2024 Top Colleges for Trades and Personal Services in the San Diego Area

• Santee, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.58 out of 5  301 reviews

Sophomore: This is my second year at San Diego Christian College's undergraduate, online program. The fact that they've had an online program for over 10 years amazes me! Being that online studies are pretty new to many universities due to the pandemic, San Diego Christian has been on top of their game in this field! I really enjoy the fact that my studies are very independent and that each and every course is Bible-based! So far, a very pleasant experience at this school!... Read 301 reviews

• grade C

• Acceptance rate 53%

• Net price $34,564

• SAT range 900-1120

• San Diego, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.9 out of 5  565 reviews

Sophomore: Throughout my many years of experience as a student at San Diego Miramar College, I have nothing terrible to say. I've had the best community college experience at this campus, as well as Miramar's sister campuses in San Diego. When I was a high school graduate, it was an easy transition into college life at this school. The professors and students are extremely helpful and encouraging! I will forever miss the professors at this college. The professors always have their students' best interest and do their best to be their for their students because they find fulfillment helping their students to succeed! The campus is well organized, very easy to navigate and find the correct building and class. The campus is great for older students and first time college students. I say this because it's easy to navigate your way as a student, not over whelming with many students and or events, and this campus has many resources to help you and your education.... Read 565 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $7,880

• SAT range —

• Chula Vista, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  1,256 reviews

Sophomore: The faculty is professional and understanding. Most professors will offer alternatives to cheaper or will provide free texts for the course. Coursework is quite easy to understand and resources for tutoring and learning are advertised well around campus. Campus resources are easy to find. Classes are cheap compared to other local campuses in San Diego County. FAFSA will provide more aid when attending this school in comparison to City College. Really chill student life- laid-back people. Housing and transportation are necessary to thrive in this environment! Healthy food options are limited, I recommend eating at home. Snacks are everywhere for convenience on and around campus. Safe area, in the third safest city in California.... Read 1,256 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $6,789

• SAT range —

• San Marcos, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.79 out of 5  1,252 reviews

Alum: Not exactly the ideal "college experience" for incoming college freshman/sophomores, but still a great community college experience! I am really glad I spent my first two years of college at Palomar Community College instead of going straight to a university. I had a great community college experience at Palomar. Lots of good, well-funded programs, mostly pretty good professors, the campus is recently rebuilt, the price to attend is very affordable, theres a decent amount of affordable parking, pretty diverse student body, and overall has a quality comparable to a university in terms of academics. Because it's a commuter community college, the social life is obviously lacking, but that is to be expected. I really liked Palomar and more people should attend community college especially at Palomar.... Read 1,252 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $6,659

• SAT range —

• Oceanside, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 4.04 out of 5  938 reviews

Sophomore: I loved the stem tutoring center and the free snacks available in the cafeteria. Staff including library and especially professors are very helpful and kind. You definitely have to advocate for yourself but I’m sure you do at other community colleges and universities. There aren’t many sports but there’s a ton of clubs to choose from. There are many other programs at miracosta such as accommodations for student learning, an honors society, transfer center and more. The counselors are great and are really helpful with financial aid, picking classes, and scholarships. I have definitely learned a lot and am excited to learn more going into my second year. Highly recommend!... Read 938 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $6,946

• SAT range —

• El Cajon, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  1,282 reviews

Freshman: I love Grossmont College because of it's welcoming environment and eagerness to work with students. The school is very supportive of students like me seeking to transfer to a four year institution. Counselors go above and beyond into offering guidance and opportunities to anyone interested. Both staff and professors understand their student's backgrounds, develop in depth, comprehensible lectures, and offer support to their students. I feel like the staff values my presence there. I also like how I can still get the college feel with Grossmont's small campus size and tranquil environment. It allows me to get the student experience and adapt to the college life as a freshman without the overwhelming atmosphere of a larger university. Overall, I would highly recommend Grossmont College to anyone in San Diego pursuing higher education. It's a great place to continue your educational journey and explore your potential!... Read 1,282 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $5,999

