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94 schools · California

Auto and diesel mechanic schools in California

94 schools in California offer auto and diesel mechanic programs (76 of them public), with 92 certificate and 80 associate programs between them. Graduates of the typical certificate program here earned $41,719 a year after finishing, compared with $42,072 nationally.

Schools94
Public schools76
Certificate programs92
Certificate: earnings 1 yr after$41,719
Certificate: earnings 4 yrs after$48,655
Associate: earnings 1 yr after$47,922
West Los Angeles CollegeSan Joaquin Valley College-Trades Education CenterSpartan College of Aeronautics & TechnologyAviation Institute of Maintenance-FremontSan Diego Miramar CollegeSpartan College of Aeronautics and TechnologyUniversal Technical Institute of California IncUniversal Technical Institute-Southern CaliforniaUniversal Technical Institute of Northern California IncCET-ColtonCET-San JoseLos Angeles Trade Technical CollegeUEI College-Chula VistaUEI College-Garden GroveUEI College-OceansideUEI College-West CovinaUEI College-GardenaUEI College-SacramentoUEI College-BakersfieldSan Bernardino Valley CollegeSanta Ana CollegeChaffey CollegeReedley CollegeVictor Valley CollegeButte CollegeRiverside City CollegeCollege of AlamedaAcademy of Art UniversityAllan Hancock CollegeAmerican River CollegeAntelope Valley Community College DistrictBakersfield CollegeBaldwin Park Adult & Community EducationBarstow Community CollegeCalifornia Aeronautical UniversityCerritos CollegeChabot CollegeCitrus CollegeCity College of San FranciscoCollege of MarinCollege of the CanyonsCollege of the DesertCollege of the RedwoodsCollege of the SequoiasColumbia CollegeCompton CollegeContra Costa CollegeCopper Mountain Community CollegeCosumnes River CollegeCuesta CollegeCuyamaca CollegeCypress CollegeDe Anza CollegeEast Los Angeles CollegeEl Camino Community College DistrictEvergreen Valley CollegeFresno City CollegeFullerton CollegeGavilan CollegeGolden West CollegeHartnell CollegeImperial Valley CollegeLas Positas CollegeLassen Community CollegeLong Beach City CollegeLos Angeles Pierce CollegeLos Medanos CollegeMendocino CollegeMerced CollegeMiraCosta CollegeMission CollegeModesto Junior CollegeMonterey Peninsula CollegeMt San Antonio CollegeMt San Jacinto Community College DistrictOrange Coast CollegeOxnard CollegePalo Verde CollegePalomar CollegePasadena City CollegeRio Hondo CollegeSacramento City CollegeSaddleback CollegeSan Joaquin Delta CollegeSanta Barbara City CollegeSanta Rosa Junior CollegeShasta CollegeSierra CollegeSkyline CollegeSolano Community CollegeSouthwestern CollegeVentura CollegeWest Valley CollegeYuba College
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All auto and diesel mechanic programs in California

Sorted by earnings one year after graduation. Click a heading to sort; tuition is the school's yearly tuition and fees (2025-26), in-state for public schools.

