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Compton College

Compton, California · Public community college

Auto mechanic schoolsCosmetology schoolsCNC & machining programs
27%completion rate · California avg 64%
not reportedmedian debt of graduates
$28,922median earnings, 6 yrs after entry
$34,181median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
not reportedannual cost of attendance
Yesfederal aid (FAFSA / Pell) eligible
Accreditation: Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (Accredited)
Address: 1111 East Artesia Blvd., Compton, CA 90221 · Phone: (310) 900-1600 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
Accountability record (federal accreditation database, last 36 months; Department of Education oversight)
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Sanctions are probation, warning, show-cause and loss-of-accreditation actions by any recognized accreditor, including program-specific accreditors (a nursing-program probation counts for the campus). Routine monitoring reviews and voluntary withdrawals are not counted. Ask the school what the action concerned and how it was resolved.

Compton College is a public trade and career school in Compton, California offering auto mechanic, cosmetology, and CNC machining programs, accredited by the ACCJC.

Compton College's completion rate is 26.8%, below the state average of 64.2%, and median earnings 10 years after entry are $34,181, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for Compton College; contact the school for current tuition. Federal financial aid, including Pell Grants, can be used here, and about 26.8% of students receive Pell.

Completion rate vs. benchmarks
Compton College Compton College: 26.8% 26.8% California average California average: 64.2% 64.2% National average National average: 62.1% 62.1%

What these trades pay once you're working

OccupationStarting (10th pct)MedianExperienced (75th)
Automotive service technicians and mechanics$38,180$64,980$77,060
Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists$35,360$38,660$49,030
Machinists$37,440$57,190$74,210

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

ProgramCredentialGrads / yrEarnings, yr 1Earnings, yr 2Median debt
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians Certificate, 300–899 hours 53 not reported not reported not reported
Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services Certificate, 1–2 years 31 not reported not reported not reported
Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services Certificate, 300–899 hours 25 not reported not reported not reported
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians Certificate, 300–899 hours 21 not reported not reported not reported
Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services Associate degree 8 not reported not reported not reported
Precision Metal Working Certificate, 300–899 hours 7 not reported not reported not reported
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians Certificate, 1–2 years 3 not reported not reported not reported
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians Associate degree 2 not reported not reported not reported
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians Associate degree 2 not reported not reported not reported
Precision Metal Working Associate degree 1 not reported not reported not reported

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.

Visit the school's website ↗

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About this school

Compton College is a public community college in Compton, California, accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges. Because it participates in Title IV programs, students can use federal financial aid such as FAFSA and Pell Grants to help cover costs. The campus awards the most credentials in auto mechanic schools (81), cosmetology schools (64), and CNC & machining programs (8), across a total of 10 program families offered on this large suburban campus.

Federal data shows a completion rate of 26.8%, which is below the state average of 64.2%. Among students tracked by the College Scorecard, median earnings 10 years after entry are $34,181. Median debt of graduates is not reported for this campus in federal data, and annual cost of attendance is also not reported for this campus in federal data. About 26.8% of students receive Pell Grants, pointing to a substantial share of lower-income students enrolled here.

This campus may suit students pursuing hands-on, program-specific training in auto mechanics, cosmetology, or CNC machining rather than a general transfer degree, though exact program lengths are not reported for this campus in federal data. Career changers considering enrollment should independently verify program length, licensing requirements, and current costs by contacting the school directly. Prospective students can confirm accreditation status and review the latest outcome figures through the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard before enrolling.

Questions students ask

What trade and career programs does this campus offer?

Compton College's top trade programs are auto mechanic schools, cosmetology schools, and CNC & machining programs, part of 10 total program families offered on campus.

Is this school accredited, and by whom?

Yes, Compton College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, and its accreditation status is listed as Accredited.

Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?

Yes, Compton College participates in Title IV federal aid programs, so students can use FAFSA and Pell Grants. About 26.8% of students at this campus receive Pell Grants.

What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?

The completion rate at Compton College is 26.8%, which is below the California state average of 64.2%, according to federal data.

How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?

Median debt of graduates is not reported for this campus in federal data. Contact the school at (310) 900-1600 or visit the College Scorecard for updated figures.

What do graduates of this school earn?

Median earnings 10 years after entry are $34,181 for students who attended Compton College, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

How much does it cost to attend for a year?

Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. Contact Compton College directly or visit compton.edu for current tuition rates.

Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?

Compton College is a public institution, which typically means lower published tuition rates for state residents compared to for-profit trade schools, though actual costs are not reported here.

How long do the programs here take to complete?

Program lengths are not reported for this campus in federal data. Contact the school directly to ask about specific program durations.

How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?

You can verify accreditation status directly with the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, and review federal outcome data at the College Scorecard link: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?112686.

Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?

The campus offers program-specific training in fields like auto mechanics, cosmetology, and CNC machining, which may suit career changers, but program length and schedule details are not reported here, so contacting the school is recommended.

How do I contact the school or apply?

You can reach Compton College at (310) 900-1600 or through its website, https://www.compton.edu/, for application details.

How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?

Federal data does not provide a direct comparison between this campus and other nearby trade schools. Use the College Scorecard to look up similar programs at other institutions for comparison.

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.

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