Crafton Hills College

With 73% of students attending part-time, campus culture leans more commuter than residential, but the Office of Student Life punches above its weight with:

• 30+ clubs ranging from Anime Club to Veterans United
• Multicultural Center hosting heritage month celebrations and dialogue circles
• Student Senate organizing free lunch events and wellness workshops

Friday classes are scarce—a nod to the workforce commitments of its predominantly adult learner population. The college leans into its SoCal location with hiking club trips to nearby Crafton Hills and yoga sessions in the campus quad. Recent investments in a new Multicultural Center signal growing attention to DEI initiatives, particularly for Latinx students who comprise 45% of enrollment.

CHC's 31% graduation rate (just below the national 2-year college average) reflects its high population of stop-out students, but completers see tangible results:

• Median earnings of $36,427 one year post-graduation
• 1,135 graduates in 2025 earning 878 associate degrees
• Strong pipeline to Cal State San Bernardino and UC Riverside for transfers

The college has room to grow in equity gaps—Latinx students graduate at a 25% rate compared to 38% for white peers. However, its "Math Jam" boot camps and embedded tutoring show promise, with participating students completing transfer-level math at twice the baseline rate. For career-focused students, CHC's Fire Technology program boasts a 90% EMT certification pass rate.

At $1,288 annual tuition for California residents, CHC delivers rare value, though only 58% of first-years receive grants or scholarships. Aid packages typically include:

• $5,320 in federal grants (mostly Pell Grants)
• $1,995 in state aid (Cal Grants)
• $702 in institutional scholarships

The college participates in federal loan programs but lacks a no-loan policy—students borrow an average of $3,500 annually. Savvy learners capitalize on the California College Promise Grant, which waives enrollment fees for qualifying low-income students. Those transferring to UCs can stack CHC's affordable credits (just $46/unit) with the Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) guarantee, potentially saving $70,000+ compared to four years at a university.

CHC shines as a stepping stone with soul—a place where single parents take night classes alongside dual-enrolled high schoolers, all supported by faculty who prioritize accessibility over prestige. Its Fire Academy and Nursing prerequisites are regional gems, producing first responders who staff local hospitals and fire departments. The college's scrappy innovation shows in surprises like a student-run vineyard (a nod to Yucaipa's agricultural roots) and psychology courses taught at nearby prisons. While it won't dazzle with ivy-covered quads, CHC delivers where it counts: low-cost, high-impact education that meets students exactly where they are.