administrative Services.	Certificate	$22,858
Business Operations Support and Assistant Services.	Certificate	$22,094
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services.	Certificate	$21,861

View all 10 programs →

Campus Life

San Joaquin Valley College-Lancaster operates in the high desert about 70 miles north of Los Angeles. With 239 students spread across a 40:1 student-faculty ratio, expect large class sizes focused on career training. The campus sits in Lancaster's suburban sprawl where summer temperatures regularly hit triple digits and winter nights can drop below freezing.

Most students commute since this career college doesn't offer housing. Women make up 64.85% of enrollment, and 63.18% of students are Hispanic, reflecting the Antelope Valley's demographics. With 96.30% of students from California, weekends often mean heading home or working part-time jobs to manage costs. The $23,940 average net price hits hard when 60.25% receive Pell Grants. Students here are serious about getting job-ready skills quickly. The 92.5% employment rate shows the vocational programs work, even if only 39.70% complete their programs within six years. Expect a no-frills environment where classmates are juggling work, family, and studies to launch healthcare or technical careers.

Setting: Suburb-Large

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
Robbery	0	0	0	1

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 32°–58°F
July Avg: 67°–97°F
Annual Precipitation: 5.9"
Annual Snowfall: 0.0"

Student Demographics

San Joaquin Valley College-Lancaster draws heavily from the local Antelope Valley community, with nearly all students coming from California. The student body is predominantly Hispanic, reflecting the demographics of Lancaster and surrounding areas. Women make up about two-thirds of enrollment, typical for a career college emphasizing healthcare and human services programs. Most students come from working-class backgrounds, with over 60% qualifying for Pell Grants. This vocational school serves as an accessible pathway for local residents seeking practical job training in high-demand fields.

Men: 35.2%
Women: 64.9%
White: 8.0%
Black: 21.3%
Hispanic: 63.2%
Asian: 1.7%
In-State Students: 96.3%
Pell Grant Recipients: 60.3%

Location

San Joaquin Valley College-Lancaster sits in Lancaster, California, about 70 miles north of Los Angeles in the Antelope Valley. The campus serves a student body that is 96.30% in-state residents. Lancaster is part of the high desert region, known for aerospace manufacturing and renewable energy projects. The area offers a suburban setting with lower living costs than Los Angeles but fewer entertainment options typical of major metropolitan areas. Students experience four distinct seasons and wide temperature swings between day and night. The college draws heavily from the local Hispanic community, which makes up 63.18% of enrollment. Students considering colleges in California may also compare San Joaquin Valley College-Lancaster with similar schools in the region.

Address: Lancaster, California 93534-7018

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years): $38,317
Median Earnings (5 years): $38,245
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $29,500
Loan Repayment Rate: 30.2%
Monthly Loan Payment: $113/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $10,674

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the student body like at San Joaquin Valley College-Lancaster?

The college serves 239 students, with women making up nearly two-thirds at 64.85%. Hispanic students comprise the majority at 63.18%, followed by Black students at 21.34%, reflecting the diverse demographics of the Antelope Valley region.

How much does San Joaquin Valley College-Lancaster cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $23,940 annually after aid is applied. About 60.25% of students receive financial assistance, with many qualifying for Pell Grants due to the college's focus on serving working-class families in the Lancaster area.

What are class sizes like at San Joaquin Valley College-Lancaster?

The student-faculty ratio stands at 40:1, indicating larger class sizes typical of career-focused programs. This private college emphasizes hands-on training in healthcare and technical fields rather than traditional liberal arts education.

What kind of career outcomes can graduates expect from San Joaquin Valley College-Lancaster?

Graduates earn a median salary of $38,317 ten years after enrollment, with an employment rate of 92.5%. The college specializes in healthcare and technical programs designed to meet regional workforce demands in the high desert area.

Where is San Joaquin Valley College-Lancaster located?

The campus sits in Lancaster, California, a large suburban community in the Antelope Valley north of Los Angeles. About 96.30% of students come from in-state, drawing primarily from the local region's working families.

How manageable is student debt at San Joaquin Valley College-Lancaster?

Graduates carry a median debt of $10,674, resulting in monthly loan payments of $113. However, only 30.16% of borrowers successfully repay their loans, reflecting challenges common among career college graduates entering modest-paying fields.