West Valley College (WVC) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About West Valley College
Tucked into Saratoga's rolling foothills, West Valley College is known for a calm, leafy campus where a creek and shaded walkways set an easy rhythm for study. Teaching leans hands-on, with a reputation for attentive faculty and steady transfer guidance. Across liberal arts, business, design, tech, and health fields, coursework leans on clear writing, problem solving, and the kind of teamwork professors actually expect in the wild.
Students find an active hub in the library and learning commons, studios and labs, a theater, fitness spaces, and a busy student center. Support runs deep with tutoring, counseling, wellness services, and a career office that ties into the nearby tech corridor. Clubs, performances, and outdoor events keep the calendar full, and nearby trailheads invite quick study breaks. The culture feels friendly and unpretentious, with community ties that often show up as an on campus farmers market.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
West Valley College (WVC) offers 57 degree programs across 26 major academic fields, graduating approximately 2,118 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Liberal Arts (1 programs, 1,194 graduates), Social Sciences (6 programs, 236 graduates), Business (5 programs, 152 graduates), Communication (2 programs, 74 graduates) and Arts (8 programs, 64 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Liberal Arts (1 programs, 1,194 graduates)
Liberal Arts Education, General Studies and Humanities
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | 1,194 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
24.0101 |
Social Sciences (6 programs, 236 graduates)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economics | 175 |
|
Associate's
|
45.0601 |
| Sociology | 32 |
|
Associate's
|
45.1101 |
| Political Science and Government | 14 |
|
Associate's
|
45.1001 |
| Anthropology | 12 |
|
Associate's
|
45.0201 |
| Geography | 2 |
|
Associate's
|
45.0701 |
| Geographic Information Science and Cartography | 1 |
|
Other Award
|
45.0702 |
Business (5 programs, 152 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management | 144 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
52.0201 |
| Accounting and Bookkeeping Technology | 4 |
|
Other Award
|
52.0302 |
| Real Estate | 2 |
|
Other Award
|
52.1501 |
| Small Business Management | 1 |
|
Other Award
|
52.0703 |
| Business and Management Services | 1 |
|
Other Award
|
52.9999 |
Communication (2 programs, 74 graduates)
Media Communications, Journalism and Public Relations
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speech Communication and Rhetoric | 69 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
09.0101 |
| Radio and Television Broadcasting | 5 |
|
Associate's
|
09.0701 |
Arts (8 programs, 64 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interior Design | 28 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
50.0408 |
| Art Studies | 14 |
|
Associate's
|
50.0701 |
| Fashion and Apparel Design | 8 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
50.0407 |
| Theatre Arts | 5 |
|
Associate's
|
50.0501 |
| Music | 4 |
|
Associate's
|
50.0901 |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 2 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
50.0101 |
| Graphic Design | 2 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
50.0409 |
| Film and Media Studies | 1 |
|
Associate's
|
50.0601 |
Psychology (1 programs, 52 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Psychology | 52 |
|
Associate's
|
42.0101 |
Mathematics (1 programs, 40 graduates)
Mathematical Sciences, Statistics and Computational Analysis
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 40 |
|
Associate's
|
27.0101 |
Security & Safety (1 programs, 38 graduates)
Emergency Management, Law Enforcement and Public Safety
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice Administration | 38 |
|
Associate's
|
43.0103 |
Human Sciences (4 programs, 33 graduates)
Family Studies, Consumer Sciences and Human Development
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Child Care Provider and Assistant | 26 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
19.0709 |
| Child Care Management | 4 |
|
Other Award
|
19.0708 |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies | 2 |
|
Associate's
|
19.0501 |
| Apparel and Textile Manufacturing | 1 |
|
Associate's
|
19.0902 |
Law (1 programs, 32 graduates)
Legal Studies, Jurisprudence and Professional Law Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legal Assistant and Paralegal | 32 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
22.0302 |
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about West Valley College (WVC)
How much does it cost to attend West Valley College (WVC)?
The annual tuition at West Valley College (WVC) is $1,490 for in-state students and $9,320 for out-of-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $2,642 for in-state students and $10,472 for out-of-state students. Additional costs include room and board $21,452 (off-campus) and books and supplies $1,152.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does West Valley College offer?
West Valley College (WVC) offers 57 academic programs across 26 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Certificate (1-2 yrs), Certificate (≥2 yrs), Associate's, Other Award.
Most popular program areas include:
- Liberal Arts Education, General Studies and Humanities (1 programs)
- Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies (6 programs)
- Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (5 programs)
- Media Communications, Journalism and Public Relations (2 programs)
- Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance (8 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at West Valley College?
West Valley College (WVC) provides financial aid to 11% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $6,166 and average loans of $3,155.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,320
- State/Local grants: $3,813
- Institutional grants: $2,401
- Federal loans: $3,155
The university supports 507 students with grants and 2 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for West Valley College graduates?
West Valley College (WVC) graduates earn a median salary of $41,764 after 6 years and $51,688 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $25,974 (25th percentile) to $81,444 (75th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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