Skip to main content
2,270Students
34%Grad Rate (6-yr)
$38,317Earnings
Private forprofit4-yearData: 2023-24

About San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia

San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia trains students for specific careers in healthcare, aviation, and skilled trades. The private career college enrolls 2,270 students in California's Central Valley. Women make up 74% of the student body, reflecting the school's strong nursing and healthcare programs. Nearly all students come from California, with 59% identifying as Hispanic.

Students pay an average of $29,092 per year after financial aid. About half receive Pell Grants, indicating many come from lower-income families. Graduates earn a median of $38,317 ten years after starting college. The typical monthly loan payment is $113, with median debt at $10,674. The employment rate hits 92.5%, showing most graduates find work in their fields.

The school operates with a 28:1 student-to-faculty ratio, typical for career-focused institutions. Only 33% of students graduate within six years, which is low even for for-profit colleges. However, the loan repayment rate of 30% suggests many graduates struggle financially after leaving. Students should weigh the high employment rate against the graduation challenges and modest earnings potential when considering this career-training path.

Academics & Faculty

San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia operates as a career-focused institution designed to get students job-ready quickly. The school specializes in healthcare programs, aviation maintenance, and skilled trades that directly connect to Central Valley employment opportunities. With a 28:1 student-faculty ratio, classes tend to be larger than traditional colleges, reflecting the school's focus on practical training over individualized mentoring. Only 33% of students graduate within six years, typical for career colleges where students often leave early for employment or transfer credits elsewhere. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning in medical assisting, respiratory therapy, and aviation mechanics. Students here prioritize immediate career entry over traditional academic exploration.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio
28:1
Full-Time Faculty
38.5%
Graduation Rate (4-year)
32.9%
Graduation Rate (6-year)
33.9%
Median Earnings (10 years)
$38,317
Carnegie Classification
Associate College (High Career)

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
ProgramLevelMedian Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. Associate $74,747
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. Associate $66,150
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. Associate $58,719
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. Associate $52,107
Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies. Certificate $46,869
Construction Management. Associate $44,170
Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies. Associate $43,798
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
Human Resources Management and Services. Associate $38,289

View all 40 programs →

Campus Life

The campus sits in California's Central Valley agricultural heartland, about 45 minutes from Fresno. With 74% of students being women, the hallways buzz with conversation about nursing rotations and medical assistant clinicals. Nearly 60% of students are Hispanic, reflecting the diverse Central Valley community this career college serves.

Students drive to campus year-round in t-shirts and light jackets - winter temperatures rarely drop below 40 degrees, though summer heat regularly hits 100. The college operates as a commuter school with no residence halls, so 99% of students live locally. Weekend social life centers around study groups for upcoming certification exams and part-time jobs at area hospitals and clinics. Many students balance family responsibilities alongside their accelerated programs.

Class sizes average 28 students per instructor, creating tight-knit cohorts that move through programs together. The aviation maintenance hangar and dental hygiene labs stay busy with hands-on training sessions. Students often grab lunch at nearby strip malls between morning lectures and afternoon lab work, then head home to families and jobs in Visalia's agricultural and healthcare economy.
Setting
City-Midsize

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg
38°–55°F
July Avg
66°–93°F
Annual Precipitation
10.3"
Annual Snowfall
0.1"

Student Demographics

Three-quarters of students are women, reflecting the college's strong focus on healthcare programs like nursing and medical assisting. Nearly 60% of students are Hispanic, making this one of the most diverse career colleges in Central California. The school draws almost exclusively from California, with strong ties to the Central Valley's agricultural communities. Half of all students receive Pell Grants, showing the college serves working-class families seeking practical career training. The demographics align perfectly with San Joaquin Valley College's mission as a regional workforce development center for healthcare and skilled trades.
Men
25.7%
Women
74.3%
White
19.4%
Black
7.0%
Hispanic
59.2%
Asian
5.5%
In-State Students
99.5%
Pell Grant Recipients
49.2%

Location

Visalia sits in California's Central Valley, about 230 miles north of Los Angeles and 45 miles southeast of Fresno. The city of 140,000 serves as the gateway to Sequoia National Park, where students can visit some of the world's largest trees just an hour's drive away. Agriculture dominates this region, with vast farms and dairies stretching across the valley floor. The area offers a small-city feel with lower living costs than California's coastal metros. Nearly all students at San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia come from within California, with 99.48% being in-state residents. Students considering colleges in California may also compare San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia with similar schools in the region.
Address
Visalia, California 93291-9283

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 acceptance rate at San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia?

San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia operates as a private career college with open enrollment for most programs. The school focuses on admitting students who demonstrate commitment to completing career-focused training rather than maintaining selective admissions standards.

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

Students pay an average net price of $29,092 annually after aid, with costs varying little across income levels. About 49% of students receive financial aid, and the typical graduate leaves with $10,674 in debt and monthly loan payments of $113.

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

The student-faculty ratio stands at 28:1 across the college's 2,270 enrolled students. This career college specializes in hands-on training programs in healthcare, aviation, and skilled trades that prepare students for immediate workforce entry.

What are the graduation rates at San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia?

The four-year graduation rate reaches 33% and the six-year rate is 34%. These rates reflect the college's focus on working students and those balancing career training with other responsibilities in the Central Valley region.

Where do San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia students come from?

Nearly all students (99.5%) come from California, with the student body being 74% women and 59% Hispanic. The college serves the diverse agricultural communities of the San Joaquin Valley with career training programs.

What do graduates of San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia earn after graduation?

Graduates earn a median of $32,791 one year after completion and $38,317 ten years later. The employment rate reaches 92.5%, reflecting strong job placement in healthcare, aviation maintenance, and skilled trades throughout California's Central Valley.