Trade and career programs at Cerritos College
Certificate and associate programs in the trades we track. One-year earnings are for graduates of 2020-21 and 2021-22, four-year earnings for graduates of 2017-18 and 2018-19, both in 2024 dollars.
| Program | Credential | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Earnings 4 yrs after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Welding | Certificate | 207 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Auto and diesel mechanic | Certificate | 195 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Cosmetology and barbering | Certificate | 115 | n/a | $27,191 | n/a |
| Medical assistant | Certificate | 66 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Medical assistant | Associate degree | 64 | $57,573 | $58,974 | n/a |
| Welding | Associate degree | 40 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Cosmetology and barbering | Associate degree | 32 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Dental assisting and hygiene | Associate degree | 31 | $78,598 | $87,282 | n/a |
| Paralegal | Certificate | 30 | $64,743 | $76,742 | n/a |
| Culinary arts | Certificate | 29 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Culinary arts | Associate degree | 26 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Dental assisting and hygiene | Certificate | 25 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Paralegal | Associate degree | 24 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Auto and diesel mechanic | Associate degree | 18 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| EMT, surgical tech and imaging | Certificate | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| EMT, surgical tech and imaging | Associate degree | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Cerritos College cost
| Tuition and fees (2025-26) | $1,364 |
|---|---|
| Total cost of attendance (2024-25) | $10,964 |
| Average net price after grants (2024-25) | $1,577 |
Net price by family income
| Family income | Average net price |
|---|---|
| $0 to $30,000 | $1,457 |
| $30,001 to $48,000 | $1,503 |
| $48,001 to $75,000 | $2,694 |
| $75,001 to $110,000 | $5,990 |
| Over $110,000 | $5,591 |
Program prices often differ from the school-wide figure, and tools, uniforms or licensing exams can add to them. Ask the school for the full price of the program you want.
Outcomes and students
- 67% of first-time students came back or finished after the first year.
- Former students earned a median of $46,657 a year, 10 years after they started (students who received federal aid and were working).
- Students who completed left with a median of $14,250 in federal student loans.
- 36% of students receive a federal Pell Grant.
- Accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Cerritos College cost?
Tuition and fees are $1,364 a year (2025-26). After grants, aided students paid an average net price of $1,577 in 2024-25.
How much do Cerritos College graduates earn?
Dental assisting and hygiene associate degree graduates had the highest median earnings of the programs we track: $78,598 one year after finishing.
Is Cerritos College accredited?
Cerritos College is accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, according to the Department of Education.
Other trade schools nearby
- East Los Angeles College, Monterey Park: $1,238 a year
- Santa Ana College, Santa Ana: $1,188 a year
- Long Beach City College, Long Beach: $1,560 a year
- Fresno City College, Fresno: $1,334 a year
- Palomar College, San Marcos: $1,356 a year
- City College of San Francisco, San Francisco: $1,696 a year
More: all trade schools in California · Cerritos College on the College Scorecard
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard (institution and field of study files), data release of October 15, 2026. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working, not enrolled. What each figure covers.