Career Training Path › California › CET-El Centro
CET-El Centro
El Centro, California · Private non-profit career school
Address: 294 S 3rd St, El Centro, CA 92243 · Phone: (408) 287-7924 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
CET-El Centro is a private non-profit trade school in El Centro, California offering CDL/truck driving, welding, and construction trades programs, accredited by the Council on Occupational Education.
CET-El Centro reports a 92.5% completion rate versus a 64.2% state average, with median graduate debt of $7,041 and median earnings of $32,986 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Annual cost of attendance at CET-El Centro is reported at $27,129, and the school participates in federal Title IV aid, with 30.9% of students receiving Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers | $41,830 | $60,230 | $72,330 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $44,520 | $58,060 | $70,400 |
| Construction laborers | $40,950 | $60,270 | $78,520 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in California (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Transportation | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 53 | $36,246 | $32,028 | $6,650 |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 49 | $32,198 | $27,675 | $8,500 |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | Certificate, 1–2 years | 23 | $25,247 | $22,094 | $6,323 |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
CET-El Centro is a private non-profit trade and career-training campus located in El Centro, California. It is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education and is approved for federal financial aid (Title IV), meaning eligible students can use FAFSA, Pell Grants and federal loans to help pay for tuition. The campus offers three program families, with the most-completed programs being CDL / truck driving training, welding, and construction trades.
Federal data shows a completion rate of 92.5%, well above the California state average of 64.2%. Graduates carry a median debt of $7,041, and median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $32,986. The annual cost of attendance is listed at $27,129, and 30.9% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a meaningful share of low-income enrollment.
This campus is structured around short, hands-on trade programs rather than multi-year associate or bachelor's degrees, based on the program families offered (CDL, welding, construction trades). That structure may suit students seeking a faster path into a skilled trade, including adult career changers, though specific program lengths are not reported for this campus in federal data. Prospective students should verify current accreditation status directly with the Council on Occupational Education and review outcome data on the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard before enrolling.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
CET-El Centro offers CDL/truck driving training, welding schools, and construction trades programs, across three program families total.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the campus is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education and its accreditation status is listed as accredited.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this campus participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so eligible students can use FAFSA, federal loans and Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is reported at 92.5%, which is above the California state average of 64.2%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Median debt among graduates is reported at $7,041.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $32,986.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
The annual cost of attendance is reported at $27,129.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
CET-El Centro is a private non-profit school, which can affect its financial structure and eligibility for certain aid, though Title IV eligibility here is confirmed regardless.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Specific program lengths are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly at (408) 287-7924 or via https://cetweb.edu/ for details.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can confirm accreditation with the Council on Occupational Education and review federal outcome data on the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?111726.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The program families offered — CDL, welding, and construction trades — are typically shorter, hands-on training tracks, which may fit adult career changers, though the school does not report specific program lengths or scheduling in federal data.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Specific licensing or certification requirements after completing a program are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school for program-specific credentialing information.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach CET-El Centro at (408) 287-7924 or through its website, https://cetweb.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data against other nearby schools is not reported in federal data; check the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?111726 for comparable campus figures.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.