Cerro Coso Community College campus
Cerro Coso Community College logo

Cerro Coso Community College

Type 2 year, Public
Campus locale Rural: Fringe
Degrees offered Undergraduate
Calendar system Semester
Student body size Small
Student to faculty ratio 22 to 1
Students retention rate 63%
On-time graduation rate 27%

Located in Ridgecrest, California, Cerro Coso Community College is a public, institution that offers undergraduate degrees. The college operates on a semester-based calendar system, providing students with structured academic terms.

One of the notable aspects of Cerro Coso Community College is its open admission policy. This means that all high school graduates and individuals who hold a GED qualification are eligible to apply for admission. This inclusive approach allows a wide range of students to pursue their higher education goals, regardless of their academic background.

Cerro Coso Community College is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, ensuring that the institution meets certain standards of quality and effectiveness. This accreditation also allows students to transfer credits to other accredited institutions if they choose to continue their education elsewhere.

While the on-time graduation rate at Cerro Coso Community College is reported to be 27%, it is essential to consider the context of this statistic. For comparison, California state's graduation rate for the 2021-2022 was 56% whereas the national average was 35%.

The student retention rate of 63% at Cerro Coso Community College suggests that a significant percentage of students choose to continue their studies at the institution after their first-year.


  • Accredited by: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges

In-State Tuition & Fees

$1,384

Cost of attendance at Cerro Coso Community College in 2022 for students from California.

See how the college's in-state sticker price compares to 2 year , public colleges in the state as well as nationally.

California's average $6,749
National average $4,604

Out-of-State Tuition & Fees

$9,334

Cost of attendance at Cerro Coso Community College in 2022 for the out-of-state and international students

See how the college's out-of-state sticker price compares to 2 year , public colleges in the state as well as nationally.

California's average $20,840
National average $8,757

Average Grant & Scholarships

In 2022, 80 of freshman students at Cerro Coso Community College received on average $3,505 in grant and scholarships from the college, the state and/or the federal government. Below is detail stats of the aid provided to full-time, freshman students.

$3,505
Students Receiving Aid Average Amount Total Amount
Pell Grant 52 25% $5,164 $268,508
Other Federal Grant 53 26% $6,484 $343,630
State Grant/Scholarships 152 75% $1,496 $227,322
Institutional Grant/Scholarships 1 0% $400 $400
Total Grant & Scholarships 163 80% $3,505 $571,352

Graduation Rate

The following chart shows the graduation rate of Cerro Coso Community College students who enrolled in 2018 and after. The stat covers all undergraduates registered as full-time students to study a 4-year bachelor's degree program for the first time.

The breakdown shows the graduation rate by race/ethnicity of US students. All international students are represented under one group.

As of August 31, 2021, the average graduation rate of Cerro Coso Community College students is 26.7%. Female students graduated at a rate of 24.0%, whereas male students graduated at a rate of 29.1%.

26.7%

  • asian 33.3% 4 students
  • African American 39.1% 9 students
  • white 26.0% 20 students
  • hispanic 22.8% 18 students
  • Mixed Race 31.8% 7 students

Service Offerings

Cerro Coso Community College provides the following additional services to its students
  • On-campus day care for students' children
  • Remedial services
  • Placement services for graduates
  • Academic/career counseling services
  • Employment services for students

Educational Offerings

Cerro Coso Community College offers educational programs in the following categories. Check the programs section to learn more about specific programs that you are interested in.
  • Academic
  • Occupational
  • Postbaccalaureate Recreational or avocational education
  • Adult basic remedial or high school equivalent

Special Learning Opportunities

  • Weekend/evening classes

Veteran Services

  • Member of Service-members Opportunity Colleges
  • Dedicated point of contact for support services for veterans, military service-members, and their families
  • Credit for military training

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