College tuition fees fell 0.2% in Imperial County in the 2022-23 school year, according to the latest disclosure from the National Center for Education Statistics.
Data shows that students paid $1,395 on average to attend higher education courses at the time, less than the $3 charged for the previous school year.
Among the two institutions in the county, CET-El Centro stood out with the highest tuition fees, reaching an average of $15,500. Imperial Valley College followed with an average of $1,126 per year.
At the time, a total of $10.3 million in grants or scholarships were awarded to full-time undergraduates who started at the Imperial County universities in the 2022-23 school year. Additionally, federal student loans reached $33,981.
Undergraduate education costs have seen a significant increase over the past few decades. Data shows a 169% rise in the average total cost, including tuition, fees, room, and board, between 1980 and 2020.
According to a 2023 College Board report, in-state students at public universities paid an average of $11,260, while out-of-state students paid $29,150 in the 2023-24 academic year.
Meanwhile, student loan debt has steadily increased over the last 30 years, reaching $1.75 trillion in 2024, averaging a total of $28,950 per borrower. Federal loans make up 92% of the debt, with over half of students at both public and private four-year colleges graduating with student loans.
Available data sometimes exceeds 100% due to rounding and administrative calculations.
| Institution | Number of Students Receiving Grants | Total Amount of Grants Received | Average Amount of Grant Per Student | Number of Students Receiving Loans | Total Amount of Loans Received | Average Amount of Loans Per Student |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CET-El Centro | 79 | $1,048,884 | $13,277 | 5 | $33,981 | $6,796 |
| Imperial Valley College | 993 | $9,257,422 | $9,323 | 0 | $0 | $0 |
