Career Training Path › California › Hartnell College
Hartnell College
Salinas, California · Public community college · Training programs available:
Address: 411 Central Avenue, Salinas, CA 93901 · Phone: (831) 755-6700 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Hartnell College is a public trade and career school in Salinas, CA offering LPN/LVN, auto mechanic, and construction trades programs, accredited by the ACCJC.
Hartnell College's completion rate is 40.0%, below the state average of 64.2%, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard; median earnings 10 years after entry are $44,316. Median graduate debt is not reported for this campus.
Cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for Hartnell College; contact the school for current tuition. Federal financial aid can be used here, and about 31.5% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $64,390 | $79,750 | $93,720 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $38,180 | $64,980 | $77,060 |
| Construction laborers | $40,950 | $60,270 | $78,520 |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 40 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Associate degree | 18 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 10 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | Associate degree | 8 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 2 | 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
Hartnell College is a public trade and career training campus in Salinas, California. It participates in federal Title IV financial aid, meaning students can use FAFSA-based aid to help pay for programs. The college is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, and its nursing offerings hold accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. Hartnell awards the most credentials in LPN/LVN programs (58 completers), auto mechanic schools (10 completers), and construction trades programs (8 completers), across six recognized program families including welding.
Federal data shows a completion rate of 40.0%, which is below the state average of 64.2% for comparable programs. Median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $44,316. Median debt of graduates is not reported for this campus in federal data, and annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. About 31.5% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a meaningful share of financially eligible students.
This campus may suit students pursuing shorter, licensure-track programs such as LPN/LVN training, as well as those in hands-on trades like auto mechanics, construction, and welding, though the data does not specify program lengths or delivery format. Career changers and adult students should verify current program details directly with Hartnell College. To confirm accreditation status and review official outcome data, check the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and the accreditors named above before enrolling.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Hartnell College's top programs are LPN/LVN programs (58 completers), auto mechanic schools (10 completers), and construction trades programs (8 completers), along with welding, across six recognized program families.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, Hartnell College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, with its nursing programs also accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, Hartnell College participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so students can use FAFSA-based aid, including Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 40.0%, which is below the California state average of 64.2%, per federal data.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Median debt of graduates is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school at (831) 755-6700 or check the College Scorecard link for updates.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $44,316, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
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 for current tuition figures.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Hartnell College is a public institution, which typically means lower tuition for state residents and eligibility for state-funded aid programs.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program length is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact Hartnell College directly to confirm program schedules.
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 official outcome data on the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?115393.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The data does not specify program length or delivery format, so fit for adult career changers cannot be confirmed from federal data alone; contact the school to discuss options.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensure requirements are not reported in this data; students in fields like LPN/LVN programs should check with the relevant state licensing board and confirm with Hartnell College.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Hartnell College at (831) 755-6700 or visit https://www.hartnell.edu/ for application information.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
This data does not include comparative information on nearby schools; use the College Scorecard to compare completion rates, costs, and earnings across institutions.
Other trade and career schools in Salinas, CA
- CET-SalinasSalinas, CA · 68% completion
- Central Coast CollegeSalinas, CA · 67% completion
- Waynes College of BeautySalinas, CA · 93% completion
- Alisal Union School DistrictSalinas, CA
- Coastal Trucking Institute, LLCSalinas, CA
- DoubleR investments L.L.C.Salinas, CA
- Monterey COSalinas, CA
- NmcusdSalinas, 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.