Ventura College has been recognized as one of the Top 25 colleges in California with the best return on student investment, according to the Golden Returns report released by the College Futures Foundation in partnership with Michael Itzkowitz of the HEA Group. The study evaluated 327 community and career colleges across 12 regions in California, using the Price-to-Earnings Premium (PEP) metric—an analysis that compares net costs of college attendance with post-graduation earnings. The findings show Ventura College as a leader in delivering strong economic returns for its students, reflecting its commitment to affordable, high-quality education that leads to real-world success. This recognition underscores Ventura College’s mission to empower students—especially those facing the greatest barriers to opportunity—with education that fuels both personal growth and economic mobility.

“The value of this analysis lies not only in the stories it reveals about which institutions are driving economic mobility and which are falling short, but also in how those findings are used... Colleges must absorb this data and act on it to improve outcomes and deliver real return on investment for the learners they serve.” — Eloy Ortiz Oakley, President & CEO, College Futures Foundation

Ventura College is proud to be among the top institutions delivering on the promise of higher education by providing students with a pathway to brighter futures.