Colleges Near Ridgecrest, California
Looking for information about the best colleges and universities serving Ridgecrest? Here's your guide to the top schools offering degrees to students in the area, including institutions located within 80 miles of Ridgecrest, California.
There are at least 11 colleges serving the area, including 2 private colleges and universities, 0 public colleges and universities, and 4 community colleges offering 2-year degrees.
The Best Adult Colleges & Careers Guide provides a breakdown of the colleges serving Ridgecrest, with details about cost, enrollment, student type and degree offerings. Click here to learn more about the guide.
Ridgecrest, California Colleges by the Numbers
Associate, bachelor's, masters, and doctoral degree completions at institutions near Ridgecrest, California have been growing over the past 5 years. In 2023, students completed 7,862 doctorates at colleges and universities near Ridgecrest. That was an increase of 18% from completions reported in 2019.
Schools with Degree Completions
Est. Total Completions in 2023
Est. Completions (Last 5 Years)
Sponsored
Top School For Adults & Online Students
Franklin University is a top choice for transfer students, online learners and adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
5,117
Completions By Degree
2,171
Est. Online Degree Offerings
100%
Private Colleges & Universities Offering Degrees Near Ridgecrest, California
There are at least 2 schools offering degrees near Ridgecrest, California, and 2 are four-year private colleges or universities where about 5,447 undergraduate students were enrolled. In 2023, a total of 2,212 degrees were completed at private colleges and universities, including 2,178 that were offered online.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Franklin offers more than 50 online bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctoral programs in the Ridgecrest, California area. Franklin University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are adults and all programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Franklin University. In 2023, 1,429 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 88 associate degrees, 616 master's degrees, and 38 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
5,117
Completions By Degree
2,171
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
California Aeronautical University is an institutionally accredited for profit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and minimal programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at California Aeronautical University. In 2023, 36 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 3 associate degrees, 2 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
330
Completions By Degree
41
Est. Online Degree Availability
17%
Completions by Program Area
Community Colleges Near Ridgecrest, California
There are 4 community colleges near Ridgecrest, California where students can earn 2-year associate degrees. In 2023, about 34,224 students were enrolled in undergraduate courses at community colleges near Ridgecrest, and about 7,594 associate degrees were completed.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Bakersfield College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and no programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
18,098
Completions By Degree
4,478
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Barstow Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and some programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
2,496
Completions By Degree
460
Est. Online Degree Availability
63%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Antelope Valley Community College District is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and no programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
10,191
Completions By Degree
1,904
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Cerro Coso Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and most programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
3,439
Completions By Degree
752
Est. Online Degree Availability
84%
Completions by Program Area
2-Year Private For-Profit Schools Near Ridgecrest, California
There are at least 5 two-year private for-profit schools offering associate degrees near Ridgecrest, California. According to 2023 data from Lightcast™, in 2023, a total of 227 associate degrees were completed at those institutions. Tuition shown reflects in-state rates.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
San Joaquin Valley College-Lancaster is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and no programs completed were offered online. Associate degrees are the most popular at San Joaquin Valley College-Lancaster. In 2023, 19 associate degrees were completed. In addition, 0 bachelor's degrees, 0 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
248
Completions By Degree
19
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
University of Antelope Valley is a non-accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and all programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at University of Antelope Valley. In 2023, 54 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 5 associate degrees, 8 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
487
Completions By Degree
67
Est. Online Degree Availability
96%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
High Desert Medical College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and no programs completed were offered online. Associate degrees are the most popular at High Desert Medical College. In 2023, 109 associate degrees were completed. In addition, 0 bachelor's degrees, 0 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,600
Completions By Degree
109
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Career Care Institute is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and no programs completed were offered online. Associate degrees are the most popular at Career Care Institute. In 2023, 30 associate degrees were completed. In addition, 0 bachelor's degrees, 0 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
579
Completions By Degree
30
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Glendale Career College-North-West College-Bakersfield is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are adults and no programs completed were offered online. Associate degrees are the most popular at Glendale Career College-North-West College-Bakersfield. In 2023, 2 associate degrees were completed. In addition, 0 bachelor's degrees, 0 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
96
Completions By Degree
2
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Completions by Program Area
Affordable Colleges Near Ridgecrest, California
Wondering what you can expect to pay for a degree near Ridgecrest, California? According to undergraduate tuition data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, the average tuition at Ridgecrest-area's 4-year nonprofit schools is $9,577. The average tuition at similar 4-year for-profit schools near Ridgecrest is $35,465, while tuition at 2-year online colleges and universities is N/A.
4-Year Nonprofit
4-Year For-Profit
2-Year
Accredited Colleges Serving Ridgecrest, California
Earning a college degree is an investment — and earning a degree from an institutionally accredited university is one of the best ways to ensure your education is of high quality. Institutionally accredited universities are held to rigorous standards by state and regional bodies and undergo regular reviews to verify that their processes and academic programs meet the proper standards.
Wondering if a certain college or university offering degree programs in Ridgecrest, California is institutionally accredited? View a list of institutionally accredited colleges and universities serving Ridgecrest, California here. We've made it easy to find your school by breaking down the list by school type.
- Franklin University
- Bakersfield College
- Barstow Community College
- Antelope Valley Community College District
- Cerro Coso Community College
- California Aeronautical University
Ridgecrest, California Job Market & Opportunities
What happens after you earn your college degree in Ridgecrest? What's the Ridgecrest, California job market outlook? Get a snapshot of jobs and careers, including annual job openings, median earnings and more.
In 2024, there were about 8,504,468 jobs in the Ridgecrest, California area. From 2023-2024, job growth in Ridgecrest was below the national average, at 1.3%. There were 1,077,523 job openings in the area. In terms of earnings, workers in Ridgecrest do better than the national average, with an average hourly pay of $22.63.