SchoolTypeCredentialGraduates (2023-24)Earnings 1 yr afterEarnings 4 yrs afterMedian debtSchool tuition
West Los Angeles CollegeCulver City, CAPublic technical schoolCertificate157$66,879n/an/a$1,238
San Joaquin Valley College-Trades Education CenterFresno, CAFor-profit trade schoolCertificate37$65,033n/a$14,852$26,978
Spartan College of Aeronautics & TechnologyInglewood, CAFor-profit trade schoolAssociate degree22$58,404$65,090$25,686$48,666
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-FremontFremont, CAFor-profit trade schoolCertificate109$57,400$74,551$29,916$16,757
San Diego Miramar CollegeSan Diego, CACommunity collegeCertificate190$54,039n/an/a$1,154
Spartan College of Aeronautics & TechnologyInglewood, CAFor-profit trade schoolCertificate156$50,643$69,148$20,000$48,666
Spartan College of Aeronautics and TechnologyRiverside, CAFor-profit trade schoolCertificate138$50,643$69,148$20,000$42,880
Universal Technical Institute of California IncRancho Cucamonga, CAFor-profit 2-year collegeAssociate degree539$47,922$60,060$14,253n/a
Universal Technical Institute-Southern CaliforniaLong Beach, CAFor-profit 2-year collegeAssociate degree423$47,922$60,060$14,253n/a
Universal Technical Institute of California IncRancho Cucamonga, CAFor-profit 2-year collegeCertificate115$46,664$58,515$13,756n/a
Universal Technical Institute-Southern CaliforniaLong Beach, CAFor-profit 2-year collegeCertificate155$46,664$58,515$13,756n/a
Universal Technical Institute of Northern California IncSacramento, CAFor-profit 2-year collegeAssociate degree394$46,617$56,764$15,553n/a
CET-ColtonColton, CANonprofit trade schoolCertificate12$41,719$42,242$7,160$16,375
CET-San JoseSan Jose, CANonprofit trade schoolCertificate14$41,719$42,242$7,160$16,375
Universal Technical Institute of Northern California IncSacramento, CAFor-profit 2-year collegeCertificate133$40,853$49,381$11,996n/a
Los Angeles Trade Technical CollegeLos Angeles, CAPublic community or technical collegeCertificate274$38,935$54,643n/a$1,238
UEI College-Chula VistaChula Vista, CAFor-profit trade schoolCertificate132$37,204$47,929$9,500$21,500
UEI College-Garden GroveGarden Grove, CAFor-profit trade schoolCertificate119$37,204$47,929$9,500$21,500
UEI College-OceansideOceanside, CAFor-profit trade schoolCertificate122$37,204$47,929$9,500$21,500
UEI College-West CovinaWest Covina, CAFor-profit trade schoolCertificate130$37,204$47,929$9,500$21,500
UEI College-GardenaGardena, CAFor-profit trade schoolCertificate94$36,394$38,338$9,500$21,500
UEI College-SacramentoSacramento, CAFor-profit trade schoolCertificate77$36,394$38,338$9,500$19,900
UEI College-BakersfieldBakersfield, CAFor-profit trade schoolCertificate199$33,244$35,148$9,500$21,500
San Bernardino Valley CollegeSan Bernardino, CACommunity collegeCertificate43n/a$80,966n/a$1,185
San Joaquin Valley College-Trades Education CenterFresno, CAFor-profit trade schoolAssociate degree0n/a$75,468n/a$26,978
Santa Ana CollegeSanta Ana, CAPublic technical schoolAssociate degree27n/a$66,935n/a$1,188
Chaffey CollegeRancho Cucamonga, CACommunity collegeCertificate64n/a$65,468n/a$1,184
Reedley CollegeReedley, CAPublic community or technical collegeCertificate92n/a$60,687n/a$1,334
Santa Ana CollegeSanta Ana, CAPublic technical schoolCertificate106n/a$57,369n/a$1,188
Victor Valley CollegeVictorville, CACommunity collegeCertificate183n/a$53,982n/a$1,449
Butte CollegeOroville, CACommunity collegeCertificate24n/a$46,909n/a$1,374
Riverside City CollegeRiverside, CACommunity collegeCertificate69n/a$40,981n/a$1,428
College of AlamedaAlameda, CACommunity collegeCertificate67n/a$29,663n/a$1,258
Academy of Art UniversitySan Francisco, CAFor-profit collegeAssociate degree1n/an/an/a$32,224
Allan Hancock CollegeSanta Maria, CAPublic community or technical collegeCertificate49n/an/an/a$1,158
Allan Hancock CollegeSanta Maria, CAPublic community or technical collegeAssociate degree26n/an/an/a$1,158