• SAT range —

• San Diego, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.89 out of 5  964 reviews

Sophomore: Overall, San Diego Mesa college is a perfectly fine school and honestly, probably your best choice in terms of community colleges in San Diego. They have a lot of opportunities and various resources to help disadvantaged students acclimate properly into the school. More often then not, the professors at Mesa are really passionate and inspiring within their classes - just be sure to always check ratemyprofessor first!... Read 964 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $7,663

• SAT range —

• San Diego, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.75 out of 5  916 reviews

Sophomore: Transitioning from a 4-year institution to City Community College, I've found remarkable support from professors, exceeding my expectations. The personalized attention surpasses my prior university experience. City College not only offers academic benefits but also substantial financial savings, cutting tuition and fees by 10-15k. The BOG waiver, available to California residents, further enhances its cost-effectiveness making getting an associates degree completely free of tuition. Dedicated counselors for renowned institutions amplify the appeal, providing accessible and personalized assistance. This individualized approach contrasts with larger universities' stretched-thin counseling resources. Overall, City Community College earns a solid 10/10 in my experience, proving to be a win-win scenario.... Read 916 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $8,370

• SAT range —

• Chula Vista, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 4.89 out of 5  9 reviews

Graduate Student: What I love from UEI Collage it’s that they improve your skills every day of school, Every day it’s different content that makes you be more ready, concentrated to learn something new. Doing the hands on it’s pretty fun and it’s easier to learn that way, Every question you have you can ask with no problem and teacher are always ready to help you in everything.... Read 9 reviews

• grade unavailable

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $27,467

• SAT range —

• El Cajon, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  339 reviews

Junior: I’ve been at Cuyamaca for around 3 years now and it’s been great! The professors are amazing and many help a lot by providing their time to work through anything you’re struggling with in the class. The campus is great and they just did some renovations so the new buildings are really nice. The environment is very welcoming and open to help you out and give you insight to the next part of your journey, like transferring. There are many programs and clubs you can join in order to be part of the student life at Cuyamaca. I have also been to the Grossmont campus, and the professors there are amazing. Cuyamaca and Grossmont are sister schools so taking classes on both campuses is really common. I do enjoy taking classes at Cuyamaca because it’s very lively and they have so much to offer in their campus and the staff is really caring. Cuyamaca also has the Water Conservation garden that’s really nice to take a break in and explore. Overall a really nice school and recommend 100%.... Read 339 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $6,460

• SAT range —

• Oceanside, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Graduate Student: I absolutely love how inclusive and kind the staff can be. The entire time I was there I felt really supported and taken care of. From the students to the staff I felt like everyone was very welcoming.... Read 1 review

• grade unavailable

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $28,579

• SAT range —

• 2 Year (Online)

• •
  Rating 4.67 out of 5  3 reviews

Sophomore: Staff that assists enrollment, loan plans, and finding scholarships and Pell grants are phenomenal. I had a few options and chose CIAT because of its staff and affordability. My professors so far have been active, understanding, kind, and patient. I've not met with one that graded too harshly or didn't teach well. 10/10 place for a disabled single teen mom to attend online.... Read 3 reviews

• grade unavailable

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $38,243

• SAT range —

• National City, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Freshman: Advisors and everyone has been very helpful and has been able to assist me through my journey through school. School is online and you are able to test online or take the test within the campus whatever works for the student. Classes are Monday and Tuesday’s in the evening and can be viewed after if need be!... Read 1 review

• grade unavailable

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $21,921

• SAT range —

• San Diego, CA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.82 out of 5  17 reviews

College Senior: My experience at ATC has been pleasant. I have experienced many trials unrelated to school, but ATC worked with me and were always very helpful. I love the small class size, I was always able to get one on one instruction if I needed it.... Read 17 reviews

• grade unavailable

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $21,620

• SAT range —

• Escondido, CA•

• 2 Year

• grade unavailable

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price —

• SAT range —

• Poway, CA•

• 2 Year

• grade unavailable

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price —

• SAT range —

• Vista, CA•

• 2 Year

• grade unavailable

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price —

• SAT range —