CET-Santa Maria
A good fit for families who need the lowest possible cost and students who want small classes and close faculty access. no major red flags in the data. 59% of students receive Pell Grants — strong access mission.
About This School
CET-Santa Maria is a private nonprofit institution located in Santa Maria, California with approximately 142 undergraduate students enrolled. The average net price after financial aid is $5,446 per year. The graduation rate is 68%, and the typical graduate earns $27,600 within 10 years of enrollment.
Students drawn to hands-on vocational and technical training — particularly those from working-class families who need an affordable, focused pathway into the workforce — will find this small Santa Maria institution worth a close look. The cost picture is genuinely encouraging: with an average net price of just $5,446 per year and median debt at graduation of only $7,041, students can complete their program without the financial burden that haunts so many career-school graduates. That said, I want you to go in clear-eyed about the earnings side — median income 10 years out sits at $27,600, which is modest and may limit your ability to build savings or handle unexpected expenses, so think carefully about whether the specific credential you're pursuing commands stronger wages in your local market. The 68% graduation rate is decent for this type of institution, but it also means roughly one in three students doesn't finish, so before you commit, ask the school directly what support is in place to help students who hit obstacles. My honest advice: visit, talk to recent graduates working in your target field, and confirm that local employers in Santa Maria actively hire from this program — the low cost makes the risk manageable, but only if the credential actually opens doors for you.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Financial Aid
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 33% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (142 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
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See How Colleges Compare
CET-Santa Maria is one of thousands of colleges in our data studies, each built from the same U.S. Department of Education data shown on this page. Compare schools head to head:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does CET-Santa Maria cost?
The average net price at CET-Santa Maria is about $5,446 per year after grants and scholarships, based on federal data. Your actual cost depends on your family's finances and aid package.
What is the graduation rate at CET-Santa Maria?
CET-Santa Maria has a graduation rate of 68%, according to U.S. Department of Education data.
Sources & Methodology
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.
- 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.
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