American River CollegeSacramento, CACommunity collegeCertificate32n/an/an/a$1,288
American River CollegeSacramento, CACommunity collegeAssociate degree13n/an/an/a$1,288
Antelope Valley Community College DistrictLancaster, CACommunity collegeCertificate416n/an/an/a$1,124
Antelope Valley Community College DistrictLancaster, CACommunity collegeAssociate degree140n/an/an/a$1,124
Bakersfield CollegeBakersfield, CACommunity collegeCertificate42n/an/an/a$1,450
Bakersfield CollegeBakersfield, CACommunity collegeAssociate degree10n/an/an/a$1,450
Baldwin Park Adult & Community EducationBaldwin Park, CAPublic technical schoolCertificate10n/an/an/a$1,365
Barstow Community CollegeBarstow, CAPublic community or technical collegeCertificate34n/an/an/a$1,104
Barstow Community CollegeBarstow, CAPublic community or technical collegeAssociate degree13n/an/an/a$1,104
Butte CollegeOroville, CACommunity collegeAssociate degree6n/an/an/a$1,374
California Aeronautical UniversityBakersfield, CAFor-profit collegeCertificate4n/an/an/a$39,972
California Aeronautical UniversityBakersfield, CAFor-profit collegeAssociate degree2n/an/an/a$39,972
Cerritos CollegeNorwalk, CAPublic technical schoolCertificate195n/an/an/a$1,364
Cerritos CollegeNorwalk, CAPublic technical schoolAssociate degree18n/an/an/a$1,364
Chabot CollegeHayward, CAPublic community or technical collegeCertificate104n/an/an/a$1,334
Chabot CollegeHayward, CAPublic community or technical collegeAssociate degree13n/an/an/a$1,334
Chaffey CollegeRancho Cucamonga, CACommunity collegeAssociate degree31n/an/an/a$1,184
Citrus CollegeGlendora, CAPublic community or technical collegeCertificate83n/an/an/a$1,254
Citrus CollegeGlendora, CAPublic community or technical collegeAssociate degree12n/an/an/a$1,254
City College of San FranciscoSan Francisco, CAPublic community or technical collegeCertificate103n/an/an/a$1,696
City College of San FranciscoSan Francisco, CAPublic community or technical collegeAssociate degree11n/an/an/a$1,696
College of AlamedaAlameda, CACommunity collegeAssociate degree35n/an/an/a$1,258
College of MarinKentfield, CACommunity collegeCertificate17n/an/an/a$1,558
College of MarinKentfield, CACommunity collegeAssociate degree2n/an/an/a$1,558
College of the CanyonsSanta Clarita, CACommunity collegeCertificate12n/an/an/a$1,170
College of the CanyonsSanta Clarita, CACommunity collegeAssociate degree5n/an/an/a$1,170
College of the DesertPalm Desert, CAPublic community or technical collegeCertificate102n/an/an/a$1,326
College of the DesertPalm Desert, CAPublic community or technical collegeAssociate degree9n/an/an/a$1,326
College of the RedwoodsEureka, CACommunity collegeCertificate14n/an/an/a$1,198
College of the RedwoodsEureka, CACommunity collegeAssociate degree1n/an/an/a$1,198
College of the SequoiasVisalia, CAPublic community or technical collegeCertificate212n/an/an/a$1,394
College of the SequoiasVisalia, CAPublic community or technical collegeAssociate degree13n/an/an/a$1,394
Columbia CollegeSonora, CACommunity collegeCertificate7n/an/an/a$1,276
Columbia CollegeSonora, CACommunity collegeAssociate degree3n/an/an/a$1,276
Compton CollegeCompton, CACommunity collegeCertificate37n/an/an/a$1,142
Compton CollegeCompton, CACommunity collegeAssociate degree1n/an/an/a$1,142
Contra Costa CollegeSan Pablo, CACommunity collegeCertificate18n/an/an/a$1,128
Contra Costa CollegeSan Pablo, CACommunity collegeAssociate degree10n/an/an/a$1,128
Copper Mountain Community CollegeJoshua Tree, CACommunity collegeCertificate9n/an/an/a$1,390
Copper Mountain Community CollegeJoshua Tree, CACommunity collegeAssociate degree2n/an/an/a$1,390
Cosumnes River CollegeSacramento, CACommunity collegeCertificate81n/an/an/a$1,288
Cosumnes River CollegeSacramento, CACommunity collegeAssociate degree9n/an/an/a$1,288
Cuesta CollegeSan Luis Obispo, CAPublic community or technical collegeCertificate33n/an/an/a$1,350
Cuesta CollegeSan Luis Obispo, CAPublic community or technical collegeAssociate degree5n/an/an/a$1,350
