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James C. Rives HouseJames C. Rives House · Photo: Floatjon · CC BY-SA 3.0
Colleges in and near Downey

Cerritos College is 4 miles from Downey

No college sits inside Downey’s boundary, but Cerritos College’s campus in Norwalk, with 13,757 students on campus, is 4 miles from the center of town. About 8% of Downey’s residents are enrolled in college, about the same as California (8%).

Cerritos College

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 Downey. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
67
332,949 students on campus
Nearest college
3.5 mi
Healthcare Career College
Residents in college
8%
About the same as CA (8%)
Nearest community college
4 mi
Cerritos College · $1,364 tuition
Nearest public university
7.9 mi
Rio Hondo College · $1,388 in-state
Median household income
$91K
prices below start here

What stands out about college from Downey

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

A community college 4 miles awayCerritos College has 13,757 students on campus in Norwalk, 31% of whom graduate within three years.In-state price at Rio Hondo CollegeLiving in California, Rio Hondo College charges $1,388 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $9,884. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.Students are 8% 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 Downey

49 private colleges within 14.9 miles, four public colleges within 14.6 miles, and 15 community colleges.

5 mi10 mi15 miUniversity of Southern CaliforniaCalifornia State University-FullertonCalifornia State University-Long BeachDowney
University or collegeCommunity college
Healthcare Career CollegeUniversity or college · For-profit · 381 on campus · 3.5 mi · Paramount$14knet price71%graduate$33kearningsCerritos CollegeCommunity college · Public · 13,757 on campus · 4 mi · Norwalk$2knet price31%graduate$41kearningsTuition and fees: $1,364 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.PCI CollegeUniversity or college · For-profit · 163 on campus · 4.7 mi · Cerritos$27knet price68%graduate$36kearningsNational Polytechnic CollegeUniversity or college · For-profit · 299 on campus · 5.4 mi · Lakewood$31knet price47%graduate$31kearningsCompton CollegeCommunity college · Public · 3,330 on campus · 6.1 mi · Compton$13knet price27%graduate$34kearningsTuition and fees: $1,142 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Whittier CollegeUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 859 on campus · 6.3 mi · Whittier81%admitted$26knet price60%graduate$59kearningsCharles R Drew University of Medicine and ScienceUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 763 on campus · 6.5 mi · Los Angeles39%admitted$36knet price30%graduate$83kearningsBiola UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 4,288 on campus · 7 mi · La Mirada74%admitted$31knet price68%graduate$57kearningsEast Los Angeles CollegeCommunity college · Public · 17,853 on campus · 7.1 mi · Monterey Park$11knet price37%graduate$42kearningsTuition and fees: $1,238 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Long Beach City CollegeCommunity college · Public · 17,484 on campus · 7.2 mi · Long Beach$6knet price30%graduate$39kearningsTuition and fees: $1,556 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.ATI College-WhittierUniversity or college · For-profit · 125 on campus · 7.3 mi · Whitter$20knet price72%graduate$39kearningsUniversal Technical Institute-Southern CaliforniaUniversity or college · For-profit · 1,447 on campus · 7.8 mi · Long Beach$28knet price63%graduate$53kearningsEarnings are reported for all 6 campuses that file with it.Rio Hondo CollegeCommunity college · Public · 12,523 on campus · 7.9 mi · Whittier$14knet price25%graduate$45kearningsTuition and fees: $1,388 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.University of the WestUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 145 on campus · 7.9 mi · Rosemead100%admitted$7knet price38%graduateSouthern California University of Health SciencesUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 957 on campus · 8.5 mi · Whittier · mostly online$46knet price50%graduate$71kearnings52% of its students study only online; price, graduation and earnings count them too.California State University-Dominguez HillsUniversity or college · Public · 13,167 on campus · 8.8 mi · Carson93%admitted$9knet price43%graduate$57kearningsCalifornia State University-Los AngelesUniversity or college · Public · 23,850 on campus · 9.2 mi · Los Angeles91%admitted$4knet