Hartnell College is a two-year community college that serves Salinas Valley in Monterey County, California. Founded almost a century ago as Salinas Junior College, the school was renamed in 1948 after the founder of California’s first post-secondary educational institution.
Hartnell College is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Students can pursue associate’s degrees or take advantage of opportunities to transfer to a four-year college or university, earn professional certificates and improve job skills and career prospects, or simply learn something new in their free time.
The college also offers distance learning opportunities, weekend study options, and part-time class schedules, and boasts high faculty salaries and a strong faculty tenure system (98% of full-time faculty are with tenure or working toward obtaining tenure), which attract quality educators.
Areas of study include Arts, Humanities, and Communication; Math and Science; Occupational Education; Physical Education and Athletics; Workforce and Community Development Center; Counseling and General Education; Educational Technology and Library Services; and Nursing and Health Sciences.
The largest number of degrees are awarded in liberal arts, followed by family and social work, nursing and emergency medicine, security and law enforcement, and therapy and counseling.
An Academic Senate comprised of elected representatives from the various academic divisions is considered the voice of Hartnell faculty in all academic and professional matters.
Most Popular Fields of Study
The top 5 fields of study completed at Hartnell College.
Hartnell offers open admission, accepting all qualified students. These include anyone who is over 18 years old, as well as anyone who has a high school diploma or has passed the equivalent (GED) test or the California High School Proficiency Exam. Current students of the K-12 system can also enroll with a completed Concurrent Enrollment Petition.
In general, new, new transfer, returning, and returning transfer student applications for full semester courses are accepted up to three months before the semester begins through the first week of class. It is important to apply early, as registration is based on a first-come, first-served basis, and classes tend to fill up quickly.
Applications may be downloaded and submitted online, or returned by mail or in-person to the Admissions & Records Office on the main campus, the King City Education Center, or Hartnell’s Alisal Campus facility for processing.
Financial Aid
For establishing tuition fees, students are identified as either residents or non-residents. Students qualify for resident status if they have lived in California as legal residents for at least a year prior to the first day of a new semester and can demonstrate an intent to continue to be a California resident. Some non-residents may be eligible for a non-resident tuition exemption if they have attended high school in California.
There are many financial aid opportunities aimed at making a Hartnell education more accessible for both resident and non-resident students. These programs are funded by both the government and private sources and include grants, work-study opportunities, scholarships, and loan programs.
Most scholarships are funded through contributions made by community groups, businesses, other foundations, and individuals to the Hartnell College Foundation.
Student Financial Aid Details
How many students use Financial Aid, and how much do they use?
Hartnell College 4831st for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best California scholarships and financial aid
Located in a medium-sized city, Hartnell is a commuter college, and on-campus housing not available. Its demographics are considered similar to other California community colleges, such as Folsom Lake College, Taft College, Santiago Canyon College, College of the Canyons, and Las Positas College.
Hartnell College has a large student population, with over 9,000 students enrolling each term and a high male-to-female ratio. The student body is very racially diverse and 52% Latino. Of the remaining 48%, 33% are White, 5% Asian, 5% Filipino, 3% Black, 1% Native American, and 1% from other minorities. A large portion of these students are considered “mature” students, meaning at least 40 years old, making it an attractive choice for adult learners looking to study in a comfortable, familiar environment.
Students can choose to participate in any of a number of clubs, including the Hartnell Fine Arts Club, International Students Association, MESA Rocket Club, and the Political Science Club.
Student Enrollment Demographics
How many students are enrolled at Hartnell College?
Hartnell College has an active athletics program, and quite a few Hartnell Black Panthers use their participation in various sports as stepping stones to their longer-term careers at four-year colleges and universities. In fact, most of Hartnell’s sophomore athletes move on, many of them with the help of some sort of financial package.
Demographics – Main Campus and Surrounding Areas
Reported area around or near Salinas, CA 93901
Surrounding community
Midsize city (inside urban area, pop. between 100,000 to 250,000)
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Salinas, CA 93901
p. 831-755-6700
w. www.hartnell.edu