Nestled in the hills above Whittier, the Río Hondo Community College District was created in 1960. Río Hondo College officially opened its doors for instruction in 1963. The school celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2013.

As a comprehensive community college, Río Hondo offers many strong career workforce programs. These programs include nursing, fire and police academies, automotive and alternative fuels, a full transfer curriculum, and basic skills courses and services. The College also offers a variety of community service programs on campus and at satellite locations.

Río Hondo’s Student Population

Río Hondo has developed an impressive educational complex that enrolls approximately 20,000 students per semester.

The student body reflects the diversity of the surrounding communities. Student representation is approximately:

  • 67.2% Hispanic 
  • 10.2% White Non-Hispanic
  • 9.7% Unknown 
  • 8.1% Asian
  • 2.2% African-American
  • 1.4% Filipino
  • 0.8% Multi-Ethnicity
  • 0.2% American Indian/Alaskan Native
  • 0.1% Pacific Islander

The Communities Río Hondo Serves

The Río Hondo Community College District encompasses several communities in the southeast section of Los Angeles County. It’s a dynamic urban and suburban area that includes commercial, industrial, and educational institutions and enterprises.

The primary communities are El Monte, Whittier, South El Monte, Pico Rivera, Santa Fe Springs, and Los Nietos. The nearby communities of Norwalk, La Mirada, Downey, La Puente, and the city of Industry are also an integral part of the district. The area provides easy access to diverse cultural, recreational, and ethnic opportunities.

Río Hondo’s Current Budget

The Río Hondo Community College District’s current general fund budget is approximately $77 million. That includes several state and federal grants that fund a variety of innovative college projects.

New construction on campus is underway, made possible by a $245 million bond measure. Phase 1 is nearly complete, and plans are underway for Phase 2.

The district currently employs nearly 1,000.