San Joaquin Valley College-Modesto: 590 Students

590Students

61%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$38,317Earnings

Private forprofit2-yearData: 2023-24

About San Joaquin Valley College-Modesto

San Joaquin Valley College-Modesto trains students for immediate entry into technical and healthcare careers through hands-on programs. The private career college serves 590 students in Salida's suburban setting. Students focus intensively on job-ready skills rather than traditional liberal arts coursework. The college emphasizes practical training that connects directly to regional employment opportunities.

Students pay an average net price of $24,617 annually, which remains consistent across most income levels. Graduates earn a median of $38,317 ten years after starting school, making the investment reasonably sound for a two-year program. Most students graduate with $10,674 in debt and monthly loan payments of $113. The employment rate reaches 92.5%, reflecting the college's career-focused mission. However, only 30.16% of borrowers successfully repay their loans, suggesting some graduates struggle financially despite finding work.

The student body is predominantly Hispanic at 62.54%, with men slightly outnumbering women at 54.75%. All students come from California, creating a tight-knit community rooted in the Central Valley. Over half receive Pell Grants, indicating many come from lower-income backgrounds. The 49:1 student-faculty ratio means large class sizes and limited individual attention from instructors.

Academics & Faculty

San Joaquin Valley College-Modesto specializes in career-focused technical and healthcare programs designed to get students job-ready quickly. The college serves a predominantly Hispanic student population (62.54%) with practical training in fields like medical assisting, respiratory therapy, and vocational nursing. Students face significant challenges with a 49:1 student-faculty ratio that limits individual attention. Only 61.10% of students complete their programs within six years, reflecting the difficulties of balancing work and school that many face. The college focuses on hands-on learning rather than theoretical study. Most graduates enter the workforce immediately, with a 92.5% employment rate showing the programs meet local job market needs.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 49:1
Full-Time Faculty: 25.0%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 61.1%
Median Earnings (10 years): $38,317

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies.	Certificate	$46,869
Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies.	Associate	$43,798
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 11 programs →

Campus Life

San Joaquin Valley College's Modesto campus sits in suburban Salida, about 90 minutes southeast of San Francisco. The Central Valley location means hot, dry summers where temperatures regularly hit 100°F and mild winters that rarely require more than a light jacket. With 590 students focused on career training, this campus feels more like a professional training center than a traditional college.

The student-faculty ratio of 49:1 reflects the hands-on, lab-intensive nature of programs here. Most students commute from the surrounding Central Valley communities, creating a practical, get-to-work atmosphere rather than a social campus scene. With 62.54% Hispanic enrollment, the campus reflects the local agricultural region's demographics. Students typically spend weekends working part-time jobs or completing clinical rotations rather than attending campus events. The 92.5% employment rate shows this school's primary draw: students come here to quickly gain marketable skills in healthcare and technical fields, then launch into careers within months of graduation.

Setting: Suburb-Large

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 38°–56°F
July Avg: 62°–95°F
Annual Precipitation: 12.3"
Annual Snowfall: 0.0"

Student Demographics

This private career college draws students from across California's Central Valley who need practical job training without relocating. The student body is 63% Hispanic, reflecting the region's demographics and the school's commitment to serving local working-class families. More than half of students receive Pell Grants, showing the college attracts those seeking affordable pathways to middle-class careers. The slight male majority connects to the school's focus on technical trades and healthcare programs. Students typically come from families where a two-year credential represents significant economic mobility and the first step toward stable employment.

Men: 54.8%
Women: 45.3%
White: 12.0%
Black: 3.6%
Hispanic: 62.5%
Asian: 7.0%
In-State Students: 100.0%
Pell Grant Recipients: 52.8%

Location

San Joaquin Valley College-Modesto sits in Salida, California, a suburban community in the Central Valley about 90 miles southeast of San Francisco. The campus serves students in California's agricultural heartland, where farming and food processing drive the local economy. Modesto anchors this region of roughly 550,000 people, offering urban amenities within reach of both the Sierra Nevada mountains and San Francisco Bay Area. All 590 students come from in-state, reflecting the college's focus on training local residents for regional healthcare and technical careers. The Central Valley's lower cost of living helps offset education expenses, though students still face an average net price of $24,617. Students considering colleges in California may also compare San Joaquin Valley College-Modesto with similar schools in the region.

Address: Salida, California 95368-9090

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

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

The average net price is $24,617 per year, with minimal variation across income levels. About 53% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating this career college primarily serves working-class families seeking technical training.

What is the student-faculty ratio at San Joaquin Valley College-Modesto?

The student-faculty ratio is 49:1, which is quite high for hands-on technical programs. The school focuses on career-oriented healthcare and technical training where students typically learn through practical application rather than traditional classroom instruction.

What are the graduation and employment outcomes at San Joaquin Valley College-Modesto?

About 61% of students graduate within six years, and 92.5% find employment after completing their programs. Graduates earn a median of $38,317 ten years after enrollment, reflecting the school's focus on preparing students for middle-income technical careers.

Where is San Joaquin Valley College-Modesto located and who attends?

The campus is located in Salida, California, a large suburban area near Modesto. The 590 enrolled students are 63% Hispanic and 100% California residents, with a slight male majority at 55%.

How much debt do students typically graduate with from San Joaquin Valley College-Modesto?

The median debt is $10,674, resulting in monthly loan payments of $113 for graduates. However, only 30% of borrowers are successfully repaying their loans, which raises concerns about the financial burden relative to earning potential.

Is San Joaquin Valley College-Modesto a good investment for career training?

Graduates start earning $32,791 in their first year after completion, reaching $38,317 by year ten. The school serves as a pathway to technical careers for first-generation college students, though the high student-faculty ratio and loan repayment challenges require careful consideration.