Cuyamaca CollegeEl Cajon, CACommunity collegeCertificate4n/an/an/a$1,340
Cuyamaca CollegeEl Cajon, CACommunity collegeAssociate degree13n/an/an/a$1,340
Cypress CollegeCypress, CAPublic technical schoolCertificate273n/an/an/a$1,150
Cypress CollegeCypress, CAPublic technical schoolAssociate degree16n/an/an/a$1,150
De Anza CollegeCupertino, CACommunity collegeCertificate109n/an/an/a$1,577
De Anza CollegeCupertino, CACommunity collegeAssociate degree40n/an/an/a$1,577
East Los Angeles CollegeMonterey Park, CAPublic technical schoolCertificate23n/an/an/a$1,238
East Los Angeles CollegeMonterey Park, CAPublic technical schoolAssociate degree4n/an/an/a$1,238
El Camino Community College DistrictTorrance, CACommunity collegeCertificate47n/an/an/a$1,156
El Camino Community College DistrictTorrance, CACommunity collegeAssociate degree17n/an/an/a$1,156
Evergreen Valley CollegeSan Jose, CACommunity collegeCertificate35n/an/an/a$1,366
Evergreen Valley CollegeSan Jose, CACommunity collegeAssociate degree9n/an/an/a$1,366
Fresno City CollegeFresno, CAPublic technical schoolCertificate14n/an/an/a$1,334
Fresno City CollegeFresno, CAPublic technical schoolAssociate degree9n/an/an/a$1,334
Fullerton CollegeFullerton, CACommunity collegeCertificate13n/an/an/a$1,150
Fullerton CollegeFullerton, CACommunity collegeAssociate degree8n/an/an/a$1,150
Gavilan CollegeGilroy, CACommunity collegeCertificate46n/an/an/a$1,444
Gavilan CollegeGilroy, CACommunity collegeAssociate degree3n/an/an/a$1,444
Golden West CollegeHuntington Beach, CACommunity collegeCertificate56n/an/an/a$1,202
Golden West CollegeHuntington Beach, CACommunity collegeAssociate degree28n/an/an/a$1,202
Hartnell CollegeSalinas, CACommunity collegeAssociate degree18n/an/an/a$1,404
Imperial Valley CollegeImperial, CACommunity collegeCertificate24n/an/an/a$1,148
Imperial Valley CollegeImperial, CACommunity collegeAssociate degree8n/an/an/a$1,148
Las Positas CollegeLivermore, CACommunity collegeCertificate20n/an/an/a$1,348
Las Positas CollegeLivermore, CACommunity collegeAssociate degree3n/an/an/a$1,348
Lassen Community CollegeSusanville, CACommunity collegeCertificate5n/an/an/a$1,144
Lassen Community CollegeSusanville, CACommunity collegeAssociate degree3n/an/an/a$1,144
Long Beach City CollegeLong Beach, CAPublic community or technical collegeCertificate98n/an/an/a$1,560
Long Beach City CollegeLong Beach, CAPublic community or technical collegeAssociate degree11n/an/an/a$1,560
Los Angeles Pierce CollegeWoodland Hills, CACommunity collegeCertificate53n/an/an/a$1,238
Los Angeles Pierce CollegeWoodland Hills, CACommunity collegeAssociate degree18n/an/an/a$1,238
Los Angeles Trade Technical CollegeLos Angeles, CAPublic community or technical collegeAssociate degree36n/an/an/a$1,238
Los Medanos CollegePittsburg, CACommunity collegeCertificate15n/an/an/a$1,128
Los Medanos CollegePittsburg, CACommunity collegeAssociate degree7n/an/an/a$1,128
Mendocino CollegeUkiah, CACommunity collegeCertificate1n/an/an/a$1,414
Mendocino CollegeUkiah, CACommunity collegeAssociate degree2n/an/an/a$1,414
Merced CollegeMerced, CAPublic community or technical collegeCertificate89n/an/an/a$1,202
Merced CollegeMerced, CAPublic community or technical collegeAssociate degree10n/an/an/a$1,202
MiraCosta CollegeOceanside, CACommunity collegeCertificate46n/an/an/a$1,158
MiraCosta CollegeOceanside, CACommunity collegeAssociate degree8n/an/an/a$1,158
Mission CollegeSanta Clara, CACommunity collegeCertificate143n/an/an/a$1,438
Modesto Junior CollegeModesto, CACommunity collegeCertificate49n/an/an/a$1,276
Modesto Junior CollegeModesto, CACommunity collegeAssociate degree7n/an/an/a$1,276
Monterey Peninsula CollegeMonterey, CACommunity collegeCertificate11n/an/an/a$1,188
Monterey Peninsula CollegeMonterey, CACommunity collegeAssociate degree2n/an/an/a$1,188
Mt San Antonio CollegeWalnut, CACommunity collegeCertificate41n/an/an/a$1,364
