Susanville, CApubliclassencollege.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.
Lassen Community College, nestled in the rural town of Susanville, California, is an open-access institution with a 100% acceptance rate, serving a diverse student body with a focus on liberal arts, career technical education, and workforce development. Known for its affordable tuition and residential campus—a rarity among community colleges—Lassen offers a no-frills, practical education with a median graduate earning $36,427 within a year of completing their studies.
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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.
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Lassen Community College operates on an open-admission policy, accepting 100% of applicants—a fact consistently reported across multiple sources, including Niche, College Board’s BigFuture, and Peterson’s. The process is straightforward: applicants submit high school transcripts or equivalent documentation (like military records), though SAT/ACT scores are optional and primarily used for course placement. Notably, there’s no early decision or demonstrated interest policy, aligning with its mission to provide accessible education. The student body reflects this inclusivity, with 55% minority enrollment and a mix of traditional and non-traditional learners.
Lassen’s academic offerings are pragmatic, with liberal arts and humanities dominating degree awards (440 annually), followed by protective services (29) and history (13). The college emphasizes career-ready programs, including certificates and associate degrees in fields like fire technology and welding, tailored to regional workforce needs—a response to local job losses tied to prison closures. Requirements are straightforward: a minimum ‘C’ in core courses and a 2.0 GPA overall. The student-faculty ratio of suggests larger class sizes, though the focus is on affordability and transfer readiness rather than small seminars.
Unusual for a community college, Lassen offers on-campus housing in a residence hall with communal kitchens, laundry, and a rec room—a perk for students in this remote region. The campus includes a gym, library, and cafeteria, though social life leans low-key, with limited student organizations. The surrounding area, a high-desert landscape near the Sierra Nevada, appeals to outdoorsy types. Recent expansions aim to bolster community ties, including partnerships with local fire departments and healthcare providers, reflecting the college’s role as a regional hub.
Graduation rates are modest (9% within 3 years, per College Scorecard), though median earnings post-graduation are competitive: $36,427 after one year, rising slightly over time. The low completion rate aligns with national trends for open-access colleges serving high proportions of part-time and low-income students. Notably, Lassen’s career-focused programs—like fire technology—likely boost short-term earnings for certificate holders, though data disaggregating by program is limited.
Lassen is among California’s most affordable colleges, with in-state tuition at $1,127 and out-of-state at $5,903 annually. The average Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. after aid is $10,336, with 61% of students receiving grants (average package: $6,692). Federal Pell Grants cover demonstrated need, but the college doesn’t advertise a no-loan policy or full-need meeting guarantee. Financial aid deadlines are lax (February 15), reinforcing its accessibility mission.
Lassen’s residential campus sets it apart from most community colleges, offering a traditional college experience at a fraction of the cost. Its 100% acceptance rate and focus on workforce-ready programs (like firefighting) cater to non-traditional students and career-changers. While graduation rates are low, its role as an economic engine in a rural area—and its median earnings outperforming many peers—make it a pragmatic choice for those seeking quick entry into stable careers.