CET-San Diego

Don’t expect a typical college experience: there’s no mention of dorms, Greek life, or campus events in CET’s materials. The vibe is more ‘commuter vocational school’ than ‘undergrad community,’ with resources geared toward job placement rather than extracurriculars. Contrast this with UC San Diego’s 600+ student groups or SDCCE’s focus on transitioning students to traditional colleges—CET is strictly business.

The numbers tell a stark story: a 0% graduation rate (per federal data) and median earnings of $36,427 one year post-graduation, rising only to $19,500 after two years—well below the national average. While 156 degrees were awarded in 2023, the low earnings suggest graduates often land in entry-level roles. CET’s pitch is ‘get trained fast,’ but the ROI is murky compared to USD’s 90.9% job-placement rate within three months.

Tuition is lower than traditional colleges, with 51% of students receiving grant aid (averaging $6,810). CET promotes ‘steady paychecks over debt,’ though it lacks a no-loan policy or full-need meeting like elite schools. Financial aid leans on federal programs (FAFSA), and the net priceNet priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. is unclear—prospective students should scrutinize costs versus potential earnings, especially given the modest post-grad salaries.

CET-San Diego is San Diego’s trade-school antithesis to UCSD’s research juggernaut. It’s for students who want to bypass gen eds and dive into hands-on training—fast. The trade-offs are clear: no campus life, shaky graduation stats, and modest earnings, but also no cutthroat admissions or six-figure debt. Ideal for career switchers or those priced out of traditional college, but a hard sell for anyone seeking a holistic education.