Mt San Antonio CollegeWalnut, CACommunity collegeAssociate degree23n/an/an/a$1,364
Mt San Jacinto Community College DistrictSan Jacinto, CACommunity collegeCertificate22n/an/an/a$1,451
Mt San Jacinto Community College DistrictSan Jacinto, CACommunity collegeAssociate degree8n/an/an/a$1,451
Orange Coast CollegeCosta Mesa, CAPublic community or technical collegeCertificate24n/an/an/a$1,222
Orange Coast CollegeCosta Mesa, CAPublic community or technical collegeAssociate degree11n/an/an/a$1,222
Oxnard CollegeOxnard, CACommunity collegeCertificate110n/an/an/a$1,416
Oxnard CollegeOxnard, CACommunity collegeAssociate degree14n/an/an/a$1,416
Palo Verde CollegeBlythe, CAPublic community or technical collegeCertificate21n/an/an/a$1,288
Palo Verde CollegeBlythe, CAPublic community or technical collegeAssociate degree1n/an/an/a$1,288
Palomar CollegeSan Marcos, CAPublic community or technical collegeCertificate25n/an/an/a$1,356
Palomar CollegeSan Marcos, CAPublic community or technical collegeAssociate degree8n/an/an/a$1,356
Pasadena City CollegePasadena, CACommunity collegeCertificate205n/an/an/a$1,180
Pasadena City CollegePasadena, CACommunity collegeAssociate degree9n/an/an/a$1,180
Reedley CollegeReedley, CAPublic community or technical collegeAssociate degree15n/an/an/a$1,334
Rio Hondo CollegeWhittier, CAPublic technical schoolCertificate107n/an/an/a$1,388
Rio Hondo CollegeWhittier, CAPublic technical schoolAssociate degree22n/an/an/a$1,388
Riverside City CollegeRiverside, CACommunity collegeAssociate degree30n/an/an/a$1,428
Sacramento City CollegeSacramento, CACommunity collegeCertificate13n/an/an/a$1,288
Sacramento City CollegeSacramento, CACommunity collegeAssociate degree8n/an/an/a$1,288
Saddleback CollegeMission Viejo, CACommunity collegeCertificate164n/an/an/a$1,156
Saddleback CollegeMission Viejo, CACommunity collegeAssociate degree20n/an/an/a$1,156
San Bernardino Valley CollegeSan Bernardino, CACommunity collegeAssociate degree9n/an/an/a$1,185
San Diego Miramar CollegeSan Diego, CACommunity collegeAssociate degree34n/an/an/a$1,154
San Joaquin Delta CollegeStockton, CACommunity collegeCertificate98n/an/an/a$1,180
San Joaquin Delta CollegeStockton, CACommunity collegeAssociate degree10n/an/an/a$1,180
Santa Barbara City CollegeSanta Barbara, CACommunity collegeCertificate7n/an/an/a$1,242
Santa Barbara City CollegeSanta Barbara, CACommunity collegeAssociate degree7n/an/an/a$1,242
Santa Rosa Junior CollegeSanta Rosa, CAPublic community or technical collegeCertificate210n/an/an/a$1,318
Santa Rosa Junior CollegeSanta Rosa, CAPublic community or technical collegeAssociate degree8n/an/an/a$1,318
Shasta CollegeRedding, CACommunity collegeCertificate18n/an/an/a$1,199
Shasta CollegeRedding, CACommunity collegeAssociate degree11n/an/an/a$1,199
Sierra CollegeRocklin, CACommunity collegeCertificate2n/an/an/a$1,448
Skyline CollegeSan Bruno, CACommunity collegeCertificate0n/an/an/a$1,332
Skyline CollegeSan Bruno, CACommunity collegeAssociate degree10n/an/an/a$1,332
Solano Community CollegeFairfield, CACommunity collegeCertificate49n/an/an/a$1,172
Solano Community CollegeFairfield, CACommunity collegeAssociate degree8n/an/an/a$1,172
Southwestern CollegeChula Vista, CACommunity collegeCertificate21n/an/an/a$1,356
Southwestern CollegeChula Vista, CACommunity collegeAssociate degree4n/an/an/a$1,356
Ventura CollegeVentura, CACommunity collegeCertificate78n/an/an/a$1,416
Ventura CollegeVentura, CACommunity collegeAssociate degree14n/an/an/a$1,416
Victor Valley CollegeVictorville, CACommunity collegeAssociate degree25n/an/an/a$1,449
West Los Angeles CollegeCulver City, CAPublic technical schoolAssociate degree21n/an/an/a$1,238
West Valley CollegeSaratoga, CACommunity collegeCertificate1n/an/an/a$0
West Valley CollegeSaratoga, CACommunity collegeAssociate degree4n/an/an/a$0
Yuba CollegeMarysville, CACommunity collegeCertificate14n/an/an/a$1,128
Yuba CollegeMarysville, CACommunity collegeAssociate degree4n/an/an/a$1,128

