Cerritos College
About Cerritos College
Overview, location, and what makes it stand out
Cerritos College teaches in Norwalk, in the southeast of Los Angeles County, and is a Hispanic-Serving Institution. Business, the sciences and psychology are its largest programs.
Founded
1955
Location
Norwalk, California
Students
18,870
Institution
Community College
Known For
Key Stats
A quick snapshot of what matters most
Acceptance Rate
Open
Admits all qualified applicants
Graduation Rate
30.5%
Below national average
In-State Tuition
$1,364
Out-of-state: $12,004
Avg Net Price
$2,424
After financial aid
SAT Average
Not required
No test scores requested
Median Earnings
$41,156
10 years after enrollment
Admissions
How competitive is getting in?
Selectivity
Open Admission
Every applicant who meets the basic requirements is admitted, so there is no acceptance rate
How to Apply
Test Policy
No test needed
Application Fee
Free
Early
N/A
Deadline
Rolling
Academics
How strong is the academic experience?
Student Success
Below Average
30.5% complete their degree within three years
Retention
67.1%
Transfer Out
10%
Teaching Quality
38:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
Full-Time
22.3%
$/Student
$6.1K
Class Size
Large
The 30.5% graduation rate is below average, but 67.1% of freshmen return for year two. Students are staying, even if completion takes longer than four years.
Tuition & Costs
What will you actually pay?
Tuition & Fees
$1,364
In-State
$12,004
Out-of-State
Tuition and mandatory fees only, does not include housing or meals
Room & Board
No on-campus housing
Books & Supplies
$1,062
Total Cost of Attendance
$10,236
After Financial Aid
$2,424
Average Net Price
Average amount students actually pay after grants and scholarships
Net Price (family income <$30K)
$1,538
Receive Grants
36.3%
Take Loans
2.6%
Tuition is $1,364/yr, and after aid the average student pays about $2,424.
Financial Aid
Who gets aid and what happens after
Financial aid comes in two forms: grants and scholarships (free money you don't repay) and loans (borrowed money you pay back after graduating). Here's how students at Cerritos College fund their education.
While in School
36.3%
Get Grants
Free money
2.6%
Take Loans
Must repay
$19,002
Median Family Income
After Graduation
$8,447
Median Debt at Graduation
Total federal loan balance when students graduate
$90/mo
Monthly Payment
0%
LowDefault Rate
The median debt is just $8,447, and less than 0% of graduates default on their loans. Students here leave with very manageable financial obligations.
Student Body
Diversity, gender, and enrollment
From gender balance and racial diversity to age and background, here's a look at who attends Cerritos College.
Gender
53.2%
Female
47%
Male
Female to Male Ratio
Race & Ethnicity
Enrollment
18,870
Undergraduate Students
Student Profile
N/A
Graduates
59.9%
First-Gen
23 yrs
Avg Age
39.7%
Age 25+
The campus has a balanced gender split (53% women, 47% men). 59.9% are first-generation college students, so there's a strong community of students who understand that experience.
Campus Life
What it's like to be a student here
Campus Setting
Suburb: Large
Campus Quick Facts
18,870
Students
community
Institution
Medium
Campus Size
N/A
Classification
What This College Offers
Semester calendar
Study Abroad
Yes
AP Credit
Yes
Teacher Cert
No
ROTC
No
Evening College
Yes
Online Programs
Yes
Job Placement
Yes
Career Counseling
Yes
Sports & Athletics
How seriously this college takes sport
Cerritos College fields 12 varsity teams with 603 student athletes, about 3% of the student body.
Division
CCCAA
California Community College Athletic Association
Conference
Not reported
Only collected for NCAA and NAIA teams
Varsity Sports
12
Biggest: Football
Student Athletes
603
3% of the student body
Athletes by Gender
65% / 35%
392
Men
211
Women
9
Men's Teams
10
Women's Teams
Biggest Teams
Every Varsity Team
After Graduation
What can you earn with this degree?
How much do graduates of Cerritos Collegeearn, and what do they study? Here's a look at outcomes and popular programs.
Earnings Trajectory
$41,156
Median Earnings · 10 Years After
Popular Programs
Top 6Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
$18K
667 grads
1yr Earnings
Business Administration, Management and Operations
$60K
423 grads
4yr Earnings
Biological and Physical Sciences
$25K
259 grads
1yr Earnings
Psychology, General
—
166 grads
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services
$26K
132 grads
4yr Earnings
Sociology
—
103 grads
Graduates earn about $33K six years out, growing to $41K by year ten. Above average, though your choice of major will be the biggest factor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cerritos College
How much does Cerritos College cost?▾
What is the graduation rate at Cerritos College?▾
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Data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard Some figures may reflect prior academic years. Our editorial team reviews and updates college profiles to ensure accuracy. If you notice outdated information, please let us know.