price53%graduate$59kearningsSouthern California Institute of ArchitectureUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 457 on campus · 9.4 mi · Los Angeles77%admitted$44knet price71%graduate$72kearningsUEI College-GardenaUniversity or college · For-profit · 1,115 on campus · 9.5 mi · Gardena$29knet price60%graduate$31kearningsEarnings are reported for all 5 campuses that file with it.North-West College-Long BeachUniversity or college · For-profit · 576 on campus · 9.5 mi · Long Beach$34knet price58%graduate$40kearningsEarnings are reported for all 4 campuses that file with it.Cypress CollegeCommunity college · Public · 10,494 on campus · 9.7 mi · Cypress$5knet price37%graduate$44kearningsTuition and fees: $1,150 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Los Angeles County College of Nursing and Allied HealthCommunity college · Public · 220 on campus · 9.8 mi · Los Angeles$115kearningsAlhambra Medical UniversityUniversity or college · For-profit · 144 on campus · 9.9 mi · AlhambraLos Angeles Southwest CollegeCommunity college · Public · 1,754 on campus · 10 mi · Los Angeles · mostly online$6knet price34%graduate$32kearnings67% of its students study only online; price, graduation and earnings count them too.Tuition and fees: $1,238 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.American University of Health SciencesUniversity or college · For-profit · 523 on campus · 10 mi · Signal Hill50%admitted50%graduate$94kearningsPlatt College-Los AngelesUniversity or college · For-profit · 405 on campus · 10 mi · Alhambra$28knet price63%graduate$41kearningsEarnings are reported for all 4 campuses that file with it.California Institute of Advanced ManagementUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 163 on campus · 10 mi · AlhambraGraduate students only; the Scorecard reports no undergraduate figures.Los Angeles Trade Technical CollegeCommunity college · Public · 8,945 on campus · 10.2 mi · Los Angeles$12knet price35%graduate$35kearningsTuition and fees: $1,238 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.California College of ASUUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 136 on campus · 10.2 mi · Los AngelesFIDM-Fashion Institute of Design & MerchandisingUniversity or college · For-profit · 1,348 on campus · 10.4 mi · Los AngelesUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 41,282 on campus · 10.5 mi · Los Angeles10%admitted$33knet price92%graduate$92kearningsThe Chicago School at Los AngelesUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 616 on campus · 10.6 mi · Los Angeles · mostly online46%admitted0%graduate$57kearnings82% of its students study only online; price, graduation and earnings count them too.Earnings are reported for all 8 campuses that file with it.California State University-Long BeachUniversity or college · Public · 38,193 on campus · 10.8 mi · Long Beach46%admitted$10knet price69%graduate$64kearningsAmerican Career College-AnaheimUniversity or college · For-profit · 1,643 on campus · 10.8 mi · Anaheim$31knet price70%graduate$38kearningsEarnings are reported for all 2 campuses that file with it.Grace Mission UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 121 on campus · 11 mi · Fullerton100%graduateSouth Baylo UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 234 on campus · 11.7 mi · AnaheimGraduate students only; the Scorecard reports no undergraduate figures.El Camino Community College DistrictCommunity college · Public · 15,562 on campus · 12 mi · Torrance$6knet price42%graduate$42kearningsTuition and fees: $1,144 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.North-West College-AnaheimUniversity or college · For-profit · 455 on campus · 12 mi · Anaheim$29knet price60%graduate$40kearningsEarnings are reported for all 4 campuses that file with it.Southwestern Law SchoolUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 950 on campus · 12.4 mi · Los AngelesGraduate students only; the Scorecard reports no undergraduate figures.Southern California Institute of TechnologyUniversity or college · For-profit · 536 on campus · 12.4 mi · Anaheim74%admitted$33knet price74%graduate$54kearningsPremiere Career CollegeUniversity or college · For-profit · 106 on campus · 12.6 mi · Irwindale$25knet price52%graduate$41kearningsBethesda UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 248 on campus · 12.7 mi · Anaheim$11knet price11%graduateAngeles CollegeUniversity or college · For-profit · 493 on campus · 12.8 mi · Los Angeles$29knet price93%graduate$49kearningsFullerton CollegeCommunity college · Public · 12,859 on campus · 