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San Joaquin Valley College-Santa Maria
Santa Maria, California · Private for-profit career college · Training programs available:
Address: 303 Plaza Drive, Santa Maria, CA 93454 · Phone: (559) 734-9000 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
San Joaquin Valley College-Santa Maria is a private for-profit trade school in Santa Maria, CA offering medical assistant, LPN/LVN, and pharmacy technician programs, accredited by WSCUC.
Per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, this campus has a 63.2% completion rate (near the 64.2% state average), with median graduate debt of $10,674 and median earnings of $38,317 ten years after entry.
Annual cost of attendance at San Joaquin Valley College-Santa Maria is $29,900, federal financial aid can be used here, and 61.9% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical assistants | $39,290 | $49,660 | $61,870 |
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $64,390 | $79,750 | $93,720 |
| Pharmacy technicians | $42,850 | $55,110 | $65,590 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 38 | $21,439 | $21,861 | $9,500 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Associate degree | 19 | $42,396 | $41,441 | $20,000 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 6 | $21,439 | $21,861 | $9,500 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 4 | $24,416 | $23,853 | $18,250 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 2 | $24,416 | $23,853 | $18,250 |
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 Joaquin Valley College-Santa Maria is a private for-profit trade and career school located in Santa Maria, California. It is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission, and students here can use federal financial aid (Title IV). The campus offers 5 program families, with the most-awarded programs being medical assistant programs (42 completers), LPN / LVN programs (19 completers), and pharmacy technician programs (8 completers).
Federal data shows a completion rate of 63.2%, which is near the state average of 64.2%. Graduates carry a median debt of $10,674, and median earnings 10 years after entry are $38,317. Annual cost of attendance is reported at $29,900, and 61.9% of students receive Pell Grants. Enrollment across programs totals 114 undergraduates, with 69 trade completers reported.
This campus may suit students interested in short, career-focused training in healthcare support fields such as medical assisting, practical nursing, or pharmacy technology, though specific program lengths are not detailed in this data. Adults considering a career change should verify program schedules, format, and licensing requirements directly with the school. To confirm accreditation status and review the latest federal outcome data, consult the WSCUC accreditor directly or search this campus on the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
This campus offers 5 program families, with the most-completed being medical assistant programs (42 completers), LPN / LVN programs (19 completers), and pharmacy technician programs (8 completers).
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the school is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission, and its 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 financial aid programs, and 61.9% of enrolled students receive Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 63.2%, which is near the California state average of 64.2%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carry a median debt of $10,674, according to federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $38,317.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
The reported annual cost of attendance is $29,900.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
This is a private for-profit school; for-profit status can affect tuition pricing and institutional funding structure compared to public or non-profit schools, so it's worth reviewing cost and outcomes data carefully.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Specific program lengths are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly to confirm program duration.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can confirm accreditation through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission, and review federal outcomes data at the College Scorecard link: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?495961.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The campus offers healthcare-support programs like medical assisting, LPN/LVN, and pharmacy technology, which are commonly pursued by career changers, though specific scheduling and format details are not reported here; contact the school to confirm fit.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing and certification requirements are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school at (559) 734-9000 or visit https://www.sjvc.edu/ for details.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach San Joaquin Valley College-Santa Maria at (559) 734-9000 or through its website, https://www.sjvc.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data with nearby schools is not reported for this campus in federal data; check the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?495961 to compare similar programs.
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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.