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San Diego City College
San Diego, California · Public community college
Address: 1313 Park Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92101 · Phone: (619) 388-3400 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
San Diego City College is a public trade and career school in San Diego, California, offering cosmetology, electrician, and CNC machining programs, accredited by ACCJC.
San Diego City College has a 30.4% completion rate, below the California state average of 64.2%, with median graduate debt of $7,689 and median earnings of $38,503 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. Federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, can be used here, and about 23.1% of students receive Pell Grants.
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 |
| Electricians | $46,800 | $76,160 | $103,000 |
| Machinists | $37,440 | $57,190 | $74,210 |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters | $47,350 | $72,830 | $100,200 |
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, 300–899 hours | 52 | $18,718 | $15,922 | not reported |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 9 | not reported | $59,124 | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Associate degree | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 4 | $18,718 | $15,922 | not reported |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Associate degree | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services | Associate degree | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | 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
San Diego City College is a public, Title IV-eligible community college in San Diego, California. It 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. The campus offers eight trade and career program families, with the most completers in cosmetology schools (62), electrician schools (12), and CNC & machining programs (3).
Federal data shows a completion rate of 30.4%, which is below the California state average of 64.2%. Graduates carry a median debt of $7,689 and median earnings of $38,503 ten years after entry. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. About 23.1% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a meaningful share of low-income enrollment. Total undergraduate enrollment is 10,441, with 78 trade program completers reported.
Because the school offers a mix of shorter certificate-style trade programs (cosmetology, electrician, CNC/machining) alongside broader community college offerings, it may suit both recent high school graduates and adult career changers seeking hands-on training, though specific program lengths and schedules are not detailed here and should be confirmed directly with the school. Prospective students should verify current accreditation status and review full outcome data through the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard before enrolling, since completion and earnings figures shown here reflect campus-wide averages rather than individual program results.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
San Diego City College offers eight trade and career program families, with the most completers in cosmetology schools (62), electrician schools (12), and CNC & machining programs (3).
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the school 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, this school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so FAFSA and Pell Grants can be used.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 30.4%, which is below the California state average of 64.2%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carry a median debt of $7,689, according to federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings for graduates are $38,503 ten years after entry, per federal 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 (619) 388-3400 or visit https://www.sdcity.edu/ for current tuition information.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
San Diego City College is a public institution, which generally means lower tuition costs 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 the available data; contact the school directly to confirm program duration.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation status and review detailed outcome data through the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?122339.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The campus offers a mix of shorter trade programs, such as cosmetology and electrician training, alongside broader college offerings, which may suit adult career changers, though specific scheduling details are not reported here.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing and certification requirements are not reported in the available data; contact the school directly for program-specific licensing information.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can contact San Diego City College at (619) 388-3400 or visit their website at https://www.sdcity.edu/ for application details.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data for nearby schools is not included here; use the College Scorecard link to compare completion rates, costs, and earnings across institutions.
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.