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Coalinga College
Coalinga, California · Public community college · Training programs available:
Address: 300 Cherry Lane, Coalinga, CA 93210 · Phone: (559) 934-2000 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Coalinga College is a public trade and career school in Coalinga, California, offering welding, heavy equipment operator, and CDL truck driving programs. It is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges.
Coalinga College has a 43.1% completion rate, below the state average of 64.2%, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Median graduate debt is $6,750 and median earnings 10 years after entry are $37,633.
Cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for Coalinga College; contact the school for current tuition. The school participates in federal financial aid (title IV), and about 19.9% 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 |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators | $52,760 | $87,160 | $125,560 |
| Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers | $41,830 | $60,230 | $72,330 |
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 | 9 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 9 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Ground Transportation | 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
Coalinga College is a public trade and career campus located in Coalinga, California, a remote-town setting. It is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges and participates in federal financial aid programs, meaning eligible students can use FAFSA and Pell Grants toward their education. The campus's top trade programs are welding schools, heavy equipment operator schools, and CDL/truck driving schools, with welding and heavy equipment programs each accounting for the majority of the 19 trade completers reported.
Federal data shows a completion rate of 43.1%, which is below the state average of 64.2%. Graduates who took on debt carried a median of $6,750, and median earnings ten years after entry were reported at $37,633. About 19.9% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a portion of the student body qualifies for need-based aid. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data.
This campus may suit students interested in short, hands-on trade programs such as welding, heavy equipment operation, or truck driving rather than multi-year associate degree tracks, though specific program lengths are not detailed here. Career changers should independently confirm scheduling, format, and licensing requirements directly with the school. To verify accreditation status and review the latest federal outcome data, prospective students can check with the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges and consult the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard using the link provided by the school.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Coalinga College's top trade programs are welding schools, heavy equipment operator schools, and CDL/truck driving schools, spanning three program families overall.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, Coalinga College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, with an accreditation status listed as accredited.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, Coalinga College participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so eligible 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 43.1%, which is below the state average of 64.2%, according to federal data.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Median debt among graduates is reported as $6,750.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings ten years after entry are reported as $37,633.
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 (559) 934-2000 or visit its website for current tuition.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Coalinga College is a public institution, which can affect tuition rates and financial aid eligibility compared to private or for-profit schools.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program length is not reported in the available data; contact the school directly to confirm program duration.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can confirm accreditation through the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges and review federal outcome data via the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?125462.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The listed programs, such as welding and heavy equipment operation, are typically shorter trade programs, but specific scheduling or format details for career changers are not reported here; contact the school to confirm fit.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing or certification requirements are not reported in this data; check with the school or relevant state licensing board for program-specific requirements.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Coalinga College by phone at (559) 934-2000 or through its website at https://www.westhillscollege.com/coalinga/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data with nearby schools is not reported here; check the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?125462 to compare outcomes across institutions.
Nearby trade and career schools in California
- Coalinga Huron Unified School DistrictCoalinga, CA
- West Hills College CoalingaCoalinga, CA
- Advanced Career InstituteVisalia, CA · 81% completion
- College of the SequoiasVisalia, CA · 39% completion
- Advanced Career Institute Visalia CaVisalia, CA
- Aldaco Truck Schoolwasco, CA
- Armando Suarez Flores TBUESDTerra Bella, CA
- Classic Charter, Inc.Visalia, 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.