Cities with the most programs: Sacramento (5), Bakersfield (3), Fresno (2), Riverside (2), Rancho Cucamonga (2), Long Beach (2), San Jose (2), Chula Vista (2), Oceanside (2), San Francisco (2), Culver City (1), Inglewood (1).

What counts: vehicle maintenance and repair: auto, diesel, collision, small engine and motorcycle.

Frequently asked questions

How many auto and diesel mechanic schools are in California?

94 schools in California awarded auto and diesel mechanic certificates or associate degrees recently, according to the U.S. Department of Education: 92 certificate and 80 associate programs.

Which auto and diesel mechanic program in California has the highest earnings?

West Los Angeles College in Culver City, where certificate graduates earned a median of $66,879 one year after finishing (programs with at least 5 graduates).

What is the cheapest auto and diesel mechanic school in California?

By yearly tuition and fees, West Valley College in Saratoga charges $0 (2025-26, in-state). Program fees, tools and licensing exams can add to that, so ask the school.

How much do auto and diesel mechanic graduates make in California?

The typical certificate program in California reported median earnings of $41,719 one year after graduation and $48,655 four years after, for graduates who received federal aid and were working.

More in California: all trade schools · colleges
Other trades: Welding · HVAC · Electrician · Plumbing · Carpentry · Construction trades · Heavy equipment mechanic · Truck driving (CDL) · Cosmetology and barbering · Culinary arts · Medical assistant · LPN and CNA · Dental assisting and hygiene · Phlebotomy and medical lab · EMT, surgical tech and imaging · Medical billing and coding · Massage therapy · Paralegal
Auto and diesel mechanic schools nationwide

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.