Sierra College

https://www.sierracollege.edu

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2024 Undergraduate Tuition

$1,380

25% growth from 2023

2024 Average Net Price

$10,285

After Financial Aid

2024 Enrolled Students

19,125

34.7% Full-Time

2024 Graduation Rate

42%

612 Graduates

About

Sierra College is a higher education institution located in Placer County, CA. In 2024, the most popular Associates Degree concentrations at Sierra College were General Health Services (549 degrees awarded), General Social Sciences (534 degrees), and Biological & Physical Sciences (456 degrees).

In 2024, 3,845 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Sierra College. 64.5% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 35.5% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (2,191 degrees), 2.67 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (821 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at Sierra College is $1,380, which is $−6,780 less than the national average for Associates Colleges ($8,160).

Associates Colleges: Mixed Transfer/Career & Technical-High Traditional Associates Colleges

Costs

In 2024, the median undergraduate tuition at Sierra College is $1,380, which is $6,780 less than the national average for Associates Colleges ($8,160).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $10,285.

In 2024, 49% of undergraduate students attending Sierra College received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 2% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$1,380

2024 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2024, the cost of tuition at Sierra College was $1,380. The cost of tuition at Sierra College is $−6,780 less than than the overall (public and private) national average for Associates Colleges ($8,160).

This chart compares the tuition costs of Sierra College (in red) with those of other similar universities.

Average Net Price

$10,285

2024 Value

47.6%

1 Year Growth

In 2024 Sierra College had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $10,285. Between 2023 and 2024, the average net price of Sierra College grew by 47.6%.

This chart compares the average net price of Sierra College (in red) with that of other similar universities.

Average net price is calculated from full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded a grant or scholarship from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.

Other Student Expenses

$14,151

Room and Board

$1,792

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at Sierra College was of $14,151 in 2024. The cost of room and board increased by 0.712% between 2023 and 2024.

During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $1,792. The cost of books and supplies did not change during the same period.

This chart compares the average student costs at Sierra College (in red) with that of similar universities.

Financial Aid by Income Level

49%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

49% of undergraduate students at Sierra College received financial aid through grants or loans in 2024. This represents a growth of 0% with respect to 2023, when 49% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

This chart compares the average award discount at Sierra College (in red) with that of other similar universities.

The average award discount is the ratio between the average grant or scholarship value, and the cost, which is the sum of out-of-state tuition, room, board, book, supplies, and other expenses.

Enrollment

Sierra College had a total enrollment of 19,125 students in 2024. The full-time enrollment at Sierra College is 6,631 students and the part-time enrollment is 12,494. This means that 34.7% of students enrolled at Sierra College are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at Sierra College, both undergraduate and graduate, is 54.4% White, 22.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.98% Asian, 7.99% Two or More Races, 3.11% Black or African American, 0.554% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.444% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Students enrolled at Sierra College in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Female (27.9%), followed by White Male (25.2%) and Hispanic or Latino Female (12.6%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

34.7%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Sierra College in 2024, both undergraduate and graduate, is 19,125 students. The full-time enrollment at Sierra College is 6,631 and the part-time enrollment is 12,494. This means that 34.7% of students enrolled at Sierra College are enrolled full-time compared with 31.9% at similar Associates Colleges.

This chart shows the full-time vs part-time enrollment status at Sierra College (in red) compares to similar universities.

Retention Rate over Time

72%

2024 Retention Rate

Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at Sierra College was 72%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Associates Colleges (64%), Sierra College had a retention rate higher than its peers.

This chart shows the retention rate over time at Sierra College (highlighted in red) compares to similar universities.

Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

Most Common Race or Ethnicity (2024)

White
10,404 enrolled students
Hispanic or Latino
4,352 enrolled students
Asian
1,718 enrolled students

The enrolled student population at Sierra College is 54.4% White, 22.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.98% Asian, 7.99% Two or More Races, 3.11% Black or African American, 0.554% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.444% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduates. By comparison, enrollment for all Associates Colleges is 41.3% White, 28.4% Hispanic or Latino, and 13.2% Black or African American.

Any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis is categorized as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the share of those students are shown in the chart below. Additionally, 279 students (1.46%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2024, 1,117 more women than men received degrees from Sierra College. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at Sierra College is white (2,191 degrees awarded). There were 2.67 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (821 degrees).

The most common Associates Degree concentration at Sierra College is General Health Services (549 degrees awarded), followed by General Social Sciences (534 degrees) and Biological & Physical Sciences (456 degrees).

In 2024, the most specialized majors across all degree types at Sierra College, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Social Sciences (733 degrees awarded), Interdisciplinary Studies (456 degrees), and Communication Technologies (39 degrees).

Common Jobs by Major

Lawyers, & judges, magistrates, & other judicial workers

Most Common Job

The most common jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Sierra College are Lawyers, & judges, magistrates, & other judicial workers (359,689 people), Other managers (323,987 people), Elementary & middle school teachers (198,440 people), Police officers (176,402 people), and Chief executives & legislators (134,045 people).

