California Aeronautical University
- Graduation Rate
- 35% D
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $38,361 C-
- Below average for college graduates
- Net Price
- $36,126 F
- 111% more than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 347
Bottom line: A D+ overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 5.5× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $5.5 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $5.5 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $648,296.
What The Data Says
-
A D+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
-
Graduation of 35% — 40% below the national average.
-
Every $1 invested returns $5.5 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
About California Aeronautical University
California Aeronautical University is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private for-profit Special-Focus Institution
- Carnegie Class
- Special Focus
- Enrollment
- 347
- Setting
- Suburban
- Primary Strengths
- Transportation, Mechanic & Repair Tech
Why students choose California Aeronautical University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $36,126 a year after grants and scholarships — 111% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $38,361 ten years after enrolling — 6% below the typical college, against $30,705 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Mobility and social-capital data are limited for this school — see what's reported below.
See mobility →Overview
California Aeronautical University is a good fit for students interested in hands-on careers in transportation and mechanic and repair technology. With around 347 students currently enrolled, this is a place where individuals can get focused training in specialized fields. The small size means you’re likely to get more personalized attention, which can be invaluable when you’re diving into technical subjects.
Looking at life after graduation, graduates earn about $38,361 a year ten years after finishing their program. This figure suggests that while the earnings aren't sky-high, there’s a clear pathway to stable employment in industries that need skilled workers. Affordability is an important aspect here, especially considering that almost half of the students (46%) receive Pell Grants, which can help offset the cost of attendance.
When we break down the financial side, the net price after aid stands at $36,126, with a median debt of $30,705. This means many students are managing a reasonable debt load in relation to their starting salaries. Those who tend to thrive here are likely those who are passionate about their field and willing to commit to the hands-on training that these programs demand. If you’re looking for a practical and focused education in aviation or mechanics, this could be a solid option for you.
Can I Get In?
How selective California Aeronautical University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into California Aeronautical University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Bakersfield, California, California Aeronautical University enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 35%.
- Retention Rate
- 69%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 25%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $6,232
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 7:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.69
- First-Gen Students
- 50%
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend California Aeronautical University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at California Aeronautical University is $37,667, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $36,126. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $35,535 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $30,705 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $37,667
- Out-of-State
- $37,667
- Avg Net Price
- $36,126
- Median Debt
- $30,705
- Pell Grant Rate
- 46%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 61%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $35,535
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $28,863
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $35,669
- Family Income $110K+
- $43,076
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at California Aeronautical University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is California Aeronautical University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of California Aeronautical University report median earnings of $38,361, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $37,182
- 8 Years
- $39,771
- 10 Years
- $38,361
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.8x
- Earning > $25K
- 45%
Earnings Trajectory
How California Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is California Aeronautical University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, California Aeronautical University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $36,126/year ($144,504 total). Graduates earn $38,361 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $792,800 in total earnings — a net gain of $648,296 (5.5× your investment). The median debt is $30,705, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 35% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $144,504
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $792,800
- Net Return
- $648,296
- ROI Multiple
- 5.5×
- Cost Per Year
- $36,126
- Median Debt
- $30,705
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 35%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Top Programs
The fields California Aeronautical University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Transportation 73%
- Mechanic & Repair Tech 27% $46,929 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for California Aeronautical University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CAerospace Engineer$130,720 · 6% growthResilient 72
- C-Nuclear Engineer$124,280 · 1% growthResilient 72
- C-Robotics Engineer$105,000 · 8% growthAdaptable 52
- COperations Manager$103,650 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CBiomedical Engineer$100,730 · 5% growthResilient 72
- CControls Engineer$100,000 · 5% growthResilient 72
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into California Aeronautical University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Bakersfield, California, California Aeronautical University enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 35%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend California Aeronautical University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at California Aeronautical University is $37,667, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $36,126. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $35,535 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $30,705 in federal student loans.
Is California Aeronautical University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of California Aeronautical University report median earnings of $38,361, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
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