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Colleges in and near China Lake Acres

Cerro Coso Community College is 7.5 miles from China Lake Acres

No college sits inside China Lake Acres’ boundary, but Cerro Coso Community College’s campus in Ridgecrest, with 3,023 students on campus, is 7.5 miles from the center of town. About 5% of China Lake Acres’ residents are enrolled in college, about the same as California (8%).

From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of China Lake Acres. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
1
3,023 students on campus
Nearest college
7.5 mi
Cerro Coso
Residents in college
5%
About the same as CA (8%)
Nearest community college
7.5 mi
Cerro Coso · $1,384 tuition
Nearest public university
69.7 mi
Bakersfield College · $1,430 in-state
Median household income
$69K
prices below start here

What stands out about college from China Lake Acres

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

A community college 7.5 miles awayCerro Coso Community College has 3,023 students on campus in Ridgecrest, 25% of whom graduate within three years.In-state price at Bakersfield CollegeLiving in California, Bakersfield College charges $1,430 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $11,300. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.Students are 5% of residentsAbout the same as California (8%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of China Lake Acres

It is public. Every other college is more than 15 miles from China Lake Acres.

5 mi10 mi15 miCerro CosoChina Lake Acres
University or collegeCommunity college
Cerro Coso Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · 3,023 on campus · 7.5 mi · Ridgecrest$18knet price25%graduate$35kearningsTuition and fees: $1,384 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.

Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.

What it costs

What would your family pay?

The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles and the nearest public four-year college. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $48–75k, where China Lake Acres’ median household income ($68,594) falls.

Bakersfield College69.7 mi · Bakersfield · sticker $22,018 · tuition $1,430$15,011a year
Cerro Coso Community College7.5 mi · Ridgecrest · sticker $25,300 · tuition $1,384$17,054a year

The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →Cerro CosoBakersfield College
Bakersfield College21% graduate$37k earnings$8k typical debt
Cerro Coso Community College25% graduate$35k earnings

Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid.

Questions about college near China Lake Acres

Is China Lake Acres a college town?

No. About 5 of every 100 China Lake Acres residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), about the same as California (8). The nearest campus, Cerro Coso Community College, is 7.5 miles away in Ridgecrest.

What colleges are near China Lake Acres?

Within 15 miles: Cerro Coso Community College (7.5 miles, 3,023 students on campus).

What is the closest community college to China Lake Acres, and what does it cost?

Cerro Coso Community College in Ridgecrest, 7.5 miles away. Tuition and fees are $1,384 a year for California residents; the federal net price, $18,306, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does Bakersfield College cost if we live in California?

Tuition and fees are $1,430 a year in-state and $11,300 from out of state.

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Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of China Lake Acres. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →