What is San Joaquin Valley College Known For?
San Joaquin Valley College is a private college founded in 1977 by Shirley Perry, a former nurse, to facilitate others to the same success and independence she achieved after independent education. The institution has 17 locations in California, as well as an online division.
San Joaquin Valley College offers certificates, Associate of Science degrees, and continuing education opportunities in the medical, dental, veterinary, criminal justice, and industrial trade. They pride themselves on diversity, equity, and inclusion through their DEI Advisory Committee, which strives to give all students a voice, making students’ educational experiences their priority.
Is it Legit?
San Joaquin Valley College is institutionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). It is additionally approved to operate as an accredited institution by the California Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) and registered with the Iowa College Student Aid Commission.
San Joaquin Valley College boats programmatic accreditation as well. The Federal Aviation Administration of the US Department of Transportation approves the school’s aviation maintenance technology program. Furthermore, the Dental Assisting program is supported by the Department of Consumer Affairs of the Dental Board of California, and the Dental Hygiene program is accredited by the American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), to name a few.
Is San Joaquin Valley College Worth It?
San Joaquin Valley College has awarded over 72,000 certificates and degrees, providing thousands of qualified job candidates to local employers and creating nearly 1,000 jobs throughout 17 California communities. The school impacts its community; for example, San Joaquin Valley College was California’s most prominent educator of licensed respiratory therapists in 2019.
San Joaquin Valley College students say the institution works with their schedules, and staff and faculty across all facilities go out of their way to provide academic or professional assistance. The school lives up to its core values of integrity, family, professionalism, communication, diversity, and success, equipping students with the technical skills they need to excel in their careers and the interpersonal skills required to lead.
San Joaquin Valley College vs. Community College
San Joaquin Valley College offers its students a competitive advantage compared to a traditional educational pathway. Their programs and courses prepare students, equipping them with in-demand, real-world skills fostered through hands-on classes taught by qualified, experienced instructors.
San Joaquin Valley College offers students a remarkably flexible learning experience, allowing students the freedom to study where they want, when they want, with convenient campus locations across California and online course offerings to boot.
The institution also features fast-tracked learning pathways, enabling students to earn certificates of completion in as little as 7 to 15 months–a considerably shorter endeavor than completing a degree at a community college, which offers little flexibility with graduation time.
San Joaquin Valley College also boasts career services facilities that help students find and acquire jobs in their desired career field, assisting students every step of the way.
Acceptance Rate
San Joaquin Valley College’s acceptance rate is 100%.
Cost Per Year
Annual tuition at San Joaquin Valley College ranges between $17,000 and $20,000 per year, with costs varying program by program. The institution offers tuition payment plans in addition to generous financial aid; over 90% of San Joaquin Valley College’s students receive some form of financial assistance, including federal grants and loans, external grants and scholarships, and student loans.
School Catalog
A copy of the course catalog can be found here.
School Hours
Online course content and resources at San Joaquin Valley College are available to students 24/7.
Though campus hours may vary depending on the location, the school’s campuses are typically open 8 AM to 7 PM, Monday through Thursday, and 8 AM to 2:30 PM on Friday.
Programs & Courses
Business
- Business Administration
- Marketing
- Human Resource Management
- Accounting
Criminal Justice & Law
- Criminal Justice
Computers & Information Technology
- Computer Systems Technician
- Computer Programming
Healthcare
- Healthcare Management
- Surgical Technology
Communications & Media
- Communications
Graphics, Design, and Arts
- Music
Campus Locations
Bakersfield 201 New Stine Rd., Bakersfield, CA 93309
Delano 1920 Cecil Ave., Delano, CA 93215
Fresno 295 E Sierra Ave., Fresno, CA 93710
Fresno 4985 E Andersen Ave., Fresno, CA 93727
Hesperia 9331 Mariposa Rd., Hesperia, CA 92344
Lancaster 42135 10th St. W Ste 147, Lancaster, CA 93534
Salida 5380 Pirrone Rd., Salida, CA 95368
Ontario 4580 Ontario Mills Pkwy., Ontario, CA 91764
Porterville 314 N Main St., Porterville, CA 93257
Rancho Cordova 11000 Olson Dr., Ste 100, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
Temecula 27270 Madison Ave., Ste 103, Temecula, CA 92590
Visalia 8344 W Mineral King Ave., Visalia, CA 93291
Sacramento 8909 Folsom Blvd. Sacramento, CA 95826
San Leandro 15555 E 14th St #500 San Leandro, CA 94577
Santa Maria 303 Plaza Drive Santa Maria, CA 93454
Rancho Mirage 34275 Monterey Avenue Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
Phoenix 8836 N. 23rd Ave., Bldg. B Phoenix, AZ 85021
Financial Aid Services
Financial aid consultations are part of the admissions process for each student. Staff members help student understand their options such as grants, federal and private loans etc.
