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Chaffey College

Rancho Cucamonga, CA

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Quick Facts

1883
Founded
Public community college
Type
13,568
Total Students
28,000
Undergrad
$1K
Tuition (In-State)
$11K
Tuition (Out-State)
$6K
Avg Net Price
Associate's Colleges
Classification
President: Henry D. Shannon, Ph.D.

Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education

About Chaffey College

Chaffey College: A historic, top-ranked community college empowering 28,000 students.

Chaffey College stands as a beacon of accessible higher education, nationally recognized as a top 10 community college by the Aspen Institute. With a profound dedication to equity, as highlighted by a generous $25 million gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, Chaffey is committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for its diverse student body. It actively provides pathways to success through its robust offerings, including comprehensive online education and a network of modern campuses.

Rooted deeply in California's educational history, Chaffey College began its journey in 1883 as a private agricultural college affiliated with the University of Southern California. This rich legacy of innovation and adaptation saw the institution evolve from its private beginnings, through a period connected to a high school district, to becoming an independent junior college. This enduring commitment to educational access and community service has defined its long-standing presence.

Academically, Chaffey College offers foundational two-year education, a vision that resonated with President Bill Clinton during his 1996 visit. Its online programs significantly extend its reach, ensuring learning opportunities for even more students. While its origins reflect a practical, career-focused approach to agriculture, today it serves a broad spectrum of educational needs, preparing students for university transfer or direct career entry.

Prospective students will discover a dynamic and supportive community, united by the Panther mascot. Chaffey provides state-of-the-art facilities across its main Rancho Cucamonga campus, along with branch campuses in Chino and Fontana, and plans for a fourth campus in Ontario. This expansion underscores the college's continuous effort to provide accessible, high-quality education close to home for the communities it serves.

Key Highlights

  • ✦Established in 1883, making it one of California's oldest higher education institutions.
  • ✦Named a Top 10 Community College in the nation by the Aspen Institute in 2017.
  • ✦Received a $25 million gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott in 2021 for its dedication to equity.
  • ✦Serves approximately 28,000 students across multiple campuses and a comprehensive online education program.
  • ✦President Bill Clinton visited in 1996 to announce a proposal to finance two years of community college education.
  • ✦Features multiple campuses including Rancho Cucamonga, Chino, and Fontana, with a fourth campus planned for Ontario.

Timeline

1883
Established in Ontario, California, by city founders George and William Chaffey.
1885
Opened as the Chaffey College of Agriculture through the University of Southern California.
1901
Financial troubles forced the school to close, and the building became Ontario High School.
1916
The Chaffey Junior College of Agriculture was added as a postgraduate department to the high school.
1922
A separate junior college district was created.
1960
The current Rancho Cucamonga campus opened.
1996
The Fontana campus opened; President Bill Clinton visited Chaffey.
1999
Chaffey launched its online education program.
2002
The Chino campus was built following voter approval of Measure L.
2017
Named a top 10 community college in the nation by the Aspen Institute.
2021
Received a $25 million gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott.
🏛️
143 Years
of Excellence

Leadership

Henry D. Shannon, Ph.D.
President

Data from Wikipedia – CC BY-SA 4.0

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