Compton College is a public institution offering associate degrees based in Compton, California. It enrolls 3,142 students (a mid-sized student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
AccreditorWestern Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
Academic CalendarSemester
How It Measures Up
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (2-Year). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Fair
47/100
UCD Score · 2-Year
Outcomes12
Value36
Affordability35
Selectivity—
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
As a two-year college, Compton College generally admits all qualified applicants.
Acceptance Rate
Open
SAT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
ACT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending Compton College isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $12,647 per year. That's below the typical net price for public colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$12,647
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
27%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
3%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees (in-state)
$1,142
Tuition & Fees (out-of-state)
$8,822
Room & Board (off-campus)
$22,086
Books & Supplies
$1,062
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$6,930
Total Cost of Attendance
$20,447
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$12,528
$30,001 – $48,000
$12,773
$48,001 – $75,000
$12,319
$75,001 – $110,000
$16,689
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Female students $6,754
—
Male students $4,750
—
What this means:
27% of students receive Pell grants. Most cost is borne by families above Pell thresholds. Verify your individual aid offer before deciding.
Graduation Rate & Retention
5% of full-time students who enrolled at Compton College graduate within six years, and 51% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
5%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
51%
Returning for their second year
What this means:
Lower than typical completion. Worth asking the school how they support students who fall behind.
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered Compton College earn a median of $34,181 ten years after first enrolling. That's below the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$34,181
Earning > $25K
56%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
What this means:
Moderate return on investment. Every dollar of net annual cost is matched by ~$2.7 of median earnings 10 years out. Compare carefully against your funding plan.
Who Studies Here
Compton College is home to 3,142 students, a mid-sized community. Some distinctive traits: 67% study part-time.
Total Enrolled
3,142
Part-Time
67%
First-Generation
—
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
Hispanic 52.4%1,645
Black 36.9%1,158
Other 4.4%138
Asian 2.1%66
White 2.0%64
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at Compton College. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Large SuburbCompton, California
Housing
Commuter campusNo on-campus housing
Adult Learners
36%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NAIAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling structure
Designation
Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI)
What You Can Study
Compton College offers
a varied set of programs:
23 distinct programs across
19 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at Compton College is 17:1, on the higher side.
Student : Faculty
17:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Instruction / Student
$5,556
Annual instructional spending per enrolled student
Avg Faculty Salary
$104,868
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
126 instructional faculty across 1 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Instructors
126
100%
$104,868
Pros & Cons of Compton College
A quick at-a-glance summary of how Compton College tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Below-average net price
Open admissions
Flexible part-time enrollment options
CONS
Class sizes are on the higher side
Low completion rate, many students don't graduate within six years
First-year retention is below typical
Below-average post-graduation earnings
Mostly part-time student body, less full-time campus feel
Best for:
Based on the data, Compton College is a fit for
students who want a clear path to start college without a competitive admissions barrier; working adults or students needing part-time study options.
Frequently Asked Questions about Compton College
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about Compton College.
Is Compton College hard to get into?
Compton College has open or near-open admissions. Most qualified applicants are accepted.
What is the acceptance rate at Compton College?
Compton College has an acceptance rate of 0%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
How much does Compton College cost?
The average net price after aid at Compton College is $12,647 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is Compton College worth it?
Moderate return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $34,181 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $12,647 per year. That's roughly 2.7x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is Compton College known for?
Compton College is best known for its programs in Liberal Arts, Liberal Arts, Biological and Physical Sciences. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do Compton College graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering Compton College are $34,181, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is Compton College accredited?
Yes. Compton College is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges.
How many students attend Compton College?
Compton College enrolls 3,142 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at Compton College?
Compton College graduates 5% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is Compton College a public or private college?
Compton College is a Public institution.
Where is Compton College located?
Compton College is located in Compton, California.
What programs does Compton College offer?
Compton College offers 23 distinct programs. The most popular include Liberal Arts, Liberal Arts, Biological and Physical Sciences.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at Compton College?
The student-to-faculty ratio at Compton College is 17:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
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