Career Services
At SJVC, the Career Services team on each campus collaborates with every student to provide job-search strategies, job-market orientation, resume writing, and interviewing techniques. These services are accessible to all active students and graduates. The institution is devoted to supporting individuals in reaching their career aspirations from the first day of class. To this end, SJVC forms partnerships with local employers to facilitate the placement of graduates in entry-level positions.
Whether individuals are fresh high school graduates or are undergoing a mid-career transition, SJVC is equipped to assist them. Regardless of the field of interest, once the necessary skills have been acquired, the Career Services team may be able to facilitate an interview with a local employer.
Veteran and Military Services
VA Benefits are applicable for qualifying veterans.
Alumni Services
An active alumni organization sustains and strengthens the network of Saint Leo University graduates. The group works to promote good relations between the school and former students. Opportunities for professional growth and social events are ways for alumni to connect.
Reviews
Based on Google reviews, SJVC has a strong reputation for the quality of its teaching and hands-on programs, but its overall score is dragged down by persistent and significant criticisms regarding high cost, poor administrative communication, and organizational instability during externships.
Overall Score: 3.9/5 Stars
Common Praises
- Passionate and Dedicated Instructors: The faculty is consistently described as “amazing,” “very passionate about what they do,” and highly professional. Instructors, particularly in programs like Dental Assistant (DA) and Respiratory Therapist (RT), are praised for truly caring about students and having “high expectations” appropriate for their careers.
- Effective Hands-On Education: The learning environment is highly valued for being hands-on. Students report they “learned a lot from their program” and are happy they chose the school for their technical education.
- Life-Changing Opportunity: For many students, the program offers a successful path to a new career, providing a “transformation” out of “dead end jobs” and into certified technical roles.
- Professional and Supportive Staff (In-Program): Many reviewers note that the staff and professors are “utmost professional” and dedicated to helping students “succeed, wherever you are at in your journey.”
Common Criticisms
- Unaffordable Cost/Poor Value Proposition: A major and recurring criticism is that the school is “highly unaffordable” for the value it provides, especially when compared to local community colleges that offer similar programs. Reviewers argue the small class sizes do not justify the high tuition.
- Poor Management and Communication: Multiple students have called the management and staff “horrible and unprofessional,” citing “no communication between staff and students.” Recent issues include reports of general administrative rudeness at the front desk and complaints about aggressive “sales reps disguised as recruiters.”
- Instability and Lack of Support in Clinical/Externship: Students report feeling unprotected or vulnerable during their clinical externships, stating that they can “get kicked out if a trainer at the Hospital doesn’t like you.” They feel the school does not adequately support them in these situations, leading to career setbacks.
- Unfulfilled Job Placement Promises: Graduates feel let down by the school’s career services, noting that the promoted promise to “help you find a job” often goes unfulfilled for weeks or months after graduation.
- Merger-Related Administrative Delays: Recent reviews cited significant frustration and delays in taking required licensing exams (like the RDA exam) due to the merger with another college, causing immediate career progression issues for graduates.
- Misleading Enrollment Practices: One former student reported an issue with “sales” representatives who were aggressive and “kept interrupting me and not letting me speak,” leading to a negative enrollment experience.
Momentum
The momentum is mixed. While the academic success stories and praise for high-quality instructors continue to appear in recent reviews, the administrative and logistical problems, particularly issues with front-desk attitudes and the confusion stemming from the merger, have also surfaced very recently. The school owner is extremely proactive, responding to almost every review—both positive and negative—to apologize, offer dedicated assistance via email, and assure the student that their feedback has been forwarded to campus management. This high level of engagement is a significant positive factor in the overall service rating and suggests a strong institutional commitment to addressing issues.