San Joaquin Valley College-Trades Education Center

292Students

59%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$38,317Earnings

Private forprofit2-yearData: 2023-24

About San Joaquin Valley College-Trades Education Center

This Fresno trades college focuses entirely on hands-on career training for students seeking skilled labor jobs. With just 292 students, the school operates more like an intensive training facility than a traditional college. The programs center on construction, automotive, and industrial trades that feed directly into Central Valley's agriculture and construction industries.

Students pay an average of $24,093 after financial aid, which creates a challenging financial picture. Graduates earn a median of $38,317 ten years out, but carry $10,674 in debt with monthly payments around $113. Only 30% of borrowers successfully repay their loans on schedule. The employment rate hits 92.5%, showing strong job placement despite the debt burden. Most students receive Pell Grants, with 58% qualifying for federal financial aid.

The student body reflects the agricultural Central Valley, with 57% Hispanic enrollment and 97% male students. Everyone comes from California, creating a tight regional network. The 27:1 student-faculty ratio means less individual attention than at smaller trade schools. Students here are typically focused on getting certified quickly and entering the workforce rather than pursuing further education.

Academics & Faculty

San Joaquin Valley College's Trades Education Center focuses exclusively on hands-on career training programs. The school specializes in automotive technology, welding, HVAC, and diesel mechanics programs that prepare students for immediate employment. With a student-faculty ratio of 27:1, classes tend to be larger than typical trade schools, which can mean less individual attention during technical training. The 58.7% graduation rate reflects the challenges many working adults face completing vocational programs. Students here are almost entirely male (96.6%) and come primarily from Hispanic communities (56.9%) in California's Central Valley. The curriculum emphasizes practical skills over academic theory, with most programs designed to be completed within two years.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 27:1
Full-Time Faculty: 64.3%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 58.7%
Median Earnings (10 years): $38,317

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies.	Associate	$52,107
Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies.	Certificate	$46,869
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

View all 7 programs →

Campus Life

San Joaquin Valley College's Trades Education Center sits in California's Central Valley, where summer temperatures regularly hit triple digits and you'll need sunscreen more than winter coats. The campus focuses purely on hands-on training with a 27:1 student-faculty ratio. Nearly 97% of students are men, reflecting the male-dominated trades the school serves. All 292 students commute from across the Central Valley since there's no campus housing.

The school operates more like a technical training facility than a traditional college. Students spend their days in workshops learning welding, automotive repair, and HVAC systems rather than attending lectures. With 100% of students coming from California, most drive from surrounding agricultural communities. The 92.5% employment rate shows the practical focus pays off. Weekends typically mean work or family time rather than campus activities. The Hispanic majority student body (56.85%) reflects Fresno's demographics. Students here are career-focused adults who see education as job training, not the college experience you'd find at a four-year university.

Setting: City-Large

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 38°–54°F
July Avg: 67°–98°F
Annual Precipitation: 24.3"
Annual Snowfall: -777.7"

Student Demographics

This trades-focused college draws almost entirely men into hands-on career programs. Nearly all students come from California, reflecting the school's role as a local workforce pipeline. The student body is majority Hispanic, serving Fresno's diverse working-class community. Most students qualify for Pell Grants, showing the school attracts those seeking affordable pathways to skilled trades. The demographics align perfectly with the college's mission of training local residents for blue-collar careers that don't require four-year degrees.

Men: 96.6%
Women: 3.4%
White: 21.2%
Black: 3.8%
Hispanic: 56.9%
Asian: 9.9%
In-State Students: 100.0%
Pell Grant Recipients: 58.2%

Location

San Joaquin Valley College-Trades Education Center sits in Fresno, California's fifth-largest city with over 540,000 residents. The campus operates in California's Central Valley, roughly 185 miles southeast of San Francisco and 220 miles northwest of Los Angeles. Fresno serves as the agricultural heart of California, surrounded by farmland that produces everything from almonds to grapes. The city experiences hot, dry summers with temperatures often exceeding 100 degrees. With 100% of students coming from in-state, the college draws primarily from Central Valley communities. The urban setting provides access to internships and jobs in agriculture, logistics, and manufacturing. Students considering colleges in California may also compare San Joaquin Valley College-Trades Education Center with similar schools in the region.

Address: Fresno, California 93727-1501

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 competitive is admission at San Joaquin Valley College-Trades Education Center?

The college has an open enrollment policy focused on trades training rather than selective admissions. With 292 students enrolled, this career-focused institution prioritizes hands-on technical education over academic prerequisites.

How much does San Joaquin Valley College-Trades Education Center cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $24,093 annually after aid. About 58% of students receive financial assistance, with typical monthly loan payments of $113 for those who borrow.

What is the student-faculty ratio like at San Joaquin Valley College-Trades Education Center?

The college maintains a 27:1 student-faculty ratio in its trades programs. This Fresno-based institution specializes in technical education with a curriculum designed for quick entry into skilled trades careers.

What are the job prospects after graduating from San Joaquin Valley College-Trades Education Center?

Graduates achieve a 92.5% employment rate with median earnings of $38,317 ten years after starting. The college's focus on in-demand trades skills helps explain these strong job placement numbers despite the 58.7% six-year completion rate.

What is the campus environment like at San Joaquin Valley College-Trades Education Center?

The student body is 96.6% male, reflecting the college's focus on traditionally male-dominated trades. Located in Fresno, the college serves a diverse population that is 56.9% Hispanic and draws 100% of its students from California.

Is San Joaquin Valley College-Trades Education Center affordable for low-income students?

Students from families earning under $30,000 pay a net price of $23,061, with 58.2% qualifying for Pell Grants. The median debt of $10,674 is relatively low, though the 30.2% loan repayment rate suggests some graduates struggle with payments.