12.9 mi · Fullerton$6knet price34%graduate$43kearningsTuition and fees: $1,150 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Smith Chason CollegeUniversity or college · For-profit · 2,221 on campus · 13 mi · Los Angeles$34knet price72%graduate$58kearningsCBD CollegeCommunity college · Private nonprofit · 824 on campus · 13.2 mi · Los Angeles$23knet price82%graduate$37kearningsAmerican Career College-Los AngelesUniversity or college · For-profit · 2,066 on campus · 13.4 mi · Los Angeles$32knet price75%graduate$38kearningsEarnings are reported for all 2 campuses that file with it.West Coast University-Center for Graduate StudiesUniversity or college · For-profit · 527 on campus · 13.5 mi · Los Angeles$103kearningsEarnings are reported for all 6 campuses that file with it.Graduate students only; the Scorecard reports no undergraduate figures.Los Angeles Harbor CollegeCommunity college · Public · 3,447 on campus · 13.7 mi · Wilmington · mostly online$13knet price36%graduate$41kearnings61% of its students study only online; price, graduation and earnings count them too.Tuition and fees: $1,238 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.University of West Los AngelesUniversity or college · For-profit · 256 on campus · 13.7 mi · InglewoodLos Angeles City CollegeCommunity college · Public · 6,569 on campus · 13.8 mi · Los Angeles · mostly online$10knet price29%graduate$36kearnings53% of its students study only online; price, graduation and earnings count them too.Tuition and fees: $1,238 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.California Institute of TechnologyUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 2,463 on campus · 13.8 mi · Pasadena3%admitted$16knet price94%graduate$129kearningsOccidental CollegeUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 1,854 on campus · 13.8 mi · Los Angeles44%admitted$38knet price81%graduate$76kearningsNorth-West College-West CovinaUniversity or college · For-profit · 635 on campus · 13.9 mi · West Covina$30knet price68%graduate$38kearningsEarnings are reported for all 2 campuses that file with it.Los Angeles College of MusicUniversity or college · For-profit · 279 on campus · 13.9 mi · Pasadena88%admitted$44knet price41%graduate$32kearningsGlendale Career College-North-West College-MFSONUniversity or college · For-profit · 218 on campus · 13.9 mi · West Covina$45knet price$41kearningsEarnings are reported for all 5 campuses that file with it.Spartan College of Aeronautics & TechnologyUniversity or college · For-profit · 319 on campus · 14.2 mi · Inglewood$33knet price64%graduate$62kearningsEarnings are reported for all 2 campuses that file with it.Pasadena City CollegeCommunity college · Public · 17,485 on campus · 14.3 mi · Pasadena$4knet price48%graduate$44kearningsTuition and fees: $1,180 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Institute of Culinary EducationUniversity or college · For-profit · 357 on campus · 14.3 mi · Pasadena77%graduate$48kearningsEarnings are reported for all 2 campuses that file with it.Marshall B Ketchum UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 679 on campus · 14.4 mi · FullertonGraduate students only; the Scorecard reports no undergraduate figures.Fuller Theological SeminaryUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 770 on campus · 14.5 mi · Pasadena · mostly online60% of its students study only online; price, graduation and earnings count them too.Graduate students only; the Scorecard reports no undergraduate figures.California State University-FullertonUniversity or college · Public · 38,210 on campus · 14.6 mi · Fullerton91%admitted$7knet price70%graduate$63kearningsProvidence Christian CollegeUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 147 on campus · 14.6 mi · Pasadena100%admitted$25knet price20%graduate$46kearningsHope International UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 656 on campus · 14.7 mi · Fullerton33%admitted$29knet price49%graduate$50kearningsAntioch University-Los AngelesUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 888 on campus · 14.9 mi · Culver City$52kearningsEarnings are reported for all 5 campuses that file with it.Saybrook UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 705 on campus · 14.9 mi · PasadenaGraduate students only; the Scorecard reports no undergraduate figures.Pacific Oaks CollegeUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 405 on campus · 14.9 mi · Pasadena · mostly online34%admitted$52kearnings61% of its students study only online; price, graduation and earnings count them too.

