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Cerro Coso Community College

Ridgecrest, CA·Public·3,496 students
Last updated: March 21, 2026

A good fit for students who prefer a mid-size campus and in-state California residents. no major red flags in the data. a public school with 3,496 students.

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Accept
3,496
Students
N/A
Net Price
N/A
Grad Rate
$34,600
Earnings
10 yr
N/A
Debt

About This School

Cerro Coso Community College is a public institution located in Ridgecrest, California with approximately 3,496 undergraduate students enrolled. In-state tuition is $1,384 per year. Typical graduates earn $34,600 within 10 years of enrollment.

Cerro Coso Community College is a public community college in the Eastern Sierra region of Southern California. It was established in 1973 as a separate college within the Kern Community College District. The college offers traditional and online courses and two-year degrees. The college serves an area of approximately 18,000-square-miles. Cerro Coso has five instructional sites: Eastern Sierra Center Bishop and Mammoth Lakes, Indian Wells Valley, Kern River Valley, and South Kern. The college also has an Incarcerated Student Education Program in two locations, the California City Correctional Facility and Tehachapi California Correctional Institution.

Worth considering if you're looking for an affordable community college option in the Eastern Sierra region, with small enrollment (under 3,500 students) that can mean more individualized attention. The honest concern is the post-graduation earnings picture — median income of $34,600 a decade after enrollment is modest, so think carefully about which program you choose and whether the career outcomes align with your financial goals. This school makes the most sense as a low-cost transfer pathway or for local students pursuing vocational certificates, rather than as a standalone credential for high-earning fields.

Founded
1973

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average CompositeN/A

ACT Scores

Midpoint CompositeN/A

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$1,384
Out-of-State Tuition
$10,264
Avg Net Price
N/A
after aid

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants14%
Median debt at graduationN/A

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
N/A
within 6 years
Retention Rate
N/A
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$34,600
after enrollment
Median Debt
N/A
at graduation

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
N/A
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$25,400
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$34,600
after enrollment

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White38%
Black7%
Hispanic/Latino44%
Asian4%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (3,496 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Cerro Coso Community College

Ridgecrest, CA

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Other Schools in California

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Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
Trademarks

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