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American River College
Sacramento, California · Public community college · Training programs available:
Address: 4700 College Oak Dr, Sacramento, CA 95841 · Phone: (916) 484-8011 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
American River College is a public trade and career school in Sacramento, CA offering welding, culinary arts, and electrician training, accredited by the ACCJC.
American River College has a 36.6% completion rate, below the state average of 64.2%, with median graduate debt of $9,625 and median earnings of $40,162 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for American River College; contact the school for current tuition. Federal financial aid, including Pell Grants, is available, and 21.1% of students receive Pell.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $44,520 | $58,060 | $70,400 |
| Chefs and head cooks | $37,380 | $64,500 | $81,040 |
| Electricians | $46,800 | $76,160 | $103,000 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $38,180 | $64,980 | $77,060 |
| Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists | $47,180 | $73,950 | $84,740 |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters | $47,350 | $72,830 | $100,200 |
| Nursing assistants | $40,110 | $47,630 | $54,800 |
| Emergency medical technicians | $38,740 | $46,380 | $59,180 |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 61 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 31 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Certificate, 1–2 years | 27 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 26 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 21 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 14 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 12 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 10 | not reported | $36,141 | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 9 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 8 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 8 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 7 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Carpenters | Associate degree | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 3 | not reported | $36,141 | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 2 | not reported | $36,141 | not reported |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Associate degree | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services | Associate degree | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 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.
About this school
American River College is a public community college in Sacramento, California, accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (with the funeral service program separately accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education). Students here can use federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants. Across its 25 program families, the campus's largest trade programs are welding, culinary and pastry arts, and electrician training, with 275 students completing a trade program in the tracked period out of an undergraduate enrollment of 25,621.
Federal data shows a completion rate of 36.6%, below the state average of 64.2% for similar institutions. Graduates carry a median debt of $9,625, and median earnings ten years after entry are reported at $40,162. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. About 21.1% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a meaningful share of low-income enrollment.
This campus is likely to suit students seeking shorter, hands-on trade credentials such as welding or electrician training rather than long-term degree paths, though program length details are not reported here. Adults changing careers should confirm specific program formats and schedules directly with the school. Prospective students should verify accreditation status and outcomes independently through the ACCJC website and the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard before enrolling.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
American River College offers 25 program families including welding, culinary and pastry arts, electrician training, auto and diesel mechanics, plumbing, CNA classes, EMT training, and construction trades. Its largest programs by completions are welding (107), culinary & pastry (38), and electrician schools (32).
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, American River College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges. Its funeral service program is separately accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education, Committee on Accreditation.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so students can use FAFSA and Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 36.6%, which is below the state average of 64.2% for comparable institutions, per federal data.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carry a median debt of $9,625, according to federal Scorecard data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings ten years after entry are reported at $40,162.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly at (916) 484-8011 or visit its website for current tuition figures.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
American River College is a public institution, which typically means lower published tuition rates for state residents and eligibility for state funding, though actual costs are not reported here.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program length is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school to confirm specific program durations.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation through the ACCJC and review official outcome data on the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?109208.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The presence of shorter trade programs like welding and electrician training may suit career changers, but specific program length and schedule details are not reported in this data; confirm directly with the school.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing or certification requirements 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 American River College at (916) 484-8011 or through its website, https://www.arc.losrios.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data on nearby schools is not included in this listing; check the College Scorecard site to compare completion rates, costs, and earnings across institutions.
Other trade and career schools in Sacramento, CA
- UEI College-SacramentoSacramento, CA · 60% completion
- Universal Technical Institute of Northern California IncSacramento, CA · 65% completion
- Cosumnes River CollegeSacramento, CA · 40% completion
- Independent Training & Apprenticeship ProgramSacramento, CA · 92% completion
- Charles A Jones Career and Education CenterSacramento, CA · 65% completion
- Carrington College-SacramentoSacramento, CA · college
- MTI CollegeSacramento, CA · 77% completion
- Paul Mitchell the School-SacramentoSacramento, CA · 79% completion
See all trade and career schools in California or search by ZIP code.
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.