Colleges in Salinas, California
4 colleges and universities — federal Scorecard data.
There are 4 colleges and universities in Salinas, California (2 Private for-profit, 1 Private nonprofit, 1 Public). The figures below are pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — the same federal dataset colleges are required to report to.
Across all 4 institutions, the median net price after grants and scholarships works out to about $10,023 per year, the median 6-year graduation rate is 67.2%.
The median net price in Salinas runs about $10,689 lower than the California statewide median of $20,711.
Whether you're comparing in-state public tuition, looking for a private nonprofit with strong outcomes, or trying to find the right program in Salinas, the table below lets you sort every institution side-by-side on cost, admissions, graduation rate, and size.
Median net price
$10,023
After aid
Median grad rate
67.2%
6-year
Median admission rate
Not available
Median enrollment
370
Undergrad
All colleges in Salinas
Sorted by enrollment.
| School | State | Type | Net price | Grad rate | Admission | Size | Data | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hartnell College Salinas, CA | CA | Public, 2-year | $2,039 | 40.0% | Not available | 9,453 | Partial | |
| Central Coast College Salinas, CA | CA | Private for-profit, 2-year | $26,667 | 66.8% | Not available | 569 | Partial | |
| CET-Salinas Salinas, CA | CA | Private nonprofit, <2-year | $6,924 | 67.5% | Not available | 171 | Partial | |
| Waynes College of Beauty Salinas, CA | CA | Private for-profit, <2-year | $13,121 | 93.3% | Not available | 46 | Partial |
By institution type
Private for-profit (2)
Private for-profit colleges in Salinas operate as businesses, generally focused on career-oriented and online programs with rolling admissions.
- Central Coast CollegeNet price: $26,667Grad: 66.8%
- Waynes College of BeautyNet price: $13,121Grad: 93.3%
Private nonprofit (1)
Private nonprofit colleges in Salinas are mission-driven institutions — often religiously affiliated or research-focused — that reinvest tuition into academics and aid rather than distributing profit.
- CET-SalinasNet price: $6,924Grad: 67.5%
Public (1)
Public colleges in Salinas are state- or locally-funded institutions that typically offer lower in-state tuition and serve a broad mix of residents and commuters.
- Hartnell CollegeNet price: $2,039Grad: 40.0%
Top programs in Salinas
Most-completed programs across Salinas colleges, weighted by enrollment.
- Liberal arts49.2% of degrees
- Health professions12.9% of degrees
- Business6.3% of degrees
- Psychology4.7% of degrees
- Agriculture3.5% of degrees
- Social sciences3.5% of degrees
- Homeland security & law enforcement2.5% of degrees
- Computer science2.0% of degrees
Frequently asked questions about colleges in Salinas
Q.How many colleges are in Salinas, California?
There are 4 colleges and universities in Salinas, California that report to the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — 2 Private for-profit, 1 Private nonprofit, 1 Public.
Q.What is the largest college in Salinas?
By undergraduate enrollment, Hartnell College is the largest institution in Salinas with roughly 9,453 undergraduates.
Q.What is the cheapest college in Salinas?
Based on average net price after aid, Hartnell College is the most affordable institution in Salinas at $2,039 per year.
Q.Which Salinas college has the highest graduation rate?
Waynes College of Beauty reports the highest 6-year graduation rate among Salinas institutions at 93.3%.
Q.What is the average tuition in Salinas?
The median net price across all 4 colleges in Salinas is $10,023 per year after grants and scholarships.
Q.What are the most popular college majors in Salinas?
Across Salinas colleges, the most-completed programs by share of degrees awarded are Liberal arts, Health professions, Business.
Q.Are there community colleges in Salinas?
Yes — Salinas includes 1 public institutions, many of which offer 2-year associate degrees and transfer pathways to 4-year programs.
Other cities in California
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS. Medians are computed across institutions in Salinas that report each metric. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with each institution.