San Joaquin Valley College-Santa Maria: 163 Students

163Students

49%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$38,317Earnings

Private forprofit2-yearData: 2023-24

About San Joaquin Valley College-Santa Maria

San Joaquin Valley College-Santa Maria focuses on getting students ready for jobs in healthcare, business, and technology. This private career college enrolls 163 students in the mid-sized city of Santa Maria, California. Nearly 90% of students are women, which makes sense given the school's strong programs in medical assisting, dental assisting, and other healthcare fields that traditionally attract more female students. The student body is 75% Hispanic, reflecting the local Central Coast community.

Students pay an average of $20,549 per year after financial aid, with 62% receiving Pell Grants for low-income families. Graduates earn a median of $38,317 ten years after completing their programs, which means the typical student makes nearly twice their annual college costs once they're working. However, the loan repayment rate is only 30%, suggesting many graduates struggle to pay back their debt despite the $10,674 median debt load being relatively modest.

The 27:1 student-faculty ratio means larger class sizes than you'd find at most community colleges. But the school delivers on job placement, with a 92.5% employment rate for graduates. The 49% graduation rate within six years is typical for career colleges, where many students balance work and family responsibilities while completing their programs.

Academics & Faculty

San Joaquin Valley College-Santa Maria focuses on career training rather than traditional academics, with programs designed to get students into healthcare, business, and technology jobs quickly. The school serves a mostly Hispanic student population (75.46%) looking for practical skills they can use right away. With a 27:1 student-faculty ratio, classes are larger than at most community colleges, which means less individual attention from instructors. The 48.90% graduation rate reflects the challenges many students face balancing work and family while completing their programs. Most students here want hands-on training for specific careers like medical assisting, business administration, or computer support rather than a broad education.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 27:1
Graduation Rate (6-year): 48.9%
Median Earnings (10 years): $38,317

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants.	Associate	$41,441
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's Santa Maria campus sits in California's central coast region, about 160 miles northwest of Los Angeles and 65 miles from San Luis Obispo. With only 163 students, this small career college feels more like an extended classroom than a traditional campus. The Mediterranean climate means you'll need light jackets for winter but never heavy coats, with temperatures rarely dropping below 40 degrees or rising above 80.

As a commuter school with 100% in-state students, there's no campus housing or weekend social scene. Most of your 89.57% female classmates are local residents focused on getting job skills quickly. The 27:1 student-faculty ratio means large class sizes for such a small school, but the hands-on healthcare and business programs keep you busy with practical training. Since 75.46% of students are Hispanic and most are working adults or parents, the atmosphere is serious and goal-oriented rather than social. You'll spend evenings studying at home rather than hanging out on campus, with most interaction happening during lab sessions and group projects.

Setting: City-Midsize

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 39°–63°F
July Avg: 53°–72°F
Annual Precipitation: 32.1"
Annual Snowfall: 0.0"

Student Demographics

This small career college draws almost entirely from California and serves a predominantly Latino student population, with 75% Hispanic students reflecting the local Santa Maria community. Nearly 90% of students are women, which makes sense given the school's focus on healthcare programs like nursing and medical assisting where women traditionally make up most of the workforce. With 62% of students receiving Pell Grants, the college clearly serves working-class families looking for practical job training rather than traditional four-year degrees.

Men: 10.4%
Women: 89.6%
White: 11.0%
Black: 2.5%
Hispanic: 75.5%
Asian: 3.1%
In-State Students: 100.0%
Pell Grant Recipients: 62.1%

Location

San Joaquin Valley College-Santa Maria sits in Santa Maria, California, about 150 miles northwest of Los Angeles and 65 miles north of Santa Barbara. This mid-size city of around 110,000 people sits in the heart of California's Central Coast wine country, surrounded by rolling hills and agricultural land. The area is known for its year-round mild climate and proximity to both beaches and mountains. Santa Maria blends small-town feel with access to larger cities, though it's not a traditional college town since 100% of students come from in-state. The location offers students a quieter environment while staying connected to California's major metropolitan areas. Students considering colleges in California may also compare San Joaquin Valley College-Santa Maria with similar schools in the region.

Address: Santa Maria, California 93454-6921

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-Santa Maria cost after financial aid?

The average net price is $20,549 annually, though this varies by family income. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay around $19,811, while those from higher-income families can expect to pay over $25,000. This career college focuses on practical training for healthcare and business fields.

What is the graduation rate at San Joaquin Valley College-Santa Maria?

About 49% of students complete their programs within six years. The school serves a predominantly Hispanic student population (75%) who are often first-generation college students. Most graduates enter healthcare and business careers immediately after completing their certificates or associate degrees.

How much do San Joaquin Valley College-Santa Maria graduates earn?

Graduates earn a median of $38,317 ten years after starting school. Entry-level earnings begin around $32,791 in the first year post-graduation. The college emphasizes career-focused training that leads directly to employment in growing fields like healthcare and technology.

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

The school enrolls just 163 students, creating an intimate learning environment. Nearly 90% of students are women, reflecting the college's strong programs in healthcare fields like medical assisting and nursing. All students come from California, with three-quarters identifying as Hispanic.

Does San Joaquin Valley College-Santa Maria have small class sizes?

The student-faculty ratio is 27:1, which is higher than most community colleges but typical for career-focused institutions. Classes emphasize hands-on training rather than traditional lectures. The small overall enrollment means students often know their classmates well across different programs.

What makes San Joaquin Valley College-Santa Maria unique compared to other schools?

The college boasts a 92.5% employment rate, meaning nearly all graduates find jobs in their field of study. Over 62% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating the school serves students from low-income backgrounds who are seeking practical career training. The focus on healthcare and business programs addresses local workforce needs in the Central Coast region.