The most specialized majors at Sierra College in 2024 are Social Sciences (733 degrees awarded), Interdisciplinary Studies (456 degrees), Communication Technologies (39 degrees), Human Sciences (98 degrees), and Protective Services (226 degrees) (as of 2024).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Agents & business managers of artists, performers, & athletes

Highest Paying Job

The highest paying jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Sierra College are Agents & business managers of artists, performers, & athletes, Surgeons, Physicians, Securities, commodities, & financial services sales agents, and Magnetic resonance imaging technologists

The most specialized majors at Sierra College are Social Sciences (733 degrees awarded), Interdisciplinary Studies (456 degrees), Communication Technologies (39 degrees), Human Sciences (98 degrees), and Protective Services (226 degrees) (as of 2024).

Common Industries by Major

Elementary & secondary schools

Most Common Industry

The most common industries for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Sierra College are Elementary & secondary schools (498,815 people), Justice, public order, & safety activities (480,557 people), Legal services (304,115 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (302,036 people), and General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (248,802 people).

Majors Awarded

IPEDS uses the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) standard, so the categories may not match the exact concentrations offered by Sierra College.

Most Common (2024)

Fire Prevention & Safety Technology
16 degrees awarded
General Apparel & Textiles
5 degrees awarded
Computer Systems Networking & Telecommunications
5 degrees awarded

In 2024, the most common 1 to 2 year postsecondary certificate concentration at Sierra College was Fire Prevention & Safety Technology with 16 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from 1 to 2 year postsecondary certificate programs at Sierra College according to their major.

Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

1,364

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2024

2,481

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2024

In 2024, 1,364 degrees were awarded to men at Sierra College, which is 0.55 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (2,481).

This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 majors at Sierra College by degrees awarded.

Most Common Male Majors

In 2024, 168 degrees were awarded to men at Sierra College in General Business Administration & Management, which is 1.1 times more than the 153 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2024, 511 degrees were awarded to men at Sierra College in General Health Services, which is 4.87 times more than the 105 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

19%

100% Completion Time

38%

150% Completion Time

In 2024, 19% of students graduating from Sierra College completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 38% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 45% within 200%.

The following chart shows these completion rates over time compared to the average for the Associates Colleges Carnegie Classification group.

Graduation rate is defined as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within a specific percentage of "normal time" to completion for their program.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2024)

White
2,191 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
821 degrees awarded
Asian
375 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at Sierra College is white (2,191 degrees awarded). There were 2.67 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (821 degrees).

1.01% of degree recipients (39 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic (2024)

White Female
2,084 degrees awarded
White Female
2,081 degrees awarded
White Female
1,828 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at Sierra College is white female (2,084 degrees awarded). There were 1 times more white female recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white female (2,081 degrees).

Operations

Sierra College has an endowment valued at nearly $13.4M, as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of 10.4M (77.8%) compared to the 12.8% average return (818k on 6.41M) across all Associates Colleges.

In 2024, Sierra College had a total salary expenditure of 190M. Sierra College employs 245 Instructors. Most academics at Sierra College are Female Instructor (148), and Male Instructor (97).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Sierra College are: Office and Administrative Support, with 174 employees, Management, with 69 employees, and Service with 40 employees.

Endowment

$13.4M

2024 Endowment

24.1%

growth from 2023

Sierra College has an endowment valued at about $13.4M, as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The endowment of Sierra College grew 24.1% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $6.97M higher than than the median endowment of Associates Colleges according to the Carnegie Classification grouping.

This line chart shows how the endowment at Sierra College (in red) compares to that of some similar universities.

The small bar chart below shows the endowment quintiles for all universities in the Associates Colleges: Mixed Transfer/Career & Technical-High Traditional Carnegie Classification grouping.

Government Grants and Contracts

Grants & Contracts

$7.22M - Federal
$62M - State
$2.96M - Local

As of 2024, Sierra College received $7.22M in grants and contracts from the federal government, $62M from state grants and contracts, and $2.96M from local grants and contracts.

Salary Expenditure

$84.8M

2024 Salaries

11.9%

growth from 2023

In 2024, Sierra College paid a median of $84.8M in salaries, which represents 44.7% of their overall expenditure ($190M) and a 11.9% growth from the previous year. This is compared to a 5.29% growth between 2022 and 2023, and a 8.09% growth between 2021 and 2022.

Instructional Salaries

$23.6M

Instructional Salaries

245

Number of Employees

In 2024, Sierra College paid a total of $23.6M to 245 employees working as instructors, which represents 27.8% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $720k (4.04%) for similar Associates Colleges.

Occupations by Share

In 2024, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Sierra College were Office and Administrative Support with 174 employees, Management with 69 employees, and Service with 40 employees.

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