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$1,197Tuition
5,536Students
29%Grad Rate (6-yr)
$39,269Earnings
Public4-yearIndependentStudy AbroadData: 2023-24

About Shasta College

Shasta College serves as northern California's gateway to higher education, helping 5,536 students launch careers or transfer to four-year universities. The Redding campus sits in California's north valley, drawing students who want strong transfer programs without the chaos of urban campuses. Faculty focus on getting students job-ready through career training programs that connect directly to local industries. The college maintains deep ties to the surrounding communities, with 87.82% of students coming from in-state.

Students pay an average of $3,743 after financial aid, making this one of California's most affordable college options. Low-income families pay even less, with those earning under $30,000 paying just $2,767 net. Graduates earn a median of $39,269 ten years out, while typical student debt sits at $14,250. The numbers work in students' favor, especially for those using Shasta as a stepping stone to transfer or enter the workforce quickly.

The college fields 16 varsity sports with 279 student athletes competing as the Knights. Women make up 60.42% of the student body, creating a campus culture that feels more collaborative than competitive. The 29.10% six-year graduation rate reflects the community college reality where many students transfer before completing degrees here.

Academics & Faculty

Shasta College serves northern California as a community college focused on preparing students for four-year transfers and immediate career entry. The 26:1 student-faculty ratio means larger class sizes typical of community colleges, though instructors prioritize practical, hands-on learning. The college offers strong programs in nursing, fire technology, and automotive technology that connect directly to regional job markets. About 30% of students complete their programs within four years, reflecting the mix of part-time students balancing work and family commitments. Many students use Shasta as an affordable stepping stone to California State University campuses. The college emphasizes workforce development alongside traditional academic transfer pathways.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio
26:1
Full-Time Faculty
41.5%
Graduation Rate (4-year)
30.3%
Graduation Rate (6-year)
29.1%
Median Earnings (10 years)
$39,269

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
ProgramLevelMedian Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. Associate $72,357

View all 84 programs →

Campus Life

Students at Shasta College experience a commuter campus culture where nearly everyone drives to class each day. Only 126 students live on campus out of 5,536 total enrollment, meaning just 2% of students have the residence hall experience. The campus sits in Redding, about 160 miles north of Sacramento, surrounded by Northern California's outdoor recreation paradise. Winter temperatures rarely drop below freezing, but you'll want layers for the cool, wet season from December through February.

With a 26:1 student-to-faculty ratio, expect larger class sizes typical of community colleges. The 279 varsity athletes compete in 16 sports as the Knights, though the school offers no athletic scholarships. Most students work while attending classes since 91.6% are employed. Weekends often involve hiking in nearby Shasta-Trinity National Forest or enjoying Lake Shasta's water sports. The campus culture centers around transfer preparation and workforce training rather than traditional college social life. Students typically spend two years here before transferring to four-year universities or entering careers with technical certificates.
Setting
Suburb-Midsize
Housing Capacity
126 beds
Calendar System
Semester
Study Abroad
Available
Founded
1950

Campus Safety (2023)

26 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
OffenseOn CampusResidentialNoncampusPublic Property
Aggravated Assault 6 5 0 0
Dating Violence 3 3 0 0
Arson 1 1 0 0
Burglary 1 1 0 0
Fondling 1 1 0 0
Rape 1 1 0 0
Stalking 1 0 0 0

Climate & Weather

January Avg
37°–57°F
July Avg
67°–99°F
Annual Precipitation
33.5"
Annual Snowfall
2.6"

Student Demographics

Shasta College draws heavily from northern California, with nearly 88% of students calling the state home. The student body leans female at about 60%, reflecting strong enrollment in the college's nursing and allied health programs that have built its regional reputation. More than one-third of students receive Pell Grants, showing the college serves as an affordable pathway for working-class families in the Redding area. The diverse mix includes significant Hispanic representation at 20%, mirroring the changing demographics of California's Central Valley region.
Men
39.6%
Women
60.4%
White
59.9%
Black
2.3%
Hispanic
20.0%
Asian
4.7%
In-State Students
87.8%
Pell Grant Recipients
36.6%

Location

Shasta College sits in Redding, California, about 160 miles north of Sacramento in the northern Central Valley. The campus serves a region known for outdoor recreation, with Mount Shasta and Whiskeytown Lake nearby. Redding itself has around 95,000 residents and acts as the commercial center for far northern California. The area attracts students interested in forestry, natural resources, and outdoor recreation programs. Nearly 88% of students come from in-state, reflecting the college's role as a regional community college. The setting offers small-city amenities with easy access to hiking, skiing, and water sports in the Cascade Mountains and Shasta-Trinity National Forest. Students considering colleges in California may also compare Shasta College with similar schools in the region.
Address
Redding, California 96003
Shasta College Main Campus Quad
Shasta College Main Campus Quad
Shasta College Tehama Campus
Shasta College Tehama Campus
Shasta College Health Science University Center
Shasta College Health Science University Center

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years)
$39,269
Median Earnings (5 years)
$75,940
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
$26,100
Loan Repayment Rate
34.1%
Monthly Loan Payment
$151/mo
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,250

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements at Shasta College?

Shasta College maintains an open enrollment policy typical of California community colleges, welcoming students who are 18 or older or have completed high school. The college serves 5,536 students primarily from northern California, with 87.82% coming from in-state. This accessibility makes it a popular starting point for students seeking affordable higher education or career training.

How much does Shasta College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $3,743 annually, making it one of the most affordable college options in California. In-state tuition costs just $1,197, while the total cost of attendance including room and board reaches $7,824. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay only $2,767 net price, reflecting the college's commitment to serving working-class communities.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Shasha College?

The student-faculty ratio stands at 26:1, which is typical for community colleges but means larger class sizes than four-year institutions. The college operates on a semester system and focuses heavily on transfer preparation and career training programs. Students benefit from practical, hands-on learning despite the higher ratio.

What are the graduation and employment outcomes at Shasta College?

The six-year graduation rate reaches 29.10%, while graduates earn a median salary of $39,269 ten years after enrollment. The employment rate hits 91.6%, reflecting strong job placement in the regional economy. However, the loan repayment rate of 34.07% suggests some graduates face challenges managing their debt loads.

Where is Shasta College located and what is campus life like?

The campus sits in Redding, California, a mid-sized suburban community in the northern part of the state. Housing capacity reaches only 126 students, meaning most of the 5,536 enrolled students commute from the surrounding area. The college fields 16 varsity sports teams with 279 total athletes competing as the Knights.

Does Shasta College offer strong transfer programs?

Shasta College built its reputation as a transfer-focused institution serving students who plan to complete their bachelor's degrees at four-year universities. The college's 4-year graduation rate of 30.25% reflects its role as a stepping stone rather than a final destination for many students. Founded in 1950, it has become a cornerstone of higher education access in northern California's rural and suburban communities.