Career Training Path › California › Columbia College
Columbia College
Sonora, California · Public community college · Training programs available:
Address: 11600 Columbia College Dr, Sonora, CA 95370 · Phone: (209) 588-5100 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Columbia College is a public trade and career school in Sonora, California, offering culinary, auto mechanic, and welding programs, accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges.
Columbia College has a 26.5% completion rate, below the state average of 64.2%, and median earnings of $39,035 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Median graduate debt is not reported for this campus.
Cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for Columbia College; contact the school for current tuition. Federal financial aid can be used here, and about 28.4% 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 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $38,180 | $64,980 | $77,060 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $44,520 | $58,060 | $70,400 |
| Emergency medical technicians | $38,740 | $46,380 | $59,180 |
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 | 23 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | 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
Columbia College is a public trade and career-training campus in Sonora, California, accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges. Students at this campus can use federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants. The school awards a range of career-focused credentials, with the most common programs being culinary & pastry schools, auto mechanic schools, and welding schools, drawn from nine program families offered on campus.
Federal data shows a completion rate of 26.5%, which is below the state average of 64.2% for similar institutions. Median debt of graduates is not reported for this campus in federal data. Median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $39,035. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. About 28.4% of students receive Pell Grants, an indicator of the share of lower-income students served.
This campus, located in a fringe rural setting, may suit students pursuing hands-on, program-specific training such as culinary arts, auto mechanics, or welding rather than a traditional four-year path. Program lengths are not detailed in the data provided, so applicants should confirm scheduling and format directly with the school. Prospective students and career changers should verify current accreditation status and outcomes using the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard or by contacting the school directly, since some figures — including cost and graduate debt — are not reported for this campus in federal data.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Columbia College offers nine program families, with the most common being culinary & pastry schools, auto mechanic schools, and welding schools.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, Columbia 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, this campus participates in Title IV federal aid programs, so students may 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 26.5%, which is below the state average of 64.2% for comparable programs.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Median debt for graduates is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school at (209) 588-5100 or check the College Scorecard for updates.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are $39,035, per federal Scorecard 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 directly or visit its website for current tuition figures.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Columbia College is a public institution, which typically means lower tuition and eligibility for state as well as federal aid programs.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program lengths are not reported in the data provided; prospective students should confirm schedules directly with the school.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation through the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges and review outcome data at the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?112561).
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The campus offers hands-on program families like culinary, auto mechanic, and welding training, which may suit career changers, though specific adult-learner services are not reported in this data.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing or certification requirements are not reported in this data; contact the school directly to learn what credentials its programs prepare graduates for.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Columbia College at (209) 588-5100 or visit https://www.gocolumbia.edu/ for application details.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data on nearby schools is not included here; use the College Scorecard link to compare completion rates and earnings across institutions.
Nearby trade and career schools in California
- Sonora Union High School DistrictSonora, CA
- Sonora Union High School, ROP CosmetologySonora, CA · state-licensed school
- Merced CollegeMerced, CA · 36% completion
- Modesto Junior CollegeModesto, CA · college
- San Joaquin Valley College-ModestoSalida, CA · 77% completion
- Paul Mitchell the School-ModestoModesto, CA · 80% completion
- Milan Institute-MercedMerced, CA · 55% completion
- North Adrian's College of Beauty IncModesto, CA · 70% 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.