Skip to content
CollegeRanker
Foothill College logo

Foothill College

Public Los Altos Hills, CA · Suburban · Far West · 80% data
A Value A- Diversity A- Affordability
Graduation Rate
58% C
About half of students who start complete their degree
Earnings (10yr)
$57,072 B+
Well above the typical college graduate
Net Price
$7,653 A-
55% less than the typical college
Enrollment
11,137
Earnings +40% vs avg
Graduation +2% vs avg
Net Price +-55% vs avg

Bottom line: A B+ overall grade — strong outcomes across the board. 44.9× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $44.9 over 20 years.

44.9× return on investment

Every $1 spent returns $44.9 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,342,560.

What The Data Says

  1. A B+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.

  2. Earnings 40% above the national college median.

  3. Every $1 invested returns $44.9 over 20 years — an exceptional return.

About Foothill College

Foothill College 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
Public College
Carnegie Class
Associate's College
Enrollment
11,137
Setting
Suburban
Designations
HSI
Primary Strengths
Construction Trades, Humanities, Health Professions, Business & Marketing

Why students choose Foothill College

Outstanding value
Low net price against strong graduate earnings
Strength in Construction Trades
Its most-awarded field of study

CollegeRanker Report Card

Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.

B+
Top 20% overall
B+
Earnings
$57,072 median
A
Value
7.5× net price
A-
Affordability
$7,653/yr net
C
Graduation
58% graduate
A-
Diversity
0.75 index

Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.

How we grade →
1
Can I Get In?

Admissions

Open / non-selective

This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.

Check your odds →
2
Can I Afford It?

Net price + aid

A-
$7,653/yr net

Students pay about $7,653 a year after grants and scholarships — 55% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.

See cost & aid →
3
What Happens After?

Earnings + debt

B+
$57,072 median

Graduates earn a median of $57,072 ten years after enrolling — 40% above the typical college, against $10,500 in median debt.

See outcomes →
4
Does It Change Lives?

Mobility + social capital

Limited data

Mobility and social-capital data are limited for this school — see what's reported below.

See mobility →

Overview

Over 11,000 students enroll at Foothill College each year, making it a vibrant hub for academic and personal growth. The college focuses on practical skills and career readiness, which resonates with students looking for a clear path to employment.

According to Opportunity Insights, graduates from Foothill College earn a median salary of $57,072 ten years after enrollment. This figure suggests that many students can improve their economic standing through their education here. However, the college's graduation rate stands at 58%, indicating that while many do find success, a significant portion may not complete their programs.

Attending Foothill College comes at a net price of $7,653, with a median debt of $10,500, making it a financially accessible option for many. Students in programs like Education, Health Professions, and Construction Trades tend to thrive, as these fields align well with local job markets. A diverse student body benefits from tailored support services designed to help them succeed academically and professionally.

Rankings

Can I Get In?

How selective Foothill College is — and how your numbers stack up.

Tool

Will I Be Accepted?

Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.

3.0
Test Score
1050
21

Academics & Admissions

Is It Hard to Get Into Foothill College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

As a public institution in Los Altos Hills, California, Foothill College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 58%.

Full-Time Faculty
34%
Faculty Salary (mo)
$11,815
Student–Faculty Ratio
25:1
Diversity Index
0.75
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 Foothill College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

Published tuition at Foothill College is $12,590, 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 $7,653. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $6,571 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $10,500 in federal student loans.

In-State Tuition
$1,565
Out-of-State
$12,590
Avg Net Price
$7,653
Median Debt
$10,500
Pell Grant Rate
9%
Federal Loan Rate
2%

What Families Actually Pay

Family Income $0–$30K
$6,571
Family Income $30K–$48K
$6,390
Family Income $48K–$75K
$9,389
Family Income $110K+
$14,237

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 Foothill College — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.

Compare schools in the full simulator →Sources: College Scorecard, Common Data Set, Opportunity Insights · today's dollars (CPI-adjusted) · descriptive, not predictive

Graduate Outcomes

Is Foothill College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of Foothill College earn a median of $57,072, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.

6 Years After Entry
$48,920
8 Years
$55,055
10 Years
$57,072
Debt-to-Earnings
0.18x
Earning > $25K
66%

Earnings Trajectory

$48,920 6yr $55,055 8yr $57,072 10yr

How Foothill Compares

Dot right of center = above national average.

NATIONAL AVGGraduation58%Earnings 10yr$57KNet Price$8KMedian Debt$11KPell Grant Rate9%

Net Price by Family Income

What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.

$7K$0-30K$6K$30-48K$9K$48-75K$14K$110K+

College ROI Calculator

Is Foothill College Worth It?

A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.

Yes — for most students, Foothill College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $7,653/year ($30,612 total). Graduates earn $57,072 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,373,172 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,342,560 (44.9× your investment). The median debt is $10,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 58% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.

Total Cost (4yr)
$30,612
Projected 20yr Earnings
$1,373,172
Net Return
$1,342,560
ROI Multiple
44.9×
Cost Per Year
$7,653
Median Debt
$10,500
Debt Payback
Less than 1 yr
Graduation Rate
58%
Explore all Foothill College ROI scenarios

Does It Change Lives?

Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?

Institutional Finances

Data: NCES IPEDS

Investment Income
$398,665

Top Programs

The fields Foothill College 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.

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 Foothill College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Hard to Get Into Foothill College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

As a public institution in Los Altos Hills, California, Foothill College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 58%.

How Much Does It Cost to Attend Foothill College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

Published tuition at Foothill College is $12,590, 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 $7,653. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $6,571 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $10,500 in federal student loans.

Is Foothill College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of Foothill College earn a median of $57,072, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.

Similar Schools

Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Foothill College.

The State of American Higher Education Outcomes for 2026 — report cover Download PDF

The 2026 Annual Report

The State of American Higher Education Outcomes

Every state graded on what graduates earn, how far they climb, and what college really costs — the hidden geography of economic mobility, in one report.

Download the report Explore the live data →

Free · 21 pages · 5,745 institutions · 100% federal data, no surveys