Taft College

  • Taft College is committed to student learning in transfer and vocational programs supported by precollegiate basic skills and a wide range of student services. All programs and services are focused on the educational needs of the West Kern Community College District learners.

School Highlights

Taft College serves 3,566 students (33% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 16:1 is lower than the state community college average of 21:1.
Minority enrollment is 67% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the state average of 74%.

Quick Stats (2024)

  • Enrollment: 3,566 students
  • In-state tuition: $1,380
  • Out-state tuition: $7,170
  • Student:teacher ratio: 16:1
  • Minority enrollment: 67%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

School Overview

The teacher population of 222 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Taft College
(CA) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associates Colleges
Associates Colleges
Institution Level
At least 2 but less than 4 years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Public
Public
Total Faculty
222 staff
312 staff
This chart display total faculty of Taft College and community college average number of faculty in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

Student Body

The student population of Taft College has declined by 40% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 16:1 has decreased from 27:1 over five years.
The Taft College diversity score of 0.57 is less than the state average of 0.71. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Total Enrollment
3,566 students
7,900 students
This chart display the total enrollment of Taft College and community college average number of enrollment of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Student : Teacher Ratio
16:1
21:1
This chart display the student staff ratio of Taft College and community college average student staff ratio of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
# Full-Time Students
1,191 students
1,661 students
This chart display the total number of Full-time students enrollment of Taft College and average number of community college Full-time students enrollment of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
# Part-Time Students
2,375 students
6,239 students
This chart display the total number of Part-time students enrollment of Taft College and average number of community college Part-time students enrollment of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
This chart display the Full-time students and Part-time students enrollment breakdown of Taft College.
This chart display community college average Full-Time students and Part-Time students enrollment breakdown of CA.
# Enrollment Undergraduate
240 students
302 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
1,191 students
1,646 students
This chart display the total number of Full-time undergraduate students enrollment of Taft College and average number of community college Full-time undergraduate  students enrollment of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
54 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
2,375 students
6,288 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
10 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
72 students
140 students
This chart display the dormitory capacity of Taft College and the community college average dormitory capacity of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% American Indian/Alaskan
n/a
n/a
This chart display the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan students in Taft College and the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2017-18 school year data.
% Asian
2%
13%
This chart display the percentage of Asian students in Taft College and the percentage of Asian community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Hispanic
56%
45%
This chart display the percentage of Hispanic students in Taft College and the percentage of Hispanic community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Black
4%
5%
This chart display the percentage of Black students in Taft College and the percentage of Black community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% White
33%
26%
This chart display the percentage of White students in Taft College and the percentage of White community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Two or more races
3%
4%
This chart display the percentage of Two or more races students in Taft College and the percentage of Two or more races community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Non Resident races
n/a
3%
% Unknown races
1%
4%
This chart display the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in Taft College.
This chart display the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in CA.
Diversity Score
0.57
0.71
This chart display the diversity score of Taft College and the community college average diversity score of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
34%
35%
This chart display completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of Taft College and community college average completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
n/a
1.92%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$38,400
$34,700
This chart display average graduate earnings (10 Years) of Taft College and community college average graduate earnings (10 Years) of CA by year, disaggregated by student subgroups with the latest 2012-13 school year data.

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

The public in-state tuition of $1,380 is less than the state average of $1,993. The in-state tuition has grown by 25% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $7,170 is more than the state average of $7,120. The out-state tuition has grown by 6% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$1,380
$1,993
This chart display tuition fees for an in-state student of Taft College and the public community college average tuition fees for an in-state student of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Out-State Tuition Fees
$7,170
$7,120
This chart display tuition fees for an out-of-state student of Taft College and the public community college average tuition fees for an out-of-state student of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
89%
86%
This chart display the percent of students who is receiving some financial aid in Taft College and the percent of community college students who is receiving some financial aid in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Median Debt for Graduates
n/a
$10,500
Median Debt for Dropouts
n/a
$6,239
Acceptance Rate
n/a
89%
Source: 2021 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) , School Administrators

School Notes

  • Taft College has been serving its community and students for over seventy-five years. This service has included the tradition of small classes, a focus on learning, strong interaction with faculty and staff, and access. Here students will find a college that engages learners as full partners in the learning process. Taft College's small classes provide the opportunity to work directly with an excellent faculty. Learners at Taft acquire the skills to succeed on their job, at transfer colleges, and in life. Taft College is located in the western Kern County community of Taft with a population of 17,000. The surrounding area brings the total population to about 21,000. The community is in the heart of the Midway-Sunset oilfield, one of the nation's best producing fields. While oil is the leading industry, the area also is rich in agriculture, light industry, and recreation. The campus is located at 29 Emmons Park Drive. Campus buildings are considered excellent structures with adequate space provided for physical education, recreation and athletics. The campus was built in 1956 and originally included classrooms, a library, student union, and administrative offices, marking the first step in separating the college from the high school. Taft College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Taft College cost?
Taft College's tuition is approximately $1,380 for In-State students and $7,170 for Out-State students.

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Quick Stats (2024)

  • Enrollment: 3,566 students
  • In-state tuition: $1,380
  • Out-state tuition: $7,170
  • Student:teacher ratio: 16:1
  • Minority enrollment: 67%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

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Did You Know?

Kern County, CA community colleges have a diversity score of 0.61, which is lower than the national average of 0.70. The most diverse community college in Kern County, CA is California Aeronautical University. Read more about community college diversity statistics in the USA.

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