Compton, CApublicwww.compton.edu/
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Compton College is a public community college in Southern California that operates on a radically open-access mission, admitting any student with a high school diploma or equivalent. Its identity is rooted in serving its immediate community, offering a practical, career-focused academic portfolio designed for direct workforce entry or transfer, all within a small-class environment. This is a college defined by its function as an educational and economic engine for its students, not by selectivity or prestige.
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Outcomes & value
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Campus & location
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Compton College has an open admissions policy, meaning it admits any student with a high school diploma, the recognized equivalent of a diploma, or who is 18 years of age or older. This results in a 100% . The process is designed for maximum accessibility: applications are accepted online, and the school does not require SAT or ACT scores for admission. The focus is entirely on removing barriers to entry for the local community.
The academic model is built around Guided Pathways and Career Education programs, designed to equip students with immediately relevant and career-advancing skills. The college offers associate degrees and certificates across several key areas, including Fitness Trainer programs and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields like Biomanufacturing. Programs undergo regular review to evaluate strengths and weaknesses. A noted feature of the academic experience is small class sizes, which foster an intimate learning environment where students can interact closely with professors.
The college encourages students to supplement their education by participating in campus life, including clubs and service organizations. Student Life programs are described as vibrant, and the campus offers athletics programs, including college football. The institution serves a diverse student body from all walks of life and promotes government-funded programs that provide extra financial, counseling, and academic support.
Outcome data shows a focus on student learning results and program completion. One source reports an overall graduation rate of 26.8% (IPEDS) and notes that 21.9% of all entering students earn their award within 8 years. According to the CANONICAL FIGURES, the median earnings 10 years after entry is $34,181. Other sources report earnings 1 year after graduation at $36,427 and earnings 5 years after graduation at $45,519.
The college provides a Calculator for students to estimate costs. According to the CANONICAL FIGURES, the average net price after aid is $12,647. One external source notes that 75% of Compton College's full-time beginning undergraduates received grant or scholarship aid. Financial aid is available to help pay for fees, books, supplies, and some living expenses, and students are directed to apply for federal aid. The Compton College Foundation provides additional financial support and scholarships.
Compton College stands out for its unwavering commitment to open access and serving its community. It is not a college defined by gates or hurdles, but by open doors. Its mission is practical and clear: to provide immediately relevant career education and transfer pathways, supported by small classes and a focus on student support services. It functions as a critical local institution, supporting students "from all walks of life" in fields ranging from film and television to welding. In a higher education landscape often obsessed with exclusivity, Compton College's identity is rooted in inclusivity and tangible, career-focused outcomes.