West Valley College is a public institution offering associate degrees based in Saratoga, California. It enrolls 6,416 students (a large 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.
Strong
81/100
UCD Score · 2-Year
Outcomes72
Value96
Affordability48
Selectivity—
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
As a two-year college, West Valley 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 West Valley 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 $3,423 per year. That's well below the typical net price for public colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$3,423
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
12%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
0%
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)
$0
Tuition & Fees (out-of-state)
$8,702
Room & Board (off-campus)
$35,361
Books & Supplies
$1,152
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$11,739
Total Cost of Attendance
$13,717
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
$1,658
$30,001 – $48,000
$2,226
$48,001 – $75,000
$5,974
$75,001 – $110,000
$8,651
Over $110,000
$9,893
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$1,75010%percentile
$3,00025%percentile
$6,12575%percentile
$12,50090%percentile
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
Dependent students $4,500
—
Independent students $9,500
—
Female students $7,000
—
Male students $7,500
—
What this means:
12% of students receive Pell grants. Most cost is borne by families above Pell thresholds. Verify your individual aid offer before deciding.
Graduation Rate & Retention
6% of full-time students who enrolled at West Valley College graduate within six years, and 80% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
6%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
80%
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 West Valley College earn a median of $51,688 ten years after first enrolling. That's close to the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$51,688
Earning > $25K
72%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$42,000
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$51,600
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
The gender gap:
Male graduates earn $9,600, about 19% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.
What this means:
Strong return on investment. Every dollar of net annual cost is matched by ~$15.1 of median earnings 10 years out.
Who Studies Here
West Valley College is home to 6,416 students, a large student community. Some distinctive traits: 46% are first-generation college students, 64% study part-time.
Total Enrolled
6,416
Part-Time
64%
First-Generation
46%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
Hispanic 33.9%2,173
White 28.2%1,810
Asian 21.1%1,356
Other 12.0%767
Black 2.8%177
International 0.6%38
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at West Valley College. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Large SuburbSaratoga, California
Housing
Commuter campusNo on-campus housing
Adult Learners
28%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NCAAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling structure
Designation
Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI)
What You Can Study
West Valley College offers
an extensive catalog of programs:
52 distinct programs across
25 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 West Valley College is 21:1, on the higher side.
Student : Faculty
21:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Avg Faculty Salary
$133,076
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
143 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
143
100%
$133,076
Pros & Cons of West Valley College
A quick at-a-glance summary of how West Valley College tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Very affordable net price after aid
Open admissions
Solid post-graduation earnings
First-gen-friendly student body
Flexible part-time enrollment options
CONS
Larger class sizes than typical
Low completion rate, many students don't graduate within six years
Predominantly serves middle- and upper-income families
Mostly part-time student body, less full-time campus feel
Best for:
Based on the data, West Valley College is a fit for
students who want a clear path to start college without a competitive admissions barrier; families focused on keeping net cost low; working adults or students needing part-time study options.
Frequently Asked Questions about West Valley College
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about West Valley College.
Is West Valley College hard to get into?
West Valley College has open or near-open admissions. Most qualified applicants are accepted.
What is the acceptance rate at West Valley College?
West Valley College has an acceptance rate of 0%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
How much does West Valley College cost?
The average net price after aid at West Valley College is $3,423 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is West Valley College worth it?
Strong return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $51,688 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $3,423 per year. That's roughly 15.1x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is West Valley College known for?
West Valley College is best known for its programs in Liberal Arts, Liberal Arts, Economics. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do West Valley College graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering West Valley College are $51,688, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is West Valley College accredited?
Yes. West Valley College is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges.
How many students attend West Valley College?
West Valley College enrolls 6,416 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at West Valley College?
West Valley College graduates 6% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is West Valley College a public or private college?
West Valley College is a Public institution.
Where is West Valley College located?
West Valley College is located in Saratoga, California.
What programs does West Valley College offer?
West Valley College offers 52 distinct programs. The most popular include Liberal Arts, Liberal Arts, Economics.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at West Valley College?
The student-to-faculty ratio at West Valley College is 21:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
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Rankings That Feature West Valley College
West Valley College appears in these rankings, built from the same federal data and the UCD Score.
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93 UCD Score
216 Colleges
$536 Lowest Net
$92,446 Top Earn
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90 UCD Score
152 Colleges
$480 Lowest Net
$78,988 Top Earn
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93 UCD Score
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$536 Lowest Net
$90,768 Top Earn
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