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. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $75–110k, where Downey’s median household income ($90,699) falls.

Cerritos College4 mi · Norwalk · sticker $10,236 · tuition $1,364$6,599a year
California State University-Los Angeles9.2 mi · Los Angeles · sticker $18,403$7,355a year
Los Angeles Southwest College10 mi · Los Angeles · mostly online · sticker $13,624 · tuition $1,238$7,420a year
California State University-Fullerton14.6 mi · Fullerton · sticker $18,269$8,930a year
Pasadena City College14.3 mi · Pasadena · sticker $13,677 · tuition $1,180$9,136a year
Long Beach City College7.2 mi · Long Beach · sticker $14,503 · tuition $1,556$10,042a year
Cypress College9.7 mi · Cypress · sticker $14,290 · tuition $1,150$10,163a year
Fullerton College12.9 mi · Fullerton · sticker $14,369 · tuition $1,150$10,392a year
El Camino Community College District12 mi · Torrance · sticker $15,246 · tuition $1,144$11,546a year
Bethesda University12.7 mi · Anaheim · sticker $13,575$11,759a year
California State University-Dominguez Hills8.8 mi · Carson · sticker $23,191$12,323a year
California State University-Long Beach10.8 mi · Long Beach · sticker $22,679$12,630a year
Healthcare Career College3.5 mi · Paramount · sticker $18,873$14,135a year
Los Angeles City College13.8 mi · Los Angeles · mostly online · sticker $18,924 · tuition $1,238$14,784a year
East Los Angeles College7.1 mi · Monterey Park · sticker $19,193 · tuition $1,238$15,346a year
Los Angeles Trade Technical College10.2 mi · Los Angeles · sticker $20,457 · tuition $1,238$16,399a year
Compton College6.1 mi · Compton · sticker $20,447 · tuition $1,142$16,689a year
Rio Hondo College7.9 mi · Whittier · sticker $21,391 · tuition $1,388$17,305a year
Los Angeles Harbor College13.7 mi · Wilmington · mostly online · sticker $21,772 · tuition $1,238$17,831a year
California Institute of Technology13.8 mi · Pasadena · sticker $86,886$18,753a year
University of Southern California10.5 mi · Los Angeles · sticker $90,300$24,976a year
Premiere Career College12.6 mi · Irwindale · sticker $32,314$25,469a year
Whittier College6.3 mi · Whittier · sticker $63,664$26,718a year
Occidental College13.8 mi · Los Angeles · sticker $84,800$28,033a year
Biola University7 mi · La Mirada · sticker $62,757$29,846a year
Platt College-Los Angeles10 mi · Alhambra · sticker $32,164$31,116a year
North-West College-Anaheim12 mi · Anaheim · sticker $31,922$31,247a year
Angeles College12.8 mi · Los Angeles · sticker $33,854$31,390a year
North-West College-West Covina13.9 mi · West Covina · sticker $34,193$32,242a year
Universal Technical Institute-Southern California7.8 mi · Long Beach · sticker $33,041$32,469a year
American Career College-Anaheim10.8 mi · Anaheim · sticker $35,751$32,492a year
Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science6.5 mi · Los Angeles · sticker $39,834$33,075a year
Hope International University14.7 mi · Fullerton · sticker $51,784$33,634a year
American Career College-Los Angeles13.4 mi · Los Angeles · sticker $37,270$34,343a year
National Polytechnic College5.4 mi · Lakewood · sticker $34,762$34,762a year
North-West College-Long Beach9.5 mi · Long Beach · sticker $36,942$35,381a year
Southern California Institute of Technology12.4 mi · Anaheim · sticker $37,992$35,453a year
Smith Chason College13 mi · Los Angeles · sticker $39,461$36,953a year
Spartan College of Aeronautics & Technology14.2 mi · Inglewood · sticker $39,104$39,104a year
Glendale Career College-North-West College-MFSON13.9 mi · West Covina · sticker $49,247$48,232a year
Los Angeles College of Music13.9 mi · Pasadena · sticker $49,705$49,455a year
PCI College4.7 mi · Cerritos · sticker $33,852—a year
ATI College-Whittier7.3 mi · Whitter · sticker $29,726—a year
University of the West7.9 mi · Rosemead · sticker $21,278—a year
Southern California University of Health Sciences8.5 mi · Whittier · mostly online · sticker $57,740—a year
Southern California Institute of Architecture9.4 mi · Los Angeles · sticker $71,612—a year
UEI College-Gardena9.5 mi · Gardena · sticker $34,105—a year
CBD College13.2 mi · Los Angeles · sticker $28,569—a year
Providence Christian College14.6 mi · Pasadena · sticker $53,447—a 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 within 15 miles of Downey: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k$100k$120k$140k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →East Los Angeles CollegeCalifornia State University-Los AngelesUniversity of Southern CaliforniaCalifornia State University-Long BeachCalifornia State University-Fullerton
University of Southern California92% graduate$92k earnings$18k typical debt
California State University-Fullerton70% graduate$63k earnings$14k typical debt
California State University-Long Beach69% graduate$64k earnings$14k typical debt
California State University-Los Angeles53% graduate$59k earnings$13k typical debt
East Los Angeles College37% graduate$42k earnings$10k typical debt
Pasadena City College48% graduate$44k earnings$7k typical debt
Long Beach City College30% graduate$39k earnings$10k typical debt
El Camino Community College District42% graduate$42k earnings
Cerritos College31% graduate$41k earnings$8k typical debt
California State University-Dominguez Hills43% graduate$57k earnings$14k typical debt
Fullerton College34% graduate$43k earnings$4k typical debt
Rio Hondo College25% graduate$45k earnings$6k typical debt

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. *Reported for all the campuses that file together: Universal Technical Institute-Southern California (6); UEI College-Gardena (5); North-West College-Long Beach (4); Platt College-Los Angeles (4); The Chicago School at Los Angeles (8); American Career College-Anaheim (2); North-West College-Anaheim (4); American Career College-Los Angeles (2); North-West College-West Covina (2); Spartan College of Aeronautics & Technology (2); Institute of Culinary Education (2).

Questions about college near Downey

Is Downey a college town?

No. About 8 of every 100 Downey residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), about the same as California (8). The nearest campus, Healthcare Career College, is 3.5 miles away in Paramount.

What colleges are near Downey?

67 colleges are within 15 miles. The largest: the University of Southern California (10.5 miles, 41,282 students on campus), California State University-Fullerton (14.6 miles, 38,210) and California State University-Long Beach (10.8 miles, 38,193).

What is the closest community college to Downey, and what does it cost?

Cerritos College in Norwalk, 4 miles away. Tuition and fees are $1,364 a year for California residents; the federal net price, $2,424, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does Rio Hondo College cost if we live in California?

Tuition and fees are $1,388 a year in-state and $9,884 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $14,549 (under $30,000 income) to $17,355 (over $110,000), housing and food included.

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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 Downey. 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 →