Career Training Path › California › Cerritos College
Cerritos College
Norwalk, California · Public community college · Training programs available:
Address: 11110 Alondra Blvd, Norwalk, CA 90650 · Phone: (562) 860-2451 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Cerritos College is a public trade and career school in Norwalk, California, offering welding, auto mechanic, and cosmetology programs, accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges.
Cerritos College has a 30.5% completion rate, below the state average of 64.2%, with median graduate debt of $8,447 and median earnings of $41,156 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for Cerritos College; contact the school for current tuition. Federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, can be used here, and about 36.3% of students receive Pell Grants.
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 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $38,180 | $64,980 | $77,060 |
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $35,360 | $38,660 | $49,030 |
| Medical assistants | $39,290 | $49,660 | $61,870 |
| Chefs and head cooks | $37,380 | $64,500 | $81,040 |
| Pharmacy technicians | $42,850 | $55,110 | $65,590 |
| Dental assistants | $38,790 | $50,110 | $60,670 |
| Machinists | $37,440 | $57,190 | $74,210 |
| Dental hygienists | $102,090 | $124,930 | $132,120 |
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, 300–899 hours | 71 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 65 | $26,738 | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 32 | not reported | $28,236 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 32 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 31 | $48,147 | $51,169 | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 29 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 28 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Associate degree | 26 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 25 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 21 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 20 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 18 | $48,147 | $51,169 | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 18 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 17 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Associate degree | 17 | $62,409 | $60,578 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 16 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 15 | $48,147 | $51,169 | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 14 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Associate degree | 10 | $62,409 | $60,578 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 5 | $26,738 | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 5 | not reported | $28,236 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 3 | 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
Cerritos College is a public trade and career-training campus in Norwalk, California, located in a large suburb. It participates in federal financial aid programs (Title IV), meaning eligible students can use FAFSA, Pell Grants, and federal loans to help pay for programs here. The school holds accreditation through several bodies, including the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges and specialized accreditors for nursing, dental, and physical therapy education. Its most-awarded trade programs are welding schools, auto mechanic schools, and cosmetology schools, alongside 26 total program offerings spanning fields like medical assisting, culinary arts, pharmacy technology, dental assisting, CNC machining, and dental hygiene.
Looking at the numbers: Cerritos College's completion rate is 30.5%, which is below the state average of 64.2%. Graduates who took out loans carried a median debt of $8,447. Median earnings ten years after entry were reported at $41,156. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. About 36.3% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a substantial share of lower-income enrollees among the school's 18,870 undergraduates.
This campus may suit students seeking short, skills-focused trade programs in fields like welding, auto repair, or cosmetology, given its heavy enrollment in those areas relative to its 538 trade completers. Whether it fits an adult career-changer depends on program length and schedule details not included in this data, so prospective students should contact the school directly. To verify accreditation status and outcome figures independently, consult the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard or the listed accreditors' websites.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Cerritos College offers 26 trade and career programs, with the most-awarded being welding schools, auto mechanic schools, and cosmetology schools. It also offers programs in medical assisting, culinary arts, pharmacy technology, dental assisting, CNC machining, and dental hygiene.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, Cerritos College is accredited. Accreditors include the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation, and the American Physical Therapy Association's Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, Cerritos College participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so eligible students can use FAFSA, Pell Grants, and federal loans.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate at Cerritos College is 30.5%, which is below the California state average of 64.2%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates of Cerritos College carried a median debt of $8,447.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings for graduates ten years after entry were $41,156.
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 (562) 860-2451 or visit its website for current tuition figures.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Cerritos College is a public institution, which typically means lower tuition for state residents compared to for-profit schools, though this data does not report specific tuition figures.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program lengths are not reported in this data. Contact the school directly to confirm program schedules and duration.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation and outcomes through the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?111887, or by checking with the listed accrediting bodies directly.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
This is not directly reported in federal data. Prospective adult students should contact the school to ask about program formats and schedules that fit career-changer needs.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing and certification requirements are not reported in this data. Contact Cerritos College directly to learn about credentialing tied to specific programs like welding or cosmetology.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Cerritos College by phone at (562) 860-2451 or visit its website at https://www.cerritos.edu/ for application information.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
This data does not include comparisons with other nearby schools. Use the College Scorecard link to compare completion rates, debt, and earnings across similar institutions.
Nearby trade and career schools in California
- Master AcademyNorwalk, CA · state-licensed school
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- Cypress CollegeCypress, CA · college
- Beyond 21st Century Beauty AcademySanta Fe Springs, CA · career school
- NTMA Training Centers of Southern CaliforniaSanta Fe Springs, CA · career school
- Rio Hondo CollegeWhittier, CA · college
- Maiquela's Cosmetology AcademyWhittier, CA · state-licensed school
- Medical Allied Career CenterSanta Fe Springs, CA · 81% 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.