Career Training Path › California › Rio Hondo College
Rio Hondo College
Whittier, California · Public college · Training programs available:
Address: 3600 Workman Mill Rd, Whittier, CA 90601 · Phone: (562) 692-0921 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Rio Hondo College is a public trade and career school in Whittier, California, offering auto mechanic, LPN/LVN, and welding programs, accredited by the ACCJC and ACEN.
Per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, graduates of Rio Hondo College carry a median debt of $5,500 and earn a median of $44,950 ten years after entry; the state average completion rate is 64.2%, though this campus's own rate isn't reported.
Cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for Rio Hondo College; contact the school for current tuition. Federal financial aid, including Pell Grants, can be used here, and about 26.2% of students receive Pell.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $38,180 | $64,980 | $77,060 |
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $64,390 | $79,750 | $93,720 |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 56 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 12 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Associate degree | 10 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 10 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 8 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | 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
Rio Hondo College is a public community college located in Whittier, California. It is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, and it participates in federal Title IV financial aid programs, meaning students can use FAFSA and Pell Grants to help pay for enrollment. The campus's trade and career training programs most commonly award credentials in auto mechanics, LPN/LVN nursing, and welding, with auto mechanic schools representing the largest share of completions.
Federal data shows the state average completion rate for comparable programs is 64.2%, though how Rio Hondo's own completion rate compares to that average is not reported for this campus in federal data. Graduates carry a median debt of $5,500, and median earnings ten years after entry are reported at $44,950. About 26.2% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a meaningful share of the student body qualifies for need-based aid. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data.
With a large undergraduate enrollment of over 15,000 and program offerings spanning shorter career-focused certificates (like auto mechanics and welding) to more clinically intensive LPN/LVN training, Rio Hondo may suit both first-time students and adult career changers, though specific program lengths are not detailed here. Prospective students should verify current accreditation status and detailed outcome data directly through the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard or by contacting the school.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Rio Hondo College offers programs in auto mechanic schools, LPN/LVN programs, and welding schools, with auto mechanics representing the largest number of completions (88). In total, the campus reports 8 program offerings across these trade families.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, Rio Hondo College is accredited. It holds accreditation from 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, Rio Hondo College participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so students can use FAFSA and Pell Grants. About 26.2% of students at this campus receive Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The campus's own completion rate is not reported in federal data. The state average completion rate for comparable programs is 64.2%, but a direct comparison for this campus isn't available.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates of Rio Hondo College carry a median debt of $5,500, per federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings for graduates ten years after entry are reported at $44,950.
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) 692-0921 or visit riohondo.edu for current tuition information.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Rio Hondo College is a public institution, which typically means lower tuition for state residents and eligibility for state and federal aid programs.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Specific program lengths are not reported in the available data; contact the school directly to confirm program duration for auto mechanics, LPN/LVN, or welding tracks.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation status through the ACCJC and ACEN, and review detailed federal outcome data via the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard at collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?121886.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing requirements are not detailed in this data; students in fields like LPN/LVN nursing typically need state licensure, so contact the school to confirm specific certification pathways.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Rio Hondo College by phone at (562) 692-0921 or through its website at riohondo.edu for application details.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data against other nearby schools is not reported in this dataset; the College Scorecard link can be used to look up and compare other institutions offering similar programs.
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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.