HomeCaliforniaWelding schools › Cerro Coso Community College

Cerro Coso Community College

Ridgecrest, California · public · mainly awards associate degrees · 3,171 students · WeldingMachining & CNCMedical AssistingPractical Nursing (LPN/LVN)EMT & ParamedicRadiologic Technology

Avg net price / yr
$18,306
cheaper than 12% of comparable schools
Completion rate
14.7%
Median debt at completion
not reported
Median earnings (10 yrs after entry)
$34,963
earns ~$1,909.9 per $1k of yearly net price

About

Cerro Coso Community College is a public school in Ridgecrest, CA that primarily awards associate degrees and certificates. With over 3,100 students enrolled, the school offers programs ranging from precision metal working to practical nursing. Data from the U.S. Department of Education shows the typical net price after aid is $18,306.

What to know

The reported median earnings 10 years after entry are $34,963, which prospective students should compare against their total debt rather than annual net price. The completion rate is reported at 14.7%, a figure that often undercounts students who transfer to four-year institutions rather than indicating failure. Pell Grant participation is 15.5%, reflecting the school's accessibility to lower-income students.

Net price is 139% above the California median ($7,653) for schools offering these programs. Reported median earnings are 9% below the national median ($38,354) for comparable schools.

See what aid you may qualify for

15.5% of students here receive federal Pell Grants. Get aid deadlines and program matches for Welding programs in California.

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Programs & what graduates earn

ProgramCredentialMedian earnings 2 yrs after completion
Precision Metal Workingundergraduate certificatenot reported
Precision Metal Workingassociate degreenot reported
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Servicesundergraduate certificatenot reported
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Servicesassociate degreenot reported
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professionsundergraduate certificatenot reported
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistantsundergraduate certificatenot reported
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistantsassociate degreenot reported
Show all 40 other programs at this school
ProgramCredentialMedian earnings (2 yr after completion)
Graphic Communicationsundergraduate certificatenot reported
Computer and Information Sciences, Generalundergraduate certificatenot reported
Computer and Information Sciences, Generalassociate degreenot reported
Computer Scienceassociate degreenot reported
Computer Software and Media Applicationsundergraduate certificatenot reported
Computer Software and Media Applicationsassociate degreenot reported
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunicationsundergraduate certificatenot reported
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunicationsassociate degreenot reported
Industrial Production Technologies/Techniciansundergraduate certificatenot reported
Industrial Production Technologies/Techniciansassociate degreenot reported
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguisticsassociate degreenot reported
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Servicesundergraduate certificatenot reported
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Servicesassociate degreenot reported
Non-Professional Legal Studiesassociate degreenot reported
Legal Support Servicesundergraduate certificatenot reported
Legal Support Servicesassociate degreenot reported
English Language and Literature, Generalassociate degreenot reported
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanitiesassociate degreenot reported
Mathematicsassociate degreenot reported
Biological and Physical Sciencesassociate degreenot reported
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitnessassociate degreenot reported
Psychology, Generalassociate degreenot reported
Criminal Justice and Correctionsundergraduate certificatenot reported
Criminal Justice and Correctionsassociate degreenot reported
Human Services, Generalundergraduate certificatenot reported
Human Services, Generalassociate degreenot reported
Anthropologyassociate degreenot reported
Political Science and Governmentassociate degreenot reported
Sociologyassociate degreenot reported
Visual and Performing Arts, Generalassociate degreenot reported
Fine and Studio Artsassociate degreenot reported
Health and Medical Administrative Servicesundergraduate certificatenot reported
Business/Commerce, Generalassociate degreenot reported
Business Administration, Management and Operationsundergraduate certificatenot reported
Business Administration, Management and Operationsassociate degreenot reported
Business Operations Support and Assistant Servicesundergraduate certificatenot reported
Business Operations Support and Assistant Servicesassociate degreenot reported
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operationsundergraduate certificatenot reported
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operationsassociate degreenot reported
Historyassociate degreenot reported

Get paid while you train instead

Registered apprenticeships are an alternative to paying for school — sponsors pay wages from day one. In California:

Questions students ask

What programs does Cerro Coso Community College offer?
The school offers undergraduate certificates and associate degrees in Precision Metal Working, Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services, Allied Health Diagnostic and Intervention, Practical Nursing, and Graphic Communications, plus 39 more programs.
How much do students typically earn after graduating?
The median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $34,963 according to U.S. Department of Education data.
What is the completion rate and does it mean many students drop out?
The reported completion rate is 14.7%. This number often undercounts transfers to other schools, so it should not be viewed as a direct measure of failure for community college students.
Is Cerro Coso Community College public or private?
It is a public school located in Ridgecrest, CA, with a total enrollment of 3,171 students.
What is the average cost to attend?
The average annual net price after financial aid is reported at $18,306.

Other options in California

SchoolCityNet price / yrCompletionEarnings (10 yr)
Allan Hancock CollegeSanta Maria$5,38325.7%$42,786
American River CollegeSacramento$7,99924.6%$40,162
Antelope Valley Community College DistrictLancaster$3,86029.1%$36,526
Bakersfield CollegeBakersfield$14,62125.9%$37,291
Barstow Community CollegeBarstow$12,77319.5%$35,104
Butte CollegeOroville$5,52036.3%$41,810
Data: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (most recent release, pulled July 2026), school ID 111896. Figures are federally reported medians and may lag current prices. "Not reported" means the federal dataset suppresses or lacks the value — often due to small cohort sizes. How we compute comparisons. This site is independent and not affiliated with any government agency or school.