Hartnell College

411 Central Avenue
Salinas, CA 93901
Top Ranked (2024): View Rankings
  • Hartnell College provides the leadership and resources to ensure that all students shall have equal access to a quality education and the opportunity to pursue and achieve their goals. We are responsive to the learning needs of our community and dedicated to a diverse educational and cultural campus environment that prepares our students for productive participation in a changing world.

School Highlights

Hartnell College serves 8,673 students (39% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 21:1 is same as the state community college average of 21:1.
Minority enrollment is 92% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the state average of 74%.

Quick Stats (2024)

  • Enrollment: 8,673 students
  • In-state tuition: $1,420
  • Out-state tuition: $7,060
  • Student:teacher ratio: 21:1
  • Minority enrollment: 92%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Top Rankings

Hartnell College ranks among the top 20% of public schools in California for:

School Overview

The teacher population of 407 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Hartnell 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
407 staff
312 staff
This chart display total faculty of Hartnell 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 Hartnell College has declined by 33% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 21:1 has decreased from 32:1 over five years.
The Hartnell College diversity score of 0.30 is less than the state average of 0.71. The school's diversity has declined by 43% over five years.
Total Enrollment
8,673 students
7,900 students
This chart display the total enrollment of Hartnell College and community college average number of enrollment of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Student : Teacher Ratio
21:1
21:1
This chart display the student staff ratio of Hartnell College and community college average student staff ratio of CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
# Full-Time Students
3,413 students
1,661 students
This chart display the total number of Full-time students enrollment of Hartnell 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
5,260 students
6,239 students
This chart display the total number of Part-time students enrollment of Hartnell 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 Hartnell College.
This chart display community college average Full-Time students and Part-Time students enrollment breakdown of CA.
# Enrollment Undergraduate
624 students
302 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
3,413 students
1,646 students
This chart display the total number of Full-time undergraduate students enrollment of Hartnell 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
5,260 students
6,288 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
10 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
140 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
n/a
n/a
This chart display the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan students in Hartnell College and the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2017-18 school year data.
% Asian
4%
13%
This chart display the percentage of Asian students in Hartnell College and the percentage of Asian community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Hispanic
83%
45%
This chart display the percentage of Hispanic students in Hartnell College and the percentage of Hispanic community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Black
1%
5%
This chart display the percentage of Black students in Hartnell College and the percentage of Black community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% White
8%
26%
This chart display the percentage of White students in Hartnell College and the percentage of White community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
This chart display the percentage of Hawaiian students in Hartnell College and the percentage of Hawaiian community college students in CA by year, with the latest 2012-13 school year data.
% Two or more races
3%
4%
This chart display the percentage of Two or more races students in Hartnell 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 Hartnell College.
This chart display the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in CA.
Diversity Score
0.30
0.71
This chart display the diversity score of Hartnell 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)
29%
35%
This chart display completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of Hartnell 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)
$34,600
$34,700
This chart display average graduate earnings (10 Years) of Hartnell 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 $1,420 is less than the state average of $1,993. The in-state tuition has stayed relatively flat over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $7,060 is less than the state average of $7,120. The out-state tuition has declined by 7% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$1,420
$1,993
This chart display tuition fees for an in-state student of Hartnell 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
$7,060
$7,120
This chart display tuition fees for an out-of-state student of Hartnell 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
93%
86%
This chart display the percent of students who is receiving some financial aid in Hartnell 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 (Year 2014)
$4,500
$9,500
Median Debt for Dropouts
$4,500
$5,500
This chart display median debt for students who have not completed a certificate or degree in Hartnell College and average median debt for community college students who have not completed a certificate or degree in CA by year, with the latest 2014-15 school year data.
Acceptance Rate
n/a
89%
Source: 2021 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

School Notes

  • Hartnell College is one of the oldest educational institutions in California. In 1920, Salinas Junior College was founded. The school was renamed Hartnell College in 1948. The Hartnell Community College District was formed in 1949. The college moved to its present location at 156 Homestead Avenue in Salinas in 1936. The college is located in Monterey County just 20 minutes drive from the scenic Monterey Coast. Hartnell College serves the Salinas Valley, a fertile agricultural region some 10 miles wide and 100 miles long. The College draws its students from Salinas and the surrounding communities of Bradley, Castroville, Chualar, Greenfield, Jolon, King City, Lockwood, Moss Landing, San Ardo, San Lucas, Soledad and adjacent rural areas. Hartnell serves approximately 9,316 students with an ethnic profile that includes 52% Latino, 33% White, 5% Asian, 5% Filipino, 3% Black, 1% Native American students and 1% Other minorities. The College offers the first and second year of a college program and awards the associate of arts/sciences degrees and certificates of proficiency. The college also provides vocational training, Work Force and Community Development classes, Contract Education and numerous cultural and recreational activities. The computer center is available to students for class and assignment use and provides access to the Internet and the World Wide Web. The College has transfer agreements with many California State University (CSU) and University of California (UC) campuses which guarantee admission for Hartnell students who have completed the two year requirements. The college offers a full complement of services to assist students' educational progress including Telephone Registration, Academic and Personal Counseling, Financial Aid Services, International Student Services, Re-Entry Services, Sports Counseling, Disabled Students Programs and Services, Assessment, Career and Transfer Assistance and more. In addition, students are encouraged to become involved in the many clubs on campus and student government through the Associated Students of Hartnell College.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Hartnell College cost?
Hartnell College's tuition is approximately $1,420 for In-State students and $7,060 for Out-State students.
What schools are Hartnell College often compared to?
Hartnell Collegeis often viewed alongside schools like Monterey Peninsula College by visitors of our site.
What is Hartnell College's ranking?
Hartnell College ranks among the top 20% of community college in California for: Average community college minority breakdown and Least debt for graduating students.

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Quick Stats (2024)

  • Enrollment: 8,673 students
  • In-state tuition: $1,420
  • Out-state tuition: $7,060
  • Student:teacher ratio: 21:1
  • Minority enrollment: 92%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Related School Videos

Did You Know?

For California public community colleges, the average tuition is approximately $1,993 per year for in-state students and $7,120 for out-of-state students. For private community colleges, the average yearly tuition is approximately $21,083 per year. Read more about average community college tuition costs across the country.

The average community college acceptance rate in California is 81%. Read more about national community college acceptance rates.

California community colleges have a diversity score of 0.71, which is higher than the national average of 0.70. The most diverse community college in California is Berkeley City College. Read more about community college diversity statistics in the USA.

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