Los Angeles Valley College
Los Angeles Valley College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Los Angeles Valley College at a Glance
Los Angeles Valley College is a public community college in Los Angeles, California, United States. It is part of the Los Angeles Community College District, and serves Valley Glen and its surrounding neighborhoods in the San Fernando Valley.
1949
77 years old
18,308
105 acres
Identity
Is Los Angeles Valley College Worth It?
At a value score of 28/100, Los Angeles Valley College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $42,678 — 21% below average — while paying $12,152/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.1 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 32% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 3 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Los Angeles Valley College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Los Angeles Valley College compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in CA
Ranked #136 of 167 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Modesto Junior College | 100 | $2,818 | $42,368 |
| #2 | Indian River State College | 100 | $3,815 | $38,315 |
| #3 | St Petersburg College | 100 | $1,471 | $42,557 |
| #4 | Henry Ford College | 100 | $660 | $34,795 |
| #5 | Texas A & M International University | 100 | $3,637 | $48,386 |
| #6 | South Texas College | 100 | $1,751 | $36,788 |
| #136 | Los Angeles Valley College | 28 | $12,152 | $42,678 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Los Angeles Valley College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 13 in CA.
Best Programs at Los Angeles Valley College
Program-level earnings data isn't available for Los Angeles Valley College. When evaluating whether to attend, research outcomes for your specific major using the Department of Education's College Scorecard or ask the admissions office for placement rates.
As a general rule: STEM, nursing, accounting, and computer science programs tend to deliver the strongest ROI regardless of institution. Humanities and arts programs can still be worthwhile, but require more intentional career planning to achieve financial payoff.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $12,152/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Similar Colleges in CA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Valley Glen, CA
- Student Body
- 12,601 students
- Graduation Rate
- 32%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $12,152
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $42,678
- Median Student Debt
- $10,500