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Rio Hondo College

Whittier, CA·Public·15,365 students
Last updated: March 21, 2026

A good fit for students who want a large campus community and in-state California residents. graduation rate is below 40%. a public school with 15,365 students.

N/A
Accept
15,365
Students
N/A
Net Price
27%
Grad Rate
$40,500
Earnings
10 yr
$5,500
Debt

About This School

Rio Hondo College is a public institution located in Whittier, California with approximately 15,365 undergraduate students enrolled. In-state tuition is $1,388 per year. The graduation rate is 27%, and the typical graduate earns $40,500 within 10 years of enrollment.

Río Hondo College is a public community college in Whittier, California. Founded in 1960, it is named after the Rio Hondo and mainly serves the cities of Whittier, Pico Rivera, Santa Fe Springs, El Monte, and South El Monte. Río Hondo College offers 30 associate degrees for transfer that guarantee transfer to California State Universities, 60 associate degrees and 127 certificates. Rio Hondo offers on-campus, online, and off-campus courses to all of its students. It is the first community college in California offering a bachelor's degree in Automotive Technology. Rio Hondo also offers a Pathway to Law School program to one of six top California law schools.

Worth considering if you're planning to transfer to a Cal State, since Rio Hondo offers 30 guaranteed transfer degree pathways and keeps student debt remarkably low at just $5,500. The 27% graduation rate is a real concern, though — it signals that many students struggle to finish, so you'll need to be proactive about using counseling and support services. Median earnings of $40,500 a decade out are modest, making the low-cost, transfer-focused path a smarter play here than expecting the degree alone to dramatically shift your income.

Founded
1963

Notable Alumni

Evan LongoriaNorma TorresLauren Tewes

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average CompositeN/A

ACT Scores

Midpoint CompositeN/A

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$1,388
Out-of-State Tuition
$9,884
Avg Net Price
N/A
after aid

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants24%
Median debt at graduation$5,500

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
27%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
N/A
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$40,500
after enrollment
Median Debt
$5,500
at graduation

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$5,500
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$30,000
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$40,500
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 7.4x

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

White10%
Black2%
Hispanic/Latino71%
Asian5%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (15,365 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Rio Hondo College

Whittier, 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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