Career Training Path › California › Cabrillo College
Cabrillo College
Aptos, California · Public community college · Training programs available:
Address: 6500 Soquel Dr, Aptos, CA 95003 · Phone: (831) 479-6100 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Cabrillo College is a public trade and career school in Aptos, California, offering culinary, construction trades, and medical assistant programs, accredited by the ACCJC.
Cabrillo College's completion rate is 38.0%, below the California state average of 64.2%; median graduate debt is $14,380 and median earnings 10 years after entry are $44,114, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for Cabrillo College; federal financial aid including FAFSA and Pell Grants can be used, and about 24.4% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chefs and head cooks | $37,380 | $64,500 | $81,040 |
| Construction laborers | $40,950 | $60,270 | $78,520 |
| Medical assistants | $39,290 | $49,660 | $61,870 |
| Radiologic technologists and technicians | $70,210 | $121,260 | $137,770 |
| Dental hygienists | $102,090 | $124,930 | $132,120 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $44,520 | $58,060 | $70,400 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 77 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 26 | $37,979 | $29,685 | not reported |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 25 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 23 | $73,895 | $67,101 | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 19 | $37,979 | $29,685 | not reported |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Associate degree | 19 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 14 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 14 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 10 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | Associate degree | 10 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 8 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | 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 |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | Associate degree | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | Certificate, 1–2 years | 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
Cabrillo College is a public community college in Aptos, California, accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, with additional programmatic accreditation from the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation and the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. Federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, can be used here. Across its 16 trade and career programs, the campus awards the most credentials in culinary & pastry arts (91), construction trades (60), and medical assistant training (59), alongside programs in radiology technology, dental hygiene, and welding.
Federal data show a completion rate of 38.0%, below the California state average of 64.2%. Graduates carry a median debt of $14,380, and median earnings 10 years after entry are $44,114. About 24.4% of students receive Pell Grants. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data.
With a mix of short career-training programs and longer associate-degree pathways, Cabrillo College may suit both recent high school graduates and adult career changers, though specific program lengths and schedules aren't detailed here — contact the school directly to confirm. Prospective students should verify current accreditation status and outcomes using the College Scorecard link or by contacting the school's admissions office before enrolling.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Cabrillo College offers 16 trade and career programs, with the most completers in culinary & pastry arts (91), construction trades (60), and medical assistant programs (59). It also offers radiology technology, dental hygiene, and welding programs.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, Cabrillo College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges. It also holds programmatic accreditation from the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation and the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, meaning FAFSA and Pell Grants can be used. About 24.4% 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 is 38.0%, which is below the California state average of 64.2%, per federal data.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carry a median debt of $14,380, according to federal College Scorecard data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are $44,114, per federal data.
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 at (831) 479-6100 or visit its website for current tuition information.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Cabrillo College is a public institution, which often means lower tuition for state residents compared to for-profit schools, and eligibility for state funding.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program lengths are not reported in the available data. Contact the school directly to confirm the duration of specific programs.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation and outcomes using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?110334, or by contacting the school directly.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The campus offers both shorter career-training programs and longer associate-degree pathways, which may suit adult career changers, though specific scheduling details are not reported in this data. Contact the school to discuss options for working adults.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing and certification requirements are not reported in this data. Contact the school or check with your state's licensing board for programs such as dental hygiene or radiologic technology.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Cabrillo College at (831) 479-6100 or visit https://www.cabrillo.edu/ for application information.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data with nearby schools is not reported here. Use the College Scorecard link to compare completion rates, debt, and earnings across similar institutions.
Nearby trade and career schools in California
- De Anza CollegeCupertino, CA · 68% completion
- Mission CollegeSanta Clara, CA · 39% completion
- CET-WatsonvilleWatsonville, CA · 83% completion
- West Valley CollegeSaratoga, CA · 51% completion
- Institute for Business and TechnologySanta Clara, CA · 84% completion
- Gavilan CollegeGilroy, CA · 43% completion
- Aromas-San Juan Unified School DistrictSan Juan Bautista, CA
- DiscoveryCastroville, CA
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.