- Rio Hondo College is a collaborative center of lifelong learning which provides innovative, challenging, and quality educational offerings--including programs and courses leading to transfer and vocational degrees and certificates --for its diverse students and community.
School Highlights
Rio Hondo College serves 15,593 students (25% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 25:1 is higher than the state community college average of 20:1.
Minority enrollment is 99% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the state average of 95%.
Quick Stats (2024-25)
- Enrollment: 15,593 students
- In-state tuition: $1,356
- Out-state tuition: $6,760
- Student:teacher ratio: 25:1
- Minority enrollment: 99%
- Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
Top Rankings
Rio Hondo College ranks among the top 20% of public schools in California for:
Category
Attribute
Community Size
School Overview
The teacher population of 634 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Rio Hondo College
(CA) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associates Colleges
Associates--Public Special Use
Institution Level
Four or more years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Public
Public
Total Faculty
634 staff
294 staff
School Calendar
Student Body
The student population of Rio Hondo College has declined by 19% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 25:1 has decreased from 31:1 over five years.
The Rio Hondo College diversity score of 0.33 is less than the state average of 0.71. The school's diversity has declined by 5% over five years.
Total Enrollment
15,593 students
5,744 students
Student : Teacher Ratio
25:1
20:1
# Full-Time Students
3,886 students
813 students
# Part-Time Students
11,707 students
4,931 students
# Enrollment Undergraduate
100 students
302 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
3,886 students
813 students
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
63 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
11,707 students
4,962 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
10 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
140 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
6%
13%
% Asian
2%
6%
% Hispanic
n/a
1%
% Black
81%
46%
% White
1%
5%
% Hawaiian
6%
24%
% Two or more races
4%
4%
% Non Resident races
n/a
n/a
% Unknown races
n/a
1%
Diversity Score
0.33
0.71
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
20%
28%
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
0.2407%
0.4884%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$36,700
$34,700
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
The public in-state tuition of $1,356 is more than the state average of $1,236. The in-state tuition has stayed relatively flat over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $6,760 is more than the state average of $6,547. The out-state tuition has stayed relatively flat over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$1,356
$1,236
Out-State Tuition Fees
$6,760
$6,547
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
82%
85%
Median Debt for Graduates
$8,063
$10,500
Median Debt for Dropouts
$4,750
$6,239
Acceptance Rate
n/a
92%
Source: 2023 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
School Notes
- Rio Hondo College (RHC), located in Southeast Los Angeles County near the intersection of the 60 and 605 freeways, enrolls over 20,000 students each semester. Rio Hondo College is fully accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The college serves students from a variety of educational backgrounds, including recent high school graduates, people seeking new skills or careers, and lifelong learners wanting to add to their knowledge base. Rio Hondo educational programs prepare students for transfer to four-year colleges and universities, grant two-year degrees in a number of specialties, issue certificates in technical or professional fields, provide contract training for employer workforces, and offer community service classes in subjects ranging from computer skills to cultural event fieldtrips. The college graduates close to 600 students every year, awarding two-year, Associate of Arts/Sciences degrees and nearly 500 specialty certificates. The college serves the cities of Whittier, Pico Rivera, Santa Fe Springs, El Monte, and South El Monte, as well as portions of Downey, La Mirada, La Puente, Industry, and some unincorporated portions of Los Angeles County. There are over 318,000 people residing in nearly 107,000 households served by the college. The diverse Rio Hondo College student population averages about 68% Hispanic, 12% Asian, 10% White Non-Hispanic, 2% Black, and 8% other or undeclared ethnicities. The college awards degrees in over 40 disciplines and certificates in close to 30 subjects. The college's Administration of Justice Program is the largest college-based program in the State of California and trains police officers for some 40 jurisdictions. In addition, RHC's Fire Technology, Nursing, Environmental Technology, Emergency Medical Technician, Welding, Drafting, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and Automotive Technology Programs, among other vocational offerings, are top programs in the region. Classes are held in the day, evening and weekend as well as online through Rio Hondo's Virtual College.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Rio Hondo College cost?
Rio Hondo College's tuition is approximately $1,356 for In-State students and $6,760 for Out-State students.
What is Rio Hondo College's ranking?
Rio Hondo College ranks among the top 20% of community college in California for: Average community college minority breakdown and Largest student body.
Recent Articles
The Problem with Community College Placement Tests
This article examines the issues surrounding community college placement tests, highlighting their potential inaccuracy and negative impact on student success. It discusses alternative assessment methods, such as using high school grades, and explores ways to improve the placement process to better support students' academic progress.
7 Problems with Community Colleges And What Can be Done about Them
This article identifies seven key challenges facing community colleges, including low completion rates, underprepared students, and skills gaps. It also proposes solutions to address these issues, such as redefining institutional missions, improving collaboration between schools, and enhancing community support to improve the overall quality of education.
What to Expect Your First Semester of Community College
This article provides valuable insights for new community college students, covering topics such as choosing appropriate classes, academic preparation, balancing work and school commitments, and managing social activities. It offers practical advice to help students navigate their first semester successfully and set the foundation for their academic journey.
