The mission of Cerro Coso Community College is to provide high quality degree and certificate curricula in lower division arts and sciences and in vocational/ technical/ occupational education. Essential to this mission is providing support services which enhance student opportunities for success. As part of this mission, the college will respond to the interests, aspirations, and capabilities of students while encouraging them to develop as useful, contributing members of society.
School Highlights
Cerro Coso Community College serves 5,607 students (17% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 29:1 is higher than the state community college average of 24:1.
Minority enrollment is 63% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the state average of 77%.
Quick Stats (2022-23)
Enrollment: 5,607 students
In-state tuition: $1,290
Out-state tuition: $7,086
Student:teacher ratio: 29:1
Minority enrollment: 63%
Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
The student population of Cerro Coso Community College has grown by 18% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 29:1 has decreased from 52:1 over five years.
The Cerro Coso Community College diversity score of 0.68 is less than the state average of 0.70. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Total Enrollment
5,607 students
8,365 students
Student : Teacher Ratio
29:1
24:1
# Full-Time Students
937 students
2,015 students
# Part-Time Students
4,670 students
6,350 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
140 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
2%
n/a
% Asian
4%
12%
% Hispanic
42%
47%
% Black
7%
6%
% White
37%
23%
% Two or more races
5%
4%
% Non Resident races
n/a
2%
% Unknown races
2%
6%
Diversity Score
0.68
0.70
College Completion Rate
26%
32%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$31,200
$34,700
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
The public in-state tuition of $1,290 is less than the state average of $1,997. The in-state tuition has stayed relatively flat over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $7,086 is less than the state average of $7,123. The out-state tuition has declined by 8% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$1,290
$1,997
Out-State Tuition Fees
$7,086
$7,123
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
77%
79%
Median Debt for Graduates (Year 2008)
$6,787
$6,625
Median Debt for Dropouts
$3,500
$3,500
Acceptance Rate
n/a
89%
Source: 2020 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) , School Administrators
School Notes
Cerro Coso Community College was established in 1973 as a separate
college within the Kern Community College District. Cerro Coso has
five instructional sites (Eastern Sierra Center Bishop & Mammoth,
Indian Wells Valley, Kern River Valley, and South Kern), which
together form the largest geographical service area (18,000 square
miles) of any community college in California and which serve a
population of approximately 85,000. A leader in online education,
Cerro Coso has been offering online classes since 1997 and offers 9
Associate's degrees entirely online and as many as 100+ classes
online each year, with approximately 100 sections per semester. The
320-acre Indian Wells Valley Campus is located in the upper Mojave
Desert in the community of Ridgecrest, with a population of 28,000.
Ridgecrest is located 130 miles northeast of Los Angeles and 120
miles east of Bakersfield. Cerro Coso Community College is
accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior
Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The college
and its programs are also approved by the California Community
College Board of Governors, the California Board of Licensed
Vocational Nurse and Psychiatric Examiners, and the California
Department of Education for the enrollment of veterans. The
University of California and other universities and colleges give
full credit to appropriate lower division courses completed at
Cerro Coso Community College. CCOnline, Cerro Coso Community
College's virtual campus, currently offers associate degrees
online, the general education courses necessary to meet transfer
requirements to a four year institution, and student support
services. CCOnline has an international reputation for excellence
and provides an extraordinary opportunity for those too distant
from a community college or too involved in business or family to
pursue higher education during traditional hours.
Nearby Schools
The nearest community college to Cerro Coso Community College is Barstow Community College (60.2 miles away)
No matter where you choose to go to college you'll have to take some kind of standardized test. The GRE is often required for graduate programs, but it may also benefit your community college application.
Education becomes more expensive with each passing year so it is important to make smart use of your student loans and to minimize your debt while you are in school whenever possible.
Quick Stats (2022-23)
Enrollment: 5,607 students
In-state tuition: $1,290
Out-state tuition: $7,086
Student:teacher ratio: 29:1
Minority enrollment: 63%
Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
