- Sierra College provides a supportive learning environment to students with diverse goals, abilities, and needs. The College's programs and services promote personal and professional success, leadership, critical thinking, civic responsibility, and innovation. Its students will become contributing citizens of the complex and changing communities in which they live and work.
School Highlights
Sierra College serves 19,125 students (35% of students are full-time).
The college's student-teacher ratio of 42:1 is lower than the state community college average of 44:1.
Minority enrollment is 45% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the state average of 77%.
Quick Facts (2026)
- Enrollment: 19,125 students
- In-state tuition: $1,150
- Out-state tuition: $6,190
- Student-teacher ratio: 42:1
- Minority enrollment: 45%
- Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
Top Rankings
Sierra College ranks among the top 20% of public schools in California for:
Category
Attribute
Community Size
School Overview
The teacher population of 453 teachers has declined by 43% over five years.
Sierra College
(CA) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associate's Colleges
0
Institution Level
At least 2 but less than 4 years
0
Institution Control
Public
0
Total Faculty
453 staff
72 staff
Number of Programs Offered
-2
8
School Calendar
Student Body
The student population of Sierra College has grown by 9% over five years.
The student-teacher ratio of 42:1 has increased from 23:1 over five years.
The Sierra College diversity score of 0.63 is more than the state average of 0.00. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Total Enrollment
19,125 students
6,838 students
Student-Teacher Ratio
42:1
44:1
# Full-Time Students
6,631 students
1,022 students
# Part-Time Students
12,494 students
5,816 students
# Enrollment Undergraduate
113 students
381 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
6,631 students
967 students
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
96 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
12,494 students
5,798 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
21 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
121 students
140 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
1%
n/a
% Asian
9%
12%
% Hispanic
22%
46%
% Black
3%
7%
% White
55%
23%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
8%
5%
% Non Resident races
n/a
1%
% Unknown races
2%
6%
Diversity Score
0.63
0.00
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
34%
42%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$34,800
$34,700
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
The public in-state tuition of $1,150 is less than the state average of $1,236. The in-state tuition has stayed relatively flat over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $6,190 is less than the state average of $6,577. The out-state tuition has grown by 435% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$1,150
$1,236
Out-State Tuition Fees
$6,190
$6,577
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
81%
85%
Median Debt for Graduates
$15,415
$10,500
Median Debt for Dropouts
$9,500
$6,272
Acceptance Rate
n/a
81%
Source: 2025 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) , School Administrators
School Notes
- Sierra College is a fully accredited, two-year community college located in north central California. We serve Placer, Nevada and portions of El Dorado and Sacramento counties. Our primary campus is located in Rocklin just minutes from Sacramento. Other facilities include our 105-acre Sierra College Nevada County Campus in Grass Valley, and leased centers in Roseville and Truckee. At Sierra College our focus is on student learning and high quality teaching, not research or publication. Sierra College has a national reputation based on excellence in such academic areas as Computer Science, Math, Electronics, Nursing, Early Childhood Education and many more! We are 13th of all United States community colleges in awarding Associate Degrees – 1st in California. We also have the only nationally accredited community college Student Health Center. Our courses focus on the real life application of current issues and technologies, and are primarily taught by instructors with masters degrees in their fields. Many are experts in their fields and currently working in the private sector. Quality instruction contributes to Sierra College being ranked first in Northern California in transfers to the University of California and California State University systems. Online courses are available in our Distance Learning program. These are credit courses which allow you to complete much of your college studies from your own home, using the internet or television.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Sierra College cost?
Sierra College's tuition is approximately $1,150 for In-State students and $6,190 for Out-State students.
What is Sierra College's ranking?
Sierra College ranks among the top 20% of community college in California for: Largest student body.
Recent Articles
Community Colleges and the Creator Economy
Explore how community colleges prepare students for YouTube, podcasting, content creation, and creator economy careers.
AI-Augmented Careers and Community Colleges
Explore AI-augmented careers and how community colleges prepare students with practical skills, credentials, and employer-aligned training.
Catholic School Marketing Strategies in Competitive Choice Markets
Learn effective Catholic school marketing strategies for standing out in competitive school choice markets in 2026.

