Career Training Path › California › Golden West College
Golden West College
Huntington Beach, California · Public community college
Address: 15744 Goldenwest St., Huntington Beach, CA 92647 · Phone: (714) 892-7711 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Golden West College is a public trade and career school in Huntington Beach, CA, offering cosmetology and auto mechanic programs, accredited by ACCJC and ACEN.
Golden West College has a 49.1% completion rate, below the state average of 64.2%, with median graduate debt of $7,179 and median earnings of $43,145 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for Golden West College; contact the school for current tuition. Federal financial aid, including Pell Grants, can be used, and about 23.4% of students receive Pell.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $35,360 | $38,660 | $49,030 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $38,180 | $64,980 | $77,060 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 60 | $17,577 | not reported | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 45 | $17,577 | not reported | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Associate degree | 28 | not reported | $20,140 | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 22 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 12 | 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
Golden West College is a public community college in Huntington Beach, California, accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. Because it is a Title IV school, students can use federal financial aid such as FAFSA and Pell Grants. Among its trade offerings, the campus awards the most credentials in cosmetology (133) and auto mechanics (34), across five program families in total.
Federal data shows a completion rate of 49.1%, below the state average of 64.2%. Graduates who took out loans carried a median debt of $7,179, and median earnings ten years after entry were $43,145. About 23.4% of students receive Pell Grants. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data.
With 167 trade program completers out of an undergraduate enrollment of 9,034, Golden West College serves both traditional students and those pursuing shorter, hands-on trade credentials like cosmetology or auto mechanics, which can suit adult career-changers seeking a faster path into a skilled trade, though specific program lengths are not detailed here. Prospective students should confirm accreditation status directly with the school and review current outcomes on the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard before enrolling.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Golden West College offers five trade program families, with the most completions in cosmetology (133) and auto mechanics (34).
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, Golden West College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, Golden West College 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 49.1%, which is below the California state average of 64.2%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Median debt among graduates is $7,179, according to federal Scorecard data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings ten years after entry are $43,145, 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 at (714) 892-7711 or visit its website for current tuition figures.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Golden West College is a public institution, which often means lower tuition and eligibility for state funding compared to for-profit schools.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Specific program lengths are not reported in this data; contact the school for details on program duration.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can confirm accreditation status and review federal outcome data directly on the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?115126.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The presence of shorter, hands-on programs like cosmetology and auto mechanics may suit adults seeking a faster route into a skilled trade, though exact program lengths and schedules are not detailed in this data.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Golden West College at (714) 892-7711 or through its website, https://www.goldenwestcollege.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
This data does not include comparisons to other nearby schools; check the College Scorecard for similar institutions in the area.
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.