District Facts

District Facts

Grossmont College Building 36 at sunset Cuyamaca College Student Services Building G daytime

Proudly Serving East County San Diego for 65 years

The Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District, which includes Grossmont College and Cuyamaca College, is the largest institution of higher education in East County. Grossmont College held its first classes in 1961, while Cuyamaca College opened in 1978. Guided by our mission, vision, and values, the District proudly serves nearly 30,000 students each semester. Both colleges offer hundreds of programs and student services tailored to meet diverse needs, while excelling in transfer, and providing premier career and workforce training for the region.

Commencement images from 2025

Our Students

Enrollment: 30,000  
Gender: 56% Female, 42% Male
First generation: 33%
Age: 24 and under: 63%, 25+: 37%
Full-time: 43%, Part-time: 57%
Over 1,000 Veteran and military affiliated students
53% Receive financial aid
Over 1,500 Students transfer each year 

Cuyamaca College

Cuyamaca College, ranked as “Best for Vets” and recognized for excellence in Black Transfer-Level Math Success, leads the region with the highest transfer admission rate to SDSU. Providing over 100 degrees and numerous certificate programs, the college offers specialized innovative green-energy programs in water/wastewater technology, along with automotive technology, engineering, graphic design, ornamental horticulture, and environmental health & safety management.

Grossmont College

Grossmont College has been recognized as a Champion of Higher Education for its Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) program, and a Top 100 Minority-Awarding College. Grossmont College offers more than 150 degree and certificate programs. Premier programs, such as applied AI, allied health, nursing, culinary arts, administration of justice, science, fine and performing arts, and drone technology, attract students from across the county.

Our District

Awards over 6,400 degrees and/or certificates each year
Leads the region in transfers to San Diego State University
Over 4,500 dual enrollment students
$1.3 billion economic impact on San Diego County
Over 2,700 personnel
A+ Bond Rating three years in a row

Community Partnerships and Distinctions 

  • The District high school partnership is an innovative educational partnership with Grossmont Union High School District, Mount Miguel Early College High School, Mountain Empire Unified School District, Helix Charter High School, Bostonia Global High School, and Steele Canyon Charter High School, that creates seamless pathways for students from high school to college.
  • The District’s award-winning Pathways for Adults in Career Training (PACT) Project assists adult learners in communities across East County with finding an educational pathway to well-paying jobs. Project partners include the United Domestic Workers, K-12 schools, libraries, medical providers, area non-profits, refugee-serving organizations, housing advocates, faith-based organizations, and labor allies.
  • The Foundation for Grossmont & Cuyamaca Colleges raises awareness and financial resources for our two colleges and their students. In 2025, the Foundation reached a $4 million endowment to fund the Promise Plus scholarship in perpetuity, providing scholarships for 500 students per year.
  • The District’s award-winning programs, employees, and facilities have consistently been honored by local, regional, state, and national organizations and partners.
  • East County voters approved Proposition V in 2012, which has allowed the District to make substantial upgrades at both Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges. The funding provided renovations at both campuses, for career training facilities, science, and allied health programs. While there are still needed repairs, the colleges continue to provide students and veterans with a quality education and set them up for career success.
  • The District engages with federal, state, and regional leaders in advocacy to better serve our students and communities, and proudly partners with local organizations such the East County Economic Development Council, the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation, the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce, and the San Diego & Imperial Counties Regional Consortium on local workforce development.