Irvine Valley College (IVC) has been recognized as one of California’s top-performing institutions for return on investment (ROI), ranking #13 out of 327 community and certificate-granting colleges statewide in a groundbreaking new study by College Futures Foundation and The HEA Group.
The Golden Returns: A Regional Look at the Return on Investment (ROI) of California’s Community and Career Colleges report analyzes how quickly students are able to recoup their net costs after attending college, based on data from more than 1.2 million students. IVC was one of only 25 institutions statewide—23 of which are California Community Colleges—where students can recoup their costs in six months or less.
“This recognition is a testament to Irvine Valley College’s deep commitment to student success and economic mobility,” said Dr. John Hernandez, IVC President. “We are proud that our academic and career education programs are not only high quality but are also delivering strong returns for students and families. This validates our intentional efforts to advance the economic and social mobility of our students, to align programs with local workforce needs, and to ensure every student has a path to opportunity. From our nationally recognized transfer success to our career education pathways leading to livable wages, IVC has consistently fulfilled its promise to be a catalyst for individual advancement and regional economic growth.”
The Golden Returns study highlights sharp disparities across California’s regions, noting that students’ access to upward mobility often depends on where they live and which institutions are nearby. IVC’s top ranking within the Orange County region reflects both its academic excellence and its responsiveness to the needs of local employers.
College Futures Foundation President and CEO Eloy Ortiz Oakley emphasized the report’s aim to provide actionable data for students, institutions, and policymakers. “We need to unlock opportunity with data transparency to provide more value for more learners in more places, especially in regions and communities that have long been underserved,” said Oakley.
Dr. Hernandez added, “At IVC, we see data like this as both confirmation and motivation. It confirms that our students are gaining real economic value from their education and this motivates us to keep evolving and innovating to meet the needs of tomorrow’s workforce.” The full Golden Returns report, including methodology and rankings, is available at College Futures.