
About
Gavilan College, located in Gilroy, California, was founded in 1919 and originally known as San Benito County Junior College. The school's service area was made to include San Benito County and southern Santa Clara County through the establishment of a community college district. The school moved to its main location in 1966, adding satellite campuses in Morgan Hill and Hollister over the years. The school provides high quality educational opportunities for residents of its service area through programs that are regularly reviewed and updated to ensure they meet modern standards and are relevant for current and future students.
Academics
Gavilan College is a comprehensive two year institution that offers academic and career training opportunities that allow students to accomplish their goals. Academic transfer programs offer students the opportunity to complete the first two years of a four year education, followed by applying for transfer to a four year institution in order to complete one's education and pursue a bachelor's degree. Transfer to UC and CSU system schools is made easier through agreements in place that guarantee admission if certain academic requirements are met. Career training programs are for individuals who wish to receive a specialized education in a high demand industry or field with the intention of pursuing long term employment upon completion. Programs are taught by experienced professionals and take between one and two years to complete, and upon completion result in a degree or certificate that demonstrates competency.
Programs offered include:
Admissions and Financial Aid
Gavilan College is an open enrollment institution that admits any individuals that are interested in enrolling by completing the application for admission, paying fees and tuition, and providing transcripts and test scores if available. Applicants must be at least eighteen years of age or have a high school diploma or equivalent for most programs. Students may be required to take a placement exam prior to enrollment. Additionally, students are encouraged to participate in orientation and to meet with a counselor to discuss program enrollment prior to their first semester.
Financial aid is available in the form of loans, grants and scholarships. Aid is awarded based on need which is determined by the information the student provides through their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which the school's financial aid department uses to construct an aid packet. Aid must be reapplied for each academic year due to potentially varying financial circumstances for a student and his or her family, and applications should be submitted prior to posted deadlines to ensure that funds are disbursed in a timely fashion.
Athletics
Gavilan College participates in intercollegiate athletics through the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA). Individuals participating in intercollegiate athletics have the opportunity to develop valuable skills, such as leadership, teamwork, and discipline while pursuing personal and team excellence against others. Interested individuals should submit the required forms necessary to tryout for a given team, and team members are expected to maintain a minimum passing GPA in order to participate.
Athletic programs offered:
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Football
- Soccer
- Softball
- Volleyball
Estimated Costs & Financial Aid
The average "out of pocket" cost of attendance, after any grants and scholarships are considered, is around $5,700. To calculate a more personalized cost visit the net price calculator. The figures listed below are for informational purposes only and do not represent current or future tuition, fees, and expenses.
Tuition & Fees Information
- Annual tuition estimates are:
- State Residents: $1,200-$1,400
- Out-of-State: $6,600-$7,925
- Part-time students are charged:
- State Residents: $46-$55 per credit unit
- Nonresidents: $260-$310 per credit unit
Financial Aid Details
The table below breaks down the types of financial aid, the percent of students receiving aid, and average amount of aid per student per year.
Percent of Students | Average Amount | |
---|---|---|
Any Financial Aid | 69% | - |
Receiving Grants & Scholarships | 68% | $4,647 |
Receiving Student Loans | 1% | $4,537 |
Admissions, Academics, & Student Services
Student Services
To help support students, Gavilan College may provide services to students including:
- Online course work available
- Remedial instructional courses
- Counseling assistance
Graduation & Transfer Rates
Many community colleges are not only a source of technical or career training but also a stepping stone for students to transfer-out to a 4-year college, therefore we have included both graduation and transfer rates below and how this school compares against other community colleges in Santa Clara County and the community colleges in California as a whole.
Gavilan College | Santa Clara County | California | |
---|---|---|---|
Graduation Rate | 25.0% | 36.6% | 24.3% |
Transfer-out Rate | 13.4% | 14.7% | 13.8% |
Programs Offered
The program list below is organized by areas of study. The programs that have a link will direct you to the program's profile page where you can learn more about education requirements and career pathways.

Get more information about the programs offered by Gavilan College by clicking the request information to the right.
(C) Certificate or Award | (A) Associate's | (B) Bachelor's | (M) Master's Degree | (D) Doctorate (PhD,...)
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- Biology (A, C)
Business and Marketing Studies
- Commerce (A, C)
- Bookkeeping (A, C)
- Administrative Assistant (A, C)
- Business Administration (A, C)
Communication Technology
- Prepress , Desktop Publishing and Digital Imaging Design (A)
Communications and Journalism
- Communications (A, C)
- Media Studies (A, C)
- Journalism
Computer and Information Sciences
- Computer Programming (A, C)
- Computer Graphics (A, C)
- Computer Networking (A, C)
- Data Entry and Microcomputer Applications (A, C)
- Information Technology (A)
- Computer and Information Systems Security (A, C)
Education
- Education, Early Childhood Special Education Programs (C)
Engineering
- Pre-Engineering
Engineering Technology
- Recycling Technology (A, C)
- Computer Aided Design (CAD) (A, C)
Family and Consumer Sciences
- Child Care Provider (A, C)
Foreign Languages and Literature
Health and Clinical Professions
- Health Preparatory Programs (A)
- Nursing (A, C)
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) (A, C)
- Medical Executive Assistant (A, C)
Interdisciplinary Studies
- Biological and Physical Sciences (A)
Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Liberal Arts (A, C)
- Humanistic Studies (A)
Mathematics and Statistics
- Math (A)
Mechanic and Repair Technology
- Aircraft Powerplant Technology (C)
- Aircraft Mechanic (A, C)
Personal and Culinary Services
- Cosmetology (A, C)
Recreation and Fitness Studies
- Kinesiology And Exercise Science (A)
- Physical Fitness Technician (C)
- Sports Medicine
Security and Protective Services
- Police Science (A, C)
Social Sciences
- Social Science (A, C)
- International Relations (A)
Visual and Performing Arts
- Art Studies (A)
- Drama and Theatre Arts (A, C)
- Music (A)
- Theatre Design and Technology
Other Community Colleges Nearby
The list of nearby schools has been selected by researching which schools offer similar programs to Gavilan College.
- Cabrillo College in Aptos, CA (20 miles away)
- Hartnell College in Salinas, CA (21 miles away)
- Evergreen Valley College in San Jose, CA (26 miles away)
- Monterey Peninsula College in Monterey, CA (31 miles away)
- San Jose City College in San Jose, CA (31 miles away)