Community Colleges in the San Fernando Valley

With the costs of attending a four university spiraling out of control, many people are opting for the Community College route. The good news is schools in the University of California (csumentor.edu) and California State University www.universityofcalifornia.edu/ systems gives priority admission to California Community College transfer students.

In a large urban area such as Los Angeles, there are plenty of choices. A good start would be to check out the Los Angeles Community College District system.

The LACCD's (laccd.edu) started in 1932 and encompasses 882 square miles in Los Angeles. It is the home of nine diverse community colleges in the Los Angeles area. LACCD serves over three million students from every walk of life. Many under served populations get their educational start at one of these nine institutions. According to the LACCD website (www.laccd.edu), "LACCD educates three times as many Latino students and nearly four times as many African American students as all of the University of California populations."

Life long learning is another goal of the system with more than half of the students over twenty-five years old and more than a quarter over thirty-five. Community College has become for many people a cost effective way to get an education. As the price of four year institutions continues to sky rocket, the tuition at an LACC is downright affordable.

For example, the average full time student tuition for year 2007-2008 school year for two semesters was $600.00. This is based on $20 per unit with a full course load per semester. Compare this to the California State University system at $2520.00 per year and the University of California system at $5406.00 per year. The comparison between a private university such as the University of Southern California or Loyola Marymount University is staggering at over $30,000 per year. Even if the $600.00 a year tuition is out of your reach, all the LACC's encourage students to apply for Student Aid with the the Free Education for Federal Student Aid Program, www.fasfa.gov.

Each Los Angeles Community College has a financial aid department that can walk students through the process of applying for aid and scholarships. Aid is available not only for tuition but for books, supplies and housing.

There are three LACCD colleges in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles. Each catering to their respective communities and able to help educate the vast population of the Valley. The first is Pierce College, located in Woodland Hills. piercecollege.edu.

Founded in 1947 it is in the west valley with easy access from the 101 freeway. The campus is set on beautiful farmland with over two thousand trees, rose bushes, a nature preserve, botanical garden and a forest area boasting giant redwoods. Truly unique is the proximity to a thriving business and urban community of Woodland Hills. Pierce also boasts an Equine College where students can take classes in to learn methods of equine care, handling, and training. Fairly new to the school is a Museum Studies course taught at the Getty Museum. The only Museum Studies class in all of the community college system, this course gives a first hand look at the inner workings of a highly respected museum.

With a variety of classes and a first rate system it's no wonder, according to the web site, "Pierce Honors students have the enviable record of having never been turned down for admission to the University of California, Los Angeles." Further north in the suburb of Sylmar sits Mission College. lamission.edu.

Established in 1979, Mission College serves the communities of Sylmar, Pacoima, Granada Hills and North Hills. Located in the graceful foothills overlooking the San Fernando Valley, Mission College is a relative newcomer to the district. Besides the obvious commitment to educating students, the school has another mission. Providing services and programs that improve the life of its immediate community.

Many of the areas surrounding the school are home to at risk students, so Mission College has started a program called Gear Up. Mission College students work as tutors and mentors at local middle schools. The program has helped tutor more than a thousand students and more importantly sets an example for younger students on the importance of a college education. Many of these tutors go on to universities as education majors at California State University of Northridge. CSUN has one of the top teaching schools in the country.
The students at Mission get their start by helping others in their own community. Their work and dedication help form the teachers of tomorrow.

Los Angeles Valley College www.lavc.edu, is located in Van Nuys and was established in 1949. On opening day there were 439 students. Today that enrollment exceeds 17,000 students. Valley College is also home to the Valley College Historical Museum, which documents San Fernando Valley history. According to the college website, www.lavc.edu, "campus recreational facilities, which are used by the community, include two gymnasiums, tennis courts, a soon-to-be-completed swimming pool area, and a Fitness Center. Valley College is also home to the Monarch Stadium, which has the only 10-lane Mondo Track in California." This is just the begining of the growth and improvement planned at LAVC. Thanks to California voter propositions, money has been approved to update, remodel and rebuild much of the campus, making it it energy efficient and environmentally sound.

These are just three of the nine community colleges in the greater Los Angeles area. For more information and to compare all of the schools log on to www.laccd.edu (Los Angeles Community College District). In this economy, education is still priceless, however it doesn't have to leave you penniless.
For a link to all the Los Angeles Community College District campuses and class offerings log on